7 Best Paid Streaming Services

Paid streaming services are some of the best ways to consume TV these days. The range of viewing is extreme and exciting. Finally, the days of going somewhere to pick up your viewing for the week are over. Now, it’s as easy as flicking on the TV and watching. You only have to enter your password once (usually) when setting it up, then never again! How easy is that!  

A huge benefit to paid streaming services include no ads. This means that running to put the kettle on in the ad breaks, or grabbing another bottle of red wine during the ad breaks are over. Now you get to control your viewing – you can grab another bottle whenever you want by simply pausing the TV! It also means that you can watch your TV shows right through without getting distracted by pesky ads.

In the early days of streaming, there was a huge divide over American streaming services, and Australian streaming services. The American streaming services were far more advantageous to the viewer, holding a larger variety of shows, and new seasons streaming earlier. They were run by the same company (e.g. Netflix), however, they were two different versions. A bit like sugar – American chocolate has more than Australian chocolate. Today, the cross-continental divide is over. Now, we have access to mostly everything on the American streaming services.

There is also no limit to how much you stream on your services. This means that no matter how much you watch, you’re not going to be charged more or less. This is great as routines change. Some days, you’ll watch a lot, some days you’ll be too busy to watch any at all.

The only downside is you must have a good Wi-Fi plan to support your viewing. If you have unlimited broadband (NBN or ADSL 2), this will be great to support your viewing. Netflix says that it takes usually about 1 GB to 3 GB per hour per device to stream. This changes on the quality of your stream. For a really low-quality stream which is practically unwatchable, it will take about 0.3 GB per hour. For below average streaming, 0.7 GB per hour. For average quality it will take about 1 GB per hour. Progressively, for excellent streaming (high definition) it’s up to 3 GB per hour and for incredible streaming, it’s up to 7 GB. Although the incredible streaming is ‘incredible’, it will be hard to notice the different unless you have great eyesight. It’s a bit like buying a Ferrari to drive every day instead of a Mazda – you can still only go 60km/h as the road prohibits you. In saying that, there are more services being streamed at this incredible quality so if you love high quality streaming that’s the one for you! By default, it will automatically adjust to the highest quality – which is okay! Unless you have a small data plan, this shouldn’t be a worry.

If your TV is older or isn’t a Smart TV, there are still options to allow it to connect to these streaming services. These include devices like an Apple TV, a Google Chromecast TV or an Amazon Firestick which attach directly to your TV and make it ‘Smart’. These affordable options are a great way to convert your TV. Greyology are experts in setting these up and would love to help you.

Of course, you can watch these on your other devices such as your iPad, Computer and even your phone!

You’ll find most are around the $10-$15 per month mark, and you cancel at any time, which means you could theoretically try every streaming service over a year for the price of around $150 – one per month! They usually offer a free trial too, so you can see try before you buy.

Here are the current offerings to access these paid streaming services:

1) Netflix

Netflix is what I consider to be the Original and the best. It has a large budget to acquire popular TV shows & movies, meaning it has most of the shows from the last 20 years. It also produces its own shows called Netflix Originals, which make for some quality viewing.

Greyology’s top recommendations: The Crown, After Life, Ozark

2) Stan

Stan is Australian streaming service owned essentially by Channel 9. It has become better and better over the years and I was a subscriber right from the start. It came to fame with Breaking Bad, and the rights to Better Caul Saul, the prequel. It also has a Stan Sports section, where you can stream various Sport.

Greyology’s top recommendations:  Yellowstone, Billie the Kid, Becoming Elizabeth

3) BritBox

BritBox is a great streaming service for British TV. If you’re a lover of period pieces, or some gripping crime drama, this one’s for you. It is loved by many of Greyology’s clients, and being owned by BBC, you can trust the quality.  

Greyology’s top recommendations: Vera, Line of Duty, Call the Midwife

4) Apple TV+

 Apple TV+ is relatively new to the scene. When purchasing Apple products, you might have had a three-month free subscription which you can use to get a good try of it! Apple TV+ has some great thought-provoking shows which are brilliantly shot. Apple TV+ uses top quality videography and the holistic quality is impressive. They only have a small range of shows, unfortunately.  

Greyology’s top recommendations: Ted Lasso, Severance, The Morning Show

4) Paramount Plus

Paramount Plus is also pretty new to the scene, founded in 2021. They have a backlog of shows which you’d find during off peak TV times (such as NCIS), being partnered with CBS. They have many shows, and have lots of shows that you couldn’t find elsewhere.

Greyology’s top recommendations: 1883 & 1923 (prequels to Yellowstone), Dexter (The original), The Chemistry of Death

5) Binge

Binge is a great streaming service, having great shows that once were only owned by Foxtel. This has reduced the price to get access to Foxtel, removing the need of the expensive barrier and built-in hardware. In the past few years, it has quickly become one of the best streaming services available, with a great variety of quality shows.

Greyology’s top recommendations: Game of Thrones, Happy Valley, The White Lotus.

6) Amazon Prime

Amazon Prime came into view in Australia when The Grand Tour (the new Top Gear) gained exclusive rights to it. It has some great left-of-field shows, and is very entertaining.

Greyology’s top recommendations: The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, The Grand Tour, Vanity Fair

7) Disney Plus 

Disney Plus is an excellent streaming service that has a wide variety of great shows. Shows which you’ve likely once had on DVD and movies which were Box Office hits. It has most of what Disney has produced over the years – Star Wars, the Marvel Universe and some enticing crime shows.

Greyology’s top recommendations: Body Of Proof, The Good Doctor, Secrets of Whales

These are the highlights of the current streaming services as of 2023. Before committing to one service, it’s worth considering which shows you’re interested in, and if your Wi-Fi can support it.

Need support to set up your services? Contact Greyology for personalised support in your area today.

Call Edin at 0401 018 615

info@greyology.com.au