Hey friend! Should You Join the Streaming Fun?

Streaming TV has exploded from a niche idea a decade ago to the norm for home entertainment today. I‘m sure you‘ve noticed how Netflix, Hulu and others have dominated cultural conversation.

But is paying yet another monthly bill for TV something you need?

I would bet decent money that a streaming service or five can add value to your life. Let me explain…

First, What is Streaming Anyway?

Simply put, streaming means watching movies and shows delivered over the internet versus traditional cable or broadcast.

Remember when Netflix started out mailing DVD rentals in those iconic red envelopes? Streaming took the same concept of unlimited on-demand content and removed the wait for delivery.

It took a while to catch on. As recently as 2008, only 12% of U.S. households streamed anything [1].

But by 2022, 80% of Americans regularly stream entertainment. That translates to 265+ million streaming subscriptions nationwide [2].

Globally, more households now subscribe to at least one streaming service (67%) versus traditional pay TV (53%) [3].

So in just over a decade, streaming has grown from an afterthought to the leader for video consumption.

With so many great options out there today, you‘re missing out if you haven‘t sampled the streaming waters yet!

*Global SVOD subscriptions set to pass cable TV*

But don‘t just take my word for it…

7 Reasons You Need to Be Streaming:

1. Convenience That Can‘t Be Beat

Over 80% of time spent streaming comes from mobile devices, laptops and PCs – not televisions [4]. This means people watch shows on their own schedules, during commutes, on lunch breaks or while traveling for work. No worrying about missing an episode or racing home to catch a premiere.

The average streaming session lasts 1-2 hours as we squeeze entertainment into our busy lives [5]. Such flexibility over when and where you tune in makes streaming irresistibly convenient.

2. Stories Worth Paying For

Yes, streaming libraries offer familiar classic shows and nostalgic sitcoms by the dozen. But People now subscribe mainly for buzzy original programming made exclusively for these platforms.

In fact, streaming services will funnel a ridiculous $140 billion into fresh content in 2023 alone [6]. That includes acclaimed series like Severance (Apple TV+), House of the Dragon (HBO Max) and Dahmer (Netflix), plus next seasons of popular favorites such as The Crown, Loki, Stranger Things and You.

Streaming exclusives now routinely sweep awards season and permeate workplace chatter. Don‘t get left out!

3. Something For Everyone

Between thousands of titles served up on-demand, shifting through options may seem daunting. Fortunately, today‘s streamers target a diverse range of tastes – ensuring quality choices for comedy nerds, sci-fi geeks, true-crime addicts, families and more.

A typical Netflix subscriber streams TV shows and movies across 10+ different genres [7]. This suggests people enjoy exploring streaming libraries knowing shows exist to match any mood or interest.

4. All Your Devices Supported

A major factor fueling streaming‘s rise is support across phones, tablets, computers, TVs and gaming consoles alike. Over 60% of time spent streaming now occurs on connected TVs and devices hooked up to the big screen [8].

So not only can you stream away from home, but all the shows you love integrate directly into existing home entertainment setups.

*Share of TV streaming via devices*

Compatibility across Apple, Android, Amazon Fire, Roku and most smart TV operating systems vastly expands access.

5. Downloadable Favorites

Here‘s a lesser-known but game-changing advantage streaming offers. You can download select movies, shows and episodes from top services to watch offline later without an internet connection!

Ideal scenarios include:

Flying on planes
Road trips (passengers only please!)
Public transportation commutes
Other situations lacking WiFi

Both Netflix and Disney+ now allow users to download 10+ hours of video per mobile device. Prime Video and HBO Max also support offline viewing on phones and tablets.

So even without connectivity, you need not miss your go-to comfort shows!

Pro Travel Tip: Download over WiFi whenever possible to avoid mobile data overages.

6. "Bundles" Save You Money

Subscribing to multiple services individually adds up quickly. Fortunately, smart bundles exist combining your favorite apps for less:

Disney Bundle – Get Disney+, ESPN+ and Hulu starting at $9.99/month (savings of $13/month)
HBO Max w/Ads – Includes bundled discovery+ essential for just $14.99/month
Apple One – Bundles AppleTV+ with Apple Music, iCloud storage and other services to save $6/month

If you split costs with family too, bundled deals make it cheaper per person to access more entertainment.

7. Crazy Accurate Recommendations

While channel surfing live TV feels like blindly throwing darts, smart algorithms personalize your streaming experience.

The more you watch, the better Netflix, Hulu, Amazon and others learn your favorite genres, actors, TV settings to dial-in eerily accurate suggestions. 75% of content watched flows from platform recommendations versus search [9].

Gone are days mindlessly flipping channels and stumbling onto hidden gems. Streaming services act like a best friend tailoring elite picks just for your unique tastes.

*Percent of content discovered via recommendations on streaming services*

Which Streaming Services Are Worth It?

I get asked this a lot. With new options launching all the time, choosing what platforms to subscribe to becomes its own complex decision.

Here is a comparison highlighting 5 top streaming services across key factors to determine best bang for your buck:

Service	Price	Library Size	Top Originals	Offline Viewing	Bundles
Netflix	$6.99 – $19.99/month	3,600+ movies 1,800+ shows	Stranger Things Wednesday Ozark etc.	Yes	Basic Standard Premium
Disney+	$7.99/month (with ads) $10.99 (no ads)	500+ movies 7,800+ shows	The Mandalorian Andor High School Musical etc.	Yes	Disney Bundle (Disney+/Hulu/ESPN+)
HBO Max	$9.99/month (with ads) $14.99 (no ads)	2,000+ movies, 600+ shows	Game of Thrones The Last of Us White Lotus Barry etc.	Yes, mobile only	N/A
Prime Video	Included with $14.99/month Amazon Prime	40,000+ movies & shows	The Boys The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel Thurs. Night Football etc.	Yes	Amazon Prime
Apple TV+	$6.99/month	50+ Apple Originals	Ted Lasso Severance The Morning Show Mythic Quest etc.	Yes	Apple One

As you evaluate costs for each platform, stack them up against your personal priorities:

Must-have programming only airing on specific apps
Channels and shows that provide nostalgia / background noise
Kids content to keep little ones occupied
New talked-about series fueling social conversations
Movies aligned with your favorite genre(s)
Sports coverage (NBA, NFL, MLB, etc.)
Reality shows matching your guilty pleasures

Monitor spending monthly. Add and drop services as new exclusives premiere or you catch up on certain libraries. Treat bundles as easy one-stop-shops.

Everyone‘s mix looks different. Observation of actual viewing patterns helps determine what brings you joy and relaxation during precious free time.

Stream On My Friend!

In case the explosion of bingeable shows wasn‘t sign enough – streaming is here to stay as the dominant form of entertainment.

Sure, costs add up subscribing to multiple apps individually. But taken together, the sheer breadth of movies, originals and exclusives prove well worth it.

Thanks to advances like mobile downloads, algorithmic recommendations and device support, no barrier should prevent you from streaming to your heart‘s content.

Hope breaking down its evolution and perks helps you make informed choices as a consumer. Stay tuned next for tips on how to cut the cord from cable for good!

Happy streaming!

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