There's no single "best," as it depends on your needs, but Netflix offers vast libraries, Stan excels with Aussie content and value, Amazon Prime Video is great for Amazon subscribers, and BritBox leads for British shows; for sports, services like Kayo (subscription) or niche sports streamers like beIN Sports are key, while traditional Foxtel offers comprehensive packages.
No. Many more. Here are the best Pay TV and streaming services in Australia, as rated by consumers in Canstar Blue's latest review: 1. Netflix 2. Disney+ 3. YouTube Premium 4. Telstra TV Box Office 5. Amazon Prime Video 6. Stan 7. Kayo 8. Fetch TV...
Neither Stan nor Netflix is definitively "better"—it depends on your preference, with Netflix generally offering a larger library of international hits, while Stan excels with a strong focus on Australian content and exclusives like Yellowstone; choose Netflix for broad appeal and originals, and Stan for local productions and specific popular series.
Netflix. Netflix remains the benchmark for streaming services in Australia, offering one of the largest libraries of movies, TV shows, and exclusive originals. Global hits such as Squid Game and Tiger King demonstrate the platform's dominance in producing and distributing binge-worthy content.
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1️⃣ Netflix: 282.7 million
Whatever you're into, whatever your mood, Netflix delivers the next series, films and games you'll obsess over.
The Best Cable for Seniors in 2026
While streaming is generally still cheaper than cable TV, it is no longer the ad-free bargain it was even five years ago - especially with so many platforms to keep up with.
Netflix has issued a new viewing definition: Anything over two minutes of watching something on its platform -- a TV show or a movie -- counts as a household view.
Stan in Australia costs between $12 and $22 per month for its base streaming plans, with options for Basic ($12), Standard ($17), and Premium ($22) for different screen numbers and video quality (SD, HD, 4K), plus an extra $20 per month for the Stan Sport add-on.
Here's how the top players stack up.
Foxtel is losing customers primarily due to the rise of cheaper, more flexible streaming services (like Netflix, Stan, Disney+) that offer a vast library of content, making Foxtel's traditional, expensive cable bundles seem outdated and offering less value, especially as sports rights move to streaming platforms like Kayo and Binge, while content fragmentation forces users to subscribe to multiple apps to watch everything they want. High prices, reduced content (losing channels), and a challenging cancellation process for the traditional service also drive customers away, creating a "churn" cycle as people subscribe and resubscribe to various platforms.
Thus, there are ways to lower your bill — like trimming your package — for those not quite ready to sever the cord.
Telstra isn't entirely getting rid of Foxtel but stopped selling it to new customers in February 2024, shifting focus to supporting existing users and potentially moving them to direct Foxtel plans or other services like Fetch. The bigger shift is Foxtel's sale to DAZN in late 2024, making Foxtel (including Kayo & Binge) a standalone entity, with Telstra moving away from its legacy broadcast model to focus on streaming and internet services.
Netflix doesn't provide specific senior discounts. Some families share subscription costs, though the company has implemented measures to limit account sharing.
Will a Smart TV work without an internet connection