It’s a ‘golden age of telly’, they say, but it’s one where we don’t really need a telly at all. With the rise of Netflix, Amazon Prime and more, you can cut the cord from that glowing box in the corner of your living room and get streaming. Read on to discover which of the world’s greatest services are bang-on for all your audio-visual needs.
Netflix
For the guy who...
Enjoys forming his Saturday afternoon plans based around what’s on the box.
In a nutshell...
Such is its ability to flex its big ol’ brand guns, Netflix has become a byword for streaming in general. Most conversations about good telly shows end with the question, “So is it on Netflix?”
Pros...
You do get a lot of binge-watching for your buck. From blockbuster “Netflix originals” like Orange Is The New Black and Daredevil to obscure documentaries about 9/11 conspiracies, there’s enough to fuel your insomnia for years to come.
Cons...
Sometimes deciding what to watch on Netflix takes longer than the time it takes to roast a chicken. Plus you can't download shows, so no WiFi = no telly.
Price...
£6.99 a month
Watch this now...
House of Cards – both the recent US smash hit and the original British version are live on Netflix.
Vimeo
For the guy who...
Has moved on from finding “Star Wars kid” funny.
In a nutshell...
Since YouTube’s descended into an open sewer for the internet’s viral turds, Vimeo has slowly gained a rep for hosting creative, cool and actually entertaining content. Short films, cools docs, all that jazz.
Pros...
No adverts. NO ADVERTS. Plus, all the cool kids turn to Vimeo to preview their stuff and flog their wares – like Rihanna and that recent mucky video of hers.
Cons...
Vimeo’s quality controls make it quite picky about what’s hosted, so sometimes you’ll have no choice but to pop back to YouTube.
Price...
Free (unless you’re a business)
Watch this now...
No Seasons, a documentary series featuring mad stories from life growing up in Miami.
Amazon Prime
For the guy who...
Uses Amazon a lot.
In a nutshell...
One day we’ll be buying all our food, clothes and probably oxygen from Amazon. For now, it’s slowly beefing up its streaming operation to include blockbuster hits, good box sets and old Beeb classics.
Pros...
Amazon Prime is nowhere near as unwieldy as Netflix, and you’ll get less of the feeling that its films were in the cinema when people still drove Model T Fords.
Cons...
Some of their original commissions have been questionable, and it lacks some of that ballsy Netflix stardust.
Price...
£79 a year.
Watch this now...
Stinky Pete, an Amazon pilot that shows a bit of promise. (Bryan Cranston’s in it too).
Yahoo! Screen
For the guy who...
Can’t find anything on his subscription services, but doesn't want to pay for a new one.
In a nutshell...
Yahoo’s little version of YouTube combines an on-demand service with the ability for viewers to upload their own content.
Pros...
It has a good labeling system for breaking down the best of the internet into digestible chunks, as well as features like “BuzzFeed picks” if you want your hand held.
Cons...
It’s a bit like the DVD section at your local library. But, y’know, it is free.
Price...
Free.
Watch this now...
Community – Yahoo! snaffled the cult sitcom to show it free after NBC axed it.
BBC iPlayer
For the guy who...
Loves the NHS, and belts out “God Save The Queen” every morning.
In a nutshell...
We all know what it is, and it’s definitely worth dipping into iPlayer frequently to remind yourself that the Beeb’s trusty old streaming service is pretty decent.
Pros...
You can download and keep content for a month – handy for when you've got a nine-hour National Express journey ahead. Plus there’s often loads of films on there.
Cons...
It’s only BBC programmes, obvs. However, there have been hints that could change one day. Ooooh!
Price...
Free.
Watch this now...
Miranda Christmas Special. Only joking – there’s always loads of good stuff on there, but it largely depends what’s been on this week. Some of its iPlayer-exclusive content, like the Matt Berry Does… comedy shorts, is avaiable for longer.
Blinkbox
For the guy who...
Doesn’t want to take out a loan to subscribe to Sky, but quite fancies Sky Atlantic.
In a nutshell...
Blinkbox is kinda going for the “online Blockbuster Video” vibe, with more up-to-date flicks than its rivals.
Pros...
It’s handy to be able to (legally) find all of HBO’s wonderful wares in one place and pay on an episode-by-episode basis.
Cons...
With no regular subscription, it can get pricy once you're racking up £4.49 movies on a rainy Saturday.
Price...
From 99p per thing.
Watch this now...
Veep. Seasons 1-4 are online now, and on special offer at time of publishing.
