Streaming services offer viewers an on-demand source for all sorts of video content, including TV programs, movies, and plenty of other kinds of media. Now more than ever, people rely upon these online services to watch their favorite shows. The selection of programming could range from a library of older shows and movies to the latest live events.
What Are the Benefits of Streaming Services?
Accessible with internet-connected computers, phones, and TVs, these streaming service apps can provide a better option than old-fashioned cable. With Hulu, YouTube TV, Sling, and many others to choose from, viewers can almost always find something good to watch.
What Are the Pros and Cons of YouTube TV, Sling TV, and Hulu + Live TV?
Lots of times, people join one streaming service or another because of a particular show or channel they want to watch. Sometimes, viewers can find shows on more than one platform. These days, even traditional networks release programs to either their own app or third-party services.
In other words, multiple services might carry some of the same programming, so it’s also important to figure out which one can also provide the best overall experience. Take a look at three services that provide a selection of channels, large libraries of content, and live broadcasts.
YouTube TV
Lots of people associate YouTube with the free video site that Google owns. Users can still access YouTube for free; however,
YouTube TV refers to a streaming service with about 85 channels and access to unlimited DVR in the cloud.
According to TechRadar, YouTube TV excels when it comes to live programming. The service currently costs $64.99 a month to join and has a free trial.
Sling TV
DISH, the satellite service, introduced
Sling TV. Viewers can first choose between Sling Orange or Sling Blue. These options each provide viewers with somewhat different channel lineups for $30 a month, plus they have a three-day free trial. The typical packages include plenty of basic cable stations, like CNN, Fox, and ESPN.
They also have add-on packages that can help viewers customize their service for an extra $5 a month. Each package has a theme, such as Latino programming or sports. As a note, TechRadar also noted Sling TV as a good choice for sports enthusiasts.
Hulu + Live TV
Most people already know about the regular streaming services from Hulu. They have a cheaper ad-supported level and a slightly more expensive option for those who prefer not to watch ads.
For a better comparison with the streaming services listed above, look at
Hulu + Live TV. This includes the streaming library of the basic services and access to more than 65 channels for $54.99 a month. Hulu + Live TV also includes up to 50 hours a month of DVR and has optional upgrades for such premium channels as HBO Max, Showtime, and more.
How Many Streaming Services Are There?
This brief overview only covered three fully featured streaming services.
According to Flix, people in the US have over 200 choices. Since lots of networks and cable channels have started their own services, this number will probably grow in the future. Of these 200 services, about 20 include live TV. People who want to use a streaming plan to substitute for cable TV will probably find a live service more satisfying.
How Do People Access Streaming Services?
Most of these services have apps that people can use on connected devices like laptops, tablet computers, mobile phones, and of course, smart TV sets. Viewers with older TV sets can usually still access the apps by buying a streaming device that plugs into a slot on their TV.
Once subscribed to a service, the member can usually find apps for multiple devices, so they can choose between watching on a TV or even their mobile phone. That means that the kids can watch children’s programming on the TV in the family room in the afternoon. Later, Mom and Dad can login to the same service to watch a movie in their bedroom on a tablet after the kids have gone to sleep.
How to Protect Phones, Computers, and Smart TVs
With all of the choices for programming available through streaming services, people tend to rely upon their devices even more than they used to. An extended warranty from
Upsie can make all the difference when the device fails to function as it should or in some cases, suffers from accidental damage.
Almost always, stores and online retailers offer extended warranties at the time of purchase. However, prudent consumers will take the time to
learn about extended warranties before they get pressured to buy one at checkout. There’s no need to succumb to pressure to buy an extended warranty at the counter. Upsie lets customers purchase protection online after they make a purchase.
Also, Upsie makes buying protection as easy as
visiting the extended warranty page, clicking the kind of device or appliance, and then filling out a few boxes on an online form. After purchasing a warranty, customers simply need to activate it by uploading a receipt. Once activated, the customer has a 24/7 line to call and make a claim. Depending upon the device and type of claim, customers might have the option of in-home, mail-in, or local repairs.
Streaming services can provide an affordable way to access plenty of incredible streaming content, and Upsie gives consumers an affordable way to keep their devices protected.
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