Best Streaming Services UK: Top Picks for TV Shows in 2024

Best Streaming Services UK: Top Picks for TV Shows in 2024

The UK streaming landscape is a vibrant battleground, with a plethora of services vying for your attention and subscription fees. Navigating this crowded market can be overwhelming. This guide provides a detailed look at the top streaming services in the UK for TV shows in 2024, considering factors like content library, pricing, user experience, and device compatibility, helping you find the perfect fit for your entertainment needs.

Netflix UK: The King of Content (But At a Cost)

Netflix remains a dominant force, boasting a vast and diverse library. Its strength lies in its original content, often setting the trend for what’s popular.

• Content Highlights: Netflix Originals are a major draw. Shows like “The Crown,” exploring the British monarchy, and “Sex Education,” a coming-of-age drama with a British setting, have garnered international acclaim. Beyond British-centric content, globally popular series like “Stranger Things,” “Bridgerton,” “Squid Game,” and “Wednesday” ensure a constant stream of engaging viewing. Netflix also invests heavily in documentaries, stand-up comedy specials, and a growing anime library. Recent additions like “Fool Me Once,” a Harlan Coben adaptation filmed in the UK, showcase their continued commitment to local productions.
• Strengths:
  • Vast Library: A massive selection of TV shows, movies, documentaries, and more.
  • Original Content: High-quality, award-winning original series.
  • User Interface: Intuitive and easy to navigate, with personalized recommendations.
  • Offline Downloads: Download content to watch offline on mobile devices.
  • Multiple Device Support: Compatible with a wide range of devices, including smart TVs, smartphones, tablets, and gaming consoles.
  • 4K HDR Streaming: Available on higher-tier plans.
• Weaknesses:
  • Price: Netflix’s pricing has increased over time, making it one of the more expensive options.
  • Content Rotation: Licensed content can be removed from the platform, which can be frustrating.
  • Standard Plan Limitations: The standard plan no longer includes HD streaming, forcing users to upgrade for better picture quality.
• Pricing: Netflix offers several tiers, with varying features and streaming quality. The Basic plan, with ads, is the cheapest. Standard offers HD streaming on two devices. Premium provides 4K HDR streaming on four devices and includes spatial audio.
• Best For: Users who want a large and diverse library, are interested in original content, and are willing to pay a premium price.

Amazon Prime Video: Value for Money and a Growing Catalogue

Amazon Prime Video is bundled with Amazon Prime membership, making it a cost-effective option for those already subscribed to Amazon’s other services. Its TV show offering has significantly expanded in recent years.

• Content Highlights: Prime Video boasts a mix of original content and licensed series. “The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power” is a major investment, aiming to capture the fantasy audience. British-made shows like “Good Omens,” “The Grand Tour,” and “Clarkson’s Farm” resonate with UK viewers. “Reacher,” an action-packed series based on the Jack Reacher novels, has also been a hit. Prime Video also offers a selection of classic British TV shows and a growing library of international content.
• Strengths:
  • Price: Included with Amazon Prime membership, offering excellent value.
  • Growing Original Content: Increasing investment in high-quality original series.
  • X-Ray Feature: Provides information about actors and music playing on screen.
  • Offline Downloads: Download content to watch offline.
  • Multiple Device Support: Compatible with a wide range of devices.
  • 4K HDR Streaming: Available on select content.
• Weaknesses:
  • User Interface: Can be cluttered and less intuitive than Netflix.
  • Content Availability: Some content is only available for purchase or rent.
  • Channel Add-ons: The option to add channels can be confusing and increase the overall cost.
• Pricing: Included with Amazon Prime membership, which also includes free delivery and other benefits.
• Best For: Users who are already Amazon Prime members, want a cost-effective streaming option, and are interested in a mix of original and licensed content.

Disney+ UK: The Home of Disney, Marvel, Star Wars, and More

Disney+ is the go-to streaming service for fans of Disney, Marvel, Star Wars, Pixar, and National Geographic. It offers a vast library of family-friendly content and a growing selection of adult-oriented shows and movies under the Star banner.

