Choosing the Best Streaming Service

Balancing the Correct Combination of Devices and Content Sources Based on Your Viewing Preferences 

- Michael Heiss

Video streaming exists in a complex media environment where cable and traditional overthe-air (OTA) TV remain viable options despite the trend to cord cutting. In parallel with a plethora of sources, there is a growing number of streaming devices to consider, with Apple TV, Google’s Chromecast, and Amazon’s Fire TV remaining the clear leaders. The ideal combination of content sources and services will always vary based on individual preferences and needs, but I will do my best to lay out the current set of options and alternatives.

Obviously, everyone has different viewing habits and content preferences. Regardless of how many apps that a connected TV (CTV) or device has, none offers everything. Thus, the first step is to figure out which services you want and to see if they are available on your device of choice. For example, some local broadcast station apps are available on all platforms, but others are not. The same applies to some of the apps from cable companies such as Spectrum and Comcast. For example, I use the Spectrum app on Roku devices for some of the TVs in my house so that I don’t have to pay for an extra cable set-top box. I can also do that with my Apple TV 4K, but not with Android TV powered devices such as a Chromecast/Google TV, the Nvidia Shield, or with Fire TV products.