The best of the streaming services

Breaking down students’ favorite streaming platforms

In a world of media variety and streaming services galore, Trinity students watch more than just HBO Max’s hit “Euphoria.”

Although the drama-filled, engaging, and sometimes controversial stories that “Euphoria” portrays gain lots of viewers, the show announced that there will not be another season until 2023 or 2024. Until then, streaming services have so much to offer.

Netflix

Hailey Arias, a first-year neuroscience major, said that her most used streaming services are either Netflix or Disney Plus. She said that she loved watching Netflix’s “Anne with an E.”

Netflix’s original series, “Anne with an E,” ended back in 2019 and stars Amybeth McNulty. It was adapted from Lucy Maud Montgomery’s novel, “Anne of Green Gables.” Netflix has found great success in the original series that they have released, but they did not start releasing original content until 2013.

Andrew Tyler, a first-year psychology major, said that his most-used streaming service is Netflix and that his favorite show is “Breaking Bad.” Starring Bryan Cranston, “Breaking Bad” ran from 2008-2013 on AMC and is now offered to stream on Netflix. The show won 16 Primetime Emmys throughout its run and is a household name.

Araceli Gonzalez, a junior sociology and Spanish double major, said that she uses Hulu and Netflix the most out of all the streaming services.

“My favorite show on Netflix? It has to be ‘Gilmore Girls,’” Gonzalez said.

Lauren Graham and Alexis Bledel led the WB’s 2000-2007 show, “Gilmore Girls.” Since it was put on Netflix, it has gained a large following that may have never found the show had it not been available to stream.

Junior political science major, Hannah Currie, said that her favorite streaming service is Netflix and that her favorite show is “Lucifer.”

Lucifer ran its first three seasons from 2016-2018 on Fox, and after Fox canceled it, Netflix picked it up for a fourth season. The show ran for another three seasons on Netflix, finishing with season six in 2018.

Netflix launched back in 1997 as a mail-based rental business, and starting in 2007, it became the initial form of the streaming service most people are familiar with today. Netflix’s original titles have gained much critical acclaim, including 44 Emmy wins in 2021 alone. Netflix’s “Basic” monthly subscription plan sits at $9.99/month.

Hulu

Arias also mentioned liking Hulu’s original series “The Great.”

“The Great,” a Hulu original that is ongoing, stars Elle Fanning and Nicholas Hoult, both of whom are twice nominated for Golden Globes for their roles in the show.

Gonzalez said that she also uses Hulu quite a bit.

“On Hulu, I started watching ‘Good Trouble,’” she said.

“Good Trouble” is a show whose episodes are put on Hulu the day after they air on network TV. Starting back in 2019, the show is on its fourth season and airs on Freeform.

Hulu started primarily as a source to stream network TV episodes after they had aired, but since its 2007 launch, Hulu has become a hub for movies and television. Hulu offers a student discount of $1.99/month, which is a killer deal compared to their $6.99/month original price.

Disney Plus

Newer to the streaming service realm is Disney Plus, which launched in 2019. Disney Plus provides access to nearly all Disney-owned content, including Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars and of course, Disney originals. Its monthly subscription costs $7.99/month.

HBO Max

The streaming service that hosts “Euphoria,” HBO Max, is also a popular streaming service. Launched in May 2020, HBO Max has established itself by hosting popular titles and creating its esteemed collection of original, award-winning content. HBO original shows such as “Succession,” which has won nine Primetime Emmy Awards, and “DC’s Peacemaker” raked in tons of viewers for their weekly releases of episodes on HBO Max. An HBO Max subscription costs $9.99/month.

Ben Turbow, a junior cellular and molecular biology major, said that his favorite streaming service is HBO Max.

“I’m a big ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’ fan,” he said.

There are countless other streaming services, many of which offer discounts to students, including Paramount+’s 25% off discount, Amazon Prime’s 6 months free and then 50% off discount and Apple TV+ free with a $4.99/month Apple Music subscription.

As students embark on their spring semester post-spring break, many will turn to streaming services to watch movies and TV shows. Although Trinity has many nearby movie theaters, curling up in the comfort of your own dorm can be the perfect place to watch a movie. Streaming services provide that option to students, and their large libraries of content allow students to watch nearly whatever they please.