• Content Highlights: Disney+ is the exclusive home to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and the Star Wars franchise, offering a plethora of movies and TV shows. “The Mandalorian,” “Obi-Wan Kenobi,” and “Andor” are popular Star Wars series. Marvel shows like “WandaVision,” “Loki,” and “Moon Knight” expand the MCU narrative. The Star banner includes more mature content, such as “Only Murders in the Building” and “The Bear.” Disney classics and Pixar animated films are also readily available.
• Strengths:
  • Extensive Library of Disney, Marvel, and Star Wars Content: A must-have for fans of these franchises.
  • Family-Friendly Content: A safe and reliable option for families with children.
  • High-Quality Streaming: Offers 4K HDR streaming on select content.
  • Offline Downloads: Download content to watch offline.
  • GroupWatch Feature: Allows users to watch together remotely.
• Weaknesses:
  • Limited Original Content Outside of Core Franchises: While Star is expanding the offerings, the focus remains heavily on Disney, Marvel, and Star Wars.
  • Price Increase: Disney+ has increased its pricing since launch.
• Pricing: Disney+ offers a single subscription plan with access to all content and features.
• Best For: Families with children, fans of Disney, Marvel, and Star Wars, and those looking for a reliable source of family-friendly entertainment.

NOW (formerly NOW TV): Flexible Entertainment Passes

NOW offers a flexible way to access Sky’s content without a long-term contract. It provides different “passes” for entertainment, movies, sports, and reality TV.

• Content Highlights: The Entertainment Pass provides access to Sky’s original dramas, such as “Succession,” “House of the Dragon,” and “Chernobyl.” It also includes content from HBO and other channels. The Cinema Pass offers a selection of movies, including recent releases. The Sports Pass provides access to Sky Sports channels. The Hayu Pass focuses on reality TV.
• Strengths:
  • Flexibility: No long-term contract required.
  • Access to Sky Content: Offers access to Sky’s original dramas and movies.
  • Variety of Passes: Choose the pass that best suits your interests.
• Weaknesses:
  • Lower Streaming Quality: Streaming quality is limited to 720p on the standard pass, requiring an upgrade for 1080p.
  • Limited Offline Downloads: Offline downloads are not available on all passes.
  • Can Be Expensive: Subscribing to multiple passes can be costly.
• Pricing: NOW offers different passes at varying prices.
• Best For: Users who want access to Sky’s content without a long-term contract, are interested in specific genres (e.g., sports or movies), and are willing to pay for individual passes.

BritBox UK: The Best of British TV

BritBox is a streaming service dedicated to British television, offering a vast library of classic and contemporary shows from the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, and Channel 5.

• Content Highlights: BritBox is a treasure trove for fans of British TV. It features classic shows like “Doctor Who” (classic series), “Fawlty Towers,” “Only Fools and Horses,” “Downton Abbey,” and “Coronation Street.” It also includes contemporary dramas and comedies, as well as original commissions. Recently, Britbox has started to feature more original programming, co-produced with other broadcasters.
• Strengths:
  • Extensive Library of British TV: A must-have for fans of British television.
  • Classic and Contemporary Shows: Offers a mix of classic and contemporary content.
  • Original Commissions: Increasing investment in original programming.
• Weaknesses:
  • Limited Appeal to Non-British Viewers: Primarily caters to viewers interested in British TV.
  • Streaming Quality: Streaming quality may not be as high as other services.
• Pricing: BritBox offers a single subscription plan.
• Best For: Fans of British TV, those looking for classic British shows, and viewers interested in original British dramas and comedies.

Apple TV+: Quality Over Quantity

Apple TV+ is Apple’s streaming service, offering a smaller but curated selection of original TV shows and movies. It focuses on high-quality productions with well-known actors and directors.

• Content Highlights: Apple TV+ boasts a growing