A scene from Stranger Things, which was a hit on Netflix.Credit:netflix
Stan
What you get: Stan* is big on original local content. Some of the latest releases include Naked Tuesday, wolf like me and the Claudia Karvan series that returns To bump. But it also gets its fair share of international exclusives (think You better call Saul, RuPaul’s Drag Race and hacks) that can keep you hooked with a weekly viewing.
However, if you’ve gotten into some of the older TV shows, it’s worth checking to see if they’re on any of your other platforms as well. Tip: iconic and bingeable series like Office and Gossip Girl are also on Netflix.

The second season of Bump is now airing on Stan.
Last year, Stan also rolled out an additional sports package which is particularly useful for fans of rugby, football and tennis. Stan Sport broadcasts all Grand Slam tournaments live and on demand, and gives you exclusive access to all Super Rugby and UEFA Champions League matches.
What it costs: $10-$19 per month (plus an additional $10 if you want Stan Sport)
Disney+
What you get: All movies and TV shows from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars and National Geographic. This makes it a great choice for anyone with young children (it’s the only place you can stream hits like Lucas, Encanto and Frozen without paying any additional fees to rent or buy). But there’s plenty for adults to watch, too.

Ms. Marvel is one of several recent universe-expanding shows on Disney+.Credit:Disney+
Disney+ has been making a lot of noise lately with new expanding series like Mrs. Wonder and Obi Wan Kenobi. Additionally, since Disney also owns a majority stake in Hulu, it offers series like The Kardashians and Only murders in the building.
What it costs: $11.99 per month or $119.99 per year
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frenzy
What you get: The best bits of Foxtel… without paying for the full Foxtel experience. Binge offers a curated selection of movies and TV shows across all genres (as opposed to Foxtel Now, which forces you to choose “channel packs” that start at $25 per month).
The big draw for many viewers will be cheaper access to HBO content, including The staircase, barry and Dragon House (the next game of thrones prequel). HBO has long been considered the strongest prestige TV network, and Binge’s content deal with them means some of the most critically acclaimed shows will live there for the foreseeable future.
What it costs: $10 – $18 per month

House of the Dragon will premiere on Binge on August 22.Credit:HBO
Kayo
What you get: Access to all kinds of sports including AFL, Basketball, American Football and Rugby League. You can watch games live or on demand, and you’ll also have access to 13 sports channels, including Fox Sports and ESPN.
Kayo is owned by Streammotion, which is a subsidiary of Foxtel, but is much cheaper than a Foxtel sports package (it’ll cost you $74 per month or $59 per month on a 12-month plan). Unlike Stan Sport, however, it shows ads due to streams provided by some broadcasters.
What it costs: $25-35 per month

Kayo offers live and on-demand viewing of all AFL and AFLW matches. Credit:Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images
Amazon Prime Video
What you get: Prime Video offers its own original TV shows and movies (see: The boysThe summer when I became pretty) and a wider content library including Australian stand-up comedies and sports documentaries.
Since it is much cheaper than some other services, you can get what you pay for. But be careful once there: the platform also offers you the possibility of buying or renting certain films, including those still in the cinema (which can cost you $25-35).
What it costs: $6.99 per month or $59 per year

The Boys, our reviewer wrote, “makes the Avengers look like child’s play.”
AppleTV+
What you get: Apple TV+ has really stepped up its game over the last year or so, consistently delivering a slew of must-watch releases. It’s not just cute and cuddly Ted Lasso. The platform has attracted people with critically acclaimed dramas like Breakup and shiny girlsand it also became the first streaming platform to win Best Picture with its original film. CODA.
The bad news is that the platform doesn’t have a large library to dive into, so it can be hard to justify the cost once you’ve burned through your favorite show.
What it costs: $7.99 per month (or three months free when purchasing an Apple device)

Adam Scott plays a middle manager in the mysterious Lumon Industries in “Severance.”
Paramount+
What you get: Paramount+ is one of the latest platforms to enter the Australian market and is still build your library of original content. But, thanks to various content deals, it has a decent split between blockbuster movies, reality TV, comedy, drama, and sports.
It’s the only place you can watch some Showtime shows like yellow jackets, for example. And it also hosts series from Comedy Central, MTV and Nickelodeon. The sports offer is limited to football at this stage, but that might be enough for local fans. Paramount+ streams all A-League matches live and on-demand, plus most Socceroos and Matildas international matches.
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What it costs: $8.99 per month
But that’s not all…
There are also a handful of other streamers worth considering to find the right mix for you, especially if you have a niche interest. Horror buffs can check out Shudder ($5.99 per month). Reality TV obsessives have Hayu ($6.99 per month). News junkies can try Flash ($8 per month). And Premier League fans can watch on Optus Sport ($24.99).
And remember: SBS On Demand, ABC iView, 9Now, 7Plus and 10Play are all totally free. This might not be a bad place to start.
Discover the next TV series, streaming and movies to add to your must-haves. Get The Watchlist delivered every Thursday.
*Stan is owned by Nine, the publisher of this banner.
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