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This year, thedrama about streamingwas nearly as gripping as anythingonstreaming.
And yet they all still spent billions battling it out for the hearts and eyeballs of global viewers.
Last year, the service formerly known asHBO Max upset Netflixto claim our crown.
Methodology
Thefourfactorsthatdeterminedourranking.
Audience Impact
How many people are really watching?
Momentum
Whos experimenting and shifting the paradigm?
After two years of being a punchline, Peacockis rallying.
BlessPoker Face, one reality-TV executive says.
Between that andThe Traitors, they really made an impact and clawed their way up from the depths.
Industry Survey
Based on responses from 13 Hollywood and Wall Street insiders.
Nine members rated it tops, and none ranked it lower than third.
Vulture Critics
The most acclaimed content offerings (both new and library); awards love.
TheDisney+/Hulu combo came in second overall with our critics, thanks to the FX originals on that platform.
The Ranking
7.Paramount+
7.
Feels like theyre trying too hard to recruit viewers.
Sometimes it feels desperate.
Producer
The juxtaposition of Showtime content withRidiculousnessshows how unimpressive Showtime content always was.
TV agent
Of all the services, this feels the least necessary.
I cant wait to stream Paramount titles on Netflix, where so many of them end up.
TV executive
TulsaKingis fun, but they need 20Tulsa Kings.
Least-well-defined programming strategyand least-needed service.
Veteran data pipe executive
How many more Sheridan shows can one service have?
The lack of an exclusive library is costing them.
Studio executive
Right now, everyone there is just trying to keep their jobs as everything blends.
Maybe when the dust settles and the vision rises, Paramount+ will climb that mountain to a higher place.
Studio executive
6.Prime Video
6.
I dont see how the management team there can stand another lackluster year.
Studio executive
They need a major overhaul.
Producer
I wouldnt pay for Prime Video.
Wall Street analyst
Big swings and big misses keep this streamer always in the middle.
When your most-buzzed-about player isJury Dutyon Freevee, it may be time for a new Prime strategy.
I have a better relationship with my Amazon delivery guy than I do with Prime Video.
Producer
I still have no idea what makes a Prime Video show.
They spent 1B onTheLord of the Rings, which did not deliver itsGame of Thronesmoment.
Studio executive
All the puff pieces in the world cant disguise how uncompelling most of what they do is.
TV agent
Their movies are better than Netflix movies.
Consistently more movies that I actually want to watch.
Veteran connection executive
5.Peacock
5.
(Their Hallmark partnership surely didnt hurt matters, either.)
Reality-TV executive
Comfortably straddles web link fare and premium content.
Really growing on me.
Producer
Supplying filet mignonat sausage prices.
Single-handedly showing why the linear bundle is in trouble.
Wall Street analyst
I end up logging on for the occasional movie.
PR executive
Its slightly better than Paramount+, but it has Bravo and Universal films.
That gives it one hell of an advantage.
Wall Street executive
Peacock is just the last stop on the train for everyone from viewers to talent.
Studio executive
4.Apple TV+
4.
Producer
Takes big swings but feels a bit too cool for school.
TV producer
Very good product.
Wants to be HBO with its higher-end fare,but not really enough product or subs.Did anyone actually watchSeverance?
Producer
Second only to HBO Max in terms of destination viewing among the adults in our house.
The moneys up there on the screen, and the screen looks good.
PR executive
Its the streaming service thatTed Lassobuilt, but that foundation is getting shaky.
Apple TV+ is still struggling to build an identifiable brand.
But then I realize thats about it.
TV executive
3.Disney+/Hulu
3.
It needs a vision and a personality.
Integrating Hulu into one service and having ESPN make it well rounded but feels uninspired.
Studio executive
If youre not into the 14th Marvel andStar Warsspinoff, what are you really getting from it?
PR executive
Getting a bit derivative for my taste.
More often than not, they miss the mark.
Producer
They both still have a problem.
For Hulu, an identity.
For Disney+, a broader reach.
And FX on Hulu makes this a constant destination.
TV executive
Wrapping it all up was necessary.
Independent producer
2.Netflix
2.
Right now, the clear winner is Netflix.
Thats unlikely to change in the next few years.
The global focus sounds smart, but does letting it guide creative decisions pay off?
Producer
Still feels like the only true gotta have service.
Its a firehose of content.
Truly has something for everyone in the family.
Veteran data pipe executive
Scale seems to be all, and they have it.
Poststrike, do people still like them and want to sell there?
TV agent
Its part of the plumbing, as Steven Johnson might say.
PR executive
Netflix is like the warhorse now.
They intermittently put out must-see, prestige content, but it feels a little fewer and farther between.
But good golly, they sure put out too much.
It becomes white noise.
Its overwhelming and it becomes white noise.
From a scripted standpoint, I cant keep up.
Reality-TV executive
Their series and movies come and go so quickly without building buzz.
It knows what you watched and keeps feeding you more of it.
Studio executive
1.Max
1.
Maxs tagline is The one to watch; its also the one to beat.
Still, not sure it appeals to talentnot quite as premium as Youre on HBO.
Agent
Its the last one wed cancel, and it doesnt even haveDeadliest CatchorHome Townyet.
For the audience, probably not.
Maybe it will keep you from wandering over to Netflix for a mindless spin around the reality content.
They consistently deliver the most critical successes that have reached a wide audience.
PR executive
Easy to navigate.
Easy to track my viewing history.
Producer
The best content hands down.
Its old-fashioned appointment TV on Sunday nights with (gasp!)
Studio executive
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