Amazon’s Prime Day has returned, and its streaming rivals aren’t letting the retail giant keep the spotlight all to itself. As an entertainment journalist, I’ve rounded up the best streaming deals from Prime Video’s competitors.
The summer TV season is heating up, and some of America’s favorite shows are returning just in time for these streaming discounts, including new seasons of HBO Max’s House of the Dragon and Apple TV’s Ted Lasso. Several deals only run for two months rather than force buyers to make a long-term commitment, so if you’re looking to sample a few of the smaller streamers, this may be ideal for you. (Otherwise, wait until Black Friday for the most dramatic savings.)
Read more: All of the best Prime Day deals on things our editors love
HBO Max
Deal: HBO Max Basic for $6.58 a month for 12 months (originally $10.99)
New and lapsed HBO Max customers have the most enticing options for Prime Day. The HBO Max Basic tier with ads is only $6.58 a month, down from $10.99. To lock in that rate, you’ll have to prepay for the full year at $78.99, which represents a 40% drop from the usual $109.99.
That said, the Black Friday deal for HBO Max Basic was $2.99 a month, which was a lot cheaper. HBO Max can afford to play a little hardball with consumers at the moment since the new season of House of the Dragon has arrived and this summer’s DC superhero series Lanterns is set to debut in August. Thanks in large part to that premium programing, HBO Max is still one of the crown jewels of streaming.
Apple TV
Deal: Apple TV for $5.99 a month for two months when selected as a channel on Prime Video (originally $12.99)
Apple TV doesn’t appear to be directly offering a deal to new subscribers. Instead, Prime Video is offering Apple’s streaming service as an add-on channel for $5.99 for two months before reverting to its usual $12.99 price.
That deal will extend just long enough for the return of Ted Lasso for its fourth season on Apple TV at the beginning of August. But first, viewers can catch up on the recently premiered thriller Cape Fear, starring Amy Adams and Javier Bardem.
AMC+
Deal: AMC+ for $0.99 a month for two months when selected as a channel on Prime Video (originally $7.99)
There are still plenty of zombies on AMC+’s endless Walking Dead spinoffs, but The Vampire Lestat takes center stage this summer as a continuation of the cult hit Interview with the Vampire.
Prime Video is offering AMC+ as an add-on channel for only $0.99 a month for two months. After that period, the price goes back up to $7.99 a month. AMC+ may not have Breaking Bad or Better Call Saul, but the vast majority of its library of original programming is streaming on that service.
Disney+ and Hulu
Deal: Disney+ and Hulu with ads for $11.99 a month for six months (originally $12.99)
The mouse may want to brush up on the concept of doorbusters. This limited-time $11.99 price is only a dollar off the regular $12.99 rate for the Disney+ with ads and Hulu with ads bundle.
While Hulu is supposedly being fully integrated into Disney+ later this year, the former still has standout shows such as The Bear and Only Murders in the Building, both of which have new seasons coming this summer. As for Disney+, X-Men ‘97 is bringing Marvel’s mutant heroes back after a two-year hiatus.
Paramount+
Deal: Paramount+ Premium for $0.99 a month for two months
Paramount+ is offering both its standard and premium tiers for $0.99 through 25 June. But the latter includes all of Showtime’s original shows and cinematic selections, which make it the more appealing option. Subscribers can stick with the monthly plan and cancel any time they like.
This offer has been made in time for new fans to catch the final two episodes of Dutton Ranch’s inaugural season. The modern-day Yellowstone spinoff (second after Marshals on CBS) has already proven to be a streaming juggernaut, and this sale can only increase its audience size.
Starz
Deal: Starz for $0.99 a month for two months when selected as a channel on Prime Video (originally $11.99)
The often overlooked premium cable channel and streamer Starz has one of the best offers on Prime Day, with $0.99 a month for two months as an add-on for Prime Video. That’s way down from the $11.99 regular price.
For its summer lineup of original shows, Starz has the final season of the crime drama Power Book III: Raising Kanan, as well as the new psychological thriller The Listeners based off of the acclaimed novel, and the upcoming crime drama Fightland about a disgraced boxing champion’s quest for revenge.
Read more: The 31 best Prime Day deals in the US on things our editors actually tested and love
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