Best streaming services for coronavirus self-isolation from Netflix to Disney+
The current coronavirus pandemic has created chaos worldwide and the current advice in the UK is to social distance and stay at home as much as possible.
This means only one thing for many of us: a lot of streaming TV shows and movies.
Many of us will naturally turn to Netflix and some of the more obvious streaming services but there are quite a lot out there for us to sample.
Here is a guide to some of the best services that you can enjoy, including one that is due to out this month bringing a whole new range of content too: Disney+.
Coronavirus: Best streaming services for self-isolation from Netflix to Disney+
Netflix
Monthly price: £5.99 (SD, one screen), £8.99 (HD, two screens), £11.99 (HD and Ultra HD, four screens)
The world's biggest streaming service will no doubt have an influx of new users and subscribers in the coming weeks and months, and it's easy to see why.
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Netflix has provided a wealth of addictive original content with huge shows including the likes of prison drama Orange Is The New Black, sci-fi favourite Stranger Things, and recent thriller The Stranger.
It's not just television series either as Netflix has provided a wealth of original films too from popular hits such a Bird Box to prestige dramas like The Irishman and Marriage Story.
In addition to its own content, Netflix also streams a variety of imported and syndicated content, meaning you watch shows from all over the world along with old favourites from years gone by.
Amazon Prime Video
Monthly price: £5.99 (video only), £7.99
Annual price: £79.99
Amazon Prime Video comes as part of the Amazon Prime service which also enables access to books, music, and expedited delivery options.
For streaming, Amazon Prime has a wealth of material – particularly for film content which it, like Netflix, has also been producing itself with its film studio, including prestige dramas like The Report, Beautiful Boy, and horror Suspiria.
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They have also produced hit series like superhero show The Boys and dystopian drama The Man in the High Castle.
This streaming service also allows you to access other channels including Starz player and BFI Player (albeit at a slightly higher cost), enabling access to more quality series and films.
You can also watch along with friends with this add-on.
See here to get the service from £5.99 a month, or an Amazon Prime subscription is £79 a year, including free next day Amazon delivery and Amazon Music) – Amazon
NOW TV
Monthly price: £7.99 (Entertainment Pass), £11.99 (Cinema Pass)
Do you want the benefits of Sky channels like Sky Atlantic and Sky One then you're in luck!
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NOW TV allows live access and catch-up services for Sky channels, along with on-demand box sets for HBO television series like Westworld and Game of Thrones and other digital channels including G.O.L.D. The television shows and channels are available with the Entertainment pass.
Meanwhile, all the Sky Cinema channels and on-demand films are available with the Cinema pass, with recent additions including recent films like Toy Story 4 and Brightburn.
The options are quite expansive and then there are more recent cinema releases available through Sky Store.
Sky Store
There is no subscription price for Sky Store, instead, you can purchase to keep or rent film releases based on their own individual prices.
This will now include Universal Pictures releases from their recent theatrical runs and some upcoming cinema releases, including horror films The Invisible Man and The Hunt and Jane Austen adaptation Emma.
Stephen van Rooyen, EVP & CEO, Sky UK and Europe said: "We’re working hard at Sky to make sure we continue to look after our customers.
"We’re also introducing some things to help make life a little easier for anyone at home trying to work, stay connected to loved ones, or keep the family entertained."
Disney+ – from March 24
Monthy price: £5.99
Annual price: £59.99 (or £49.99 on limited offer)
The new streaming titan about to get in on the action is Walt Disney Studio's service, Disney+.
Launched in the US and some other territories in November, the service is finally coming to the UK on March 24 and will deliver many of the delights of Disney and Fox's back catalogue plus a host of new original content.
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New original shows include blockbuster Star Wars spin-off series The Mandalorian and the live-action adaptation of The Lady and the Tramp.
It certainly looks magical – get access to all Star Wars, Marvel, National Geographic and Pixar content too.
Apple TV
Monthly price: £4.99
Annual price: When buying an Apple device, a year's subscription is given
One of the globe's biggest tech giants launched its own streaming service last year with their own batch of original series including Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon show The Morning Show and Jason Momoa's See.
Unlike the other services there won't be other licensed content, with a focus instead on their original series.
You can still purchase films and series from the Apple Store, however.
BritBox
Weekly price: £5.99
The BBC and ITV have teamed up to provide a library of their content from years gone by and recent shows and films too.
It really is a catalogue of the 'Best of British' with classic comedies including Only Fools and Horses, long-running cult shows like Doctor Who, and crime shows like Broadchurch.
If you had a favourite series from one of these channels over the years, it's probably on here.
MUBI
Monthly price: £9.99
Annual price: £95.88
This is a streaming service with a difference when it comes to movies.
MUBI adds a film a day while removing one too, meaning there is a constant turn over of content and a real incentive to watch a film before they're gone.
Drawing on classic films, world cinema, indie, and art-house classics, there's a lot to watch here, from the works of Parasite director Bong Joon-ho recently getting a spotlight and new film Portrait of a Lady on Fire being released on the service next month.
There are curated sections too, meaning there are themes and strands to the content beyond genre too.
BFI Player
Weekly price: £4.99
In addition to a host of classic films, world cinema, art-house, indie, and classic British offerings that are made available with subscription, you can also rent more recent releases.
Such releases also include Kiera Knightley thriller Official Secrets and Ken Loach's gig economy drama Sorry We Missed You.
Curzon Home Cinema
Featuring cinema releases and other films from the distributor's back catalogue, Curzon Home Cinema lets your rent new prestige films like And Then We Danced and Daniel Radcliffe prison drama Escape from Pretoria.
What services are your favourites? Let us know in the comments below.
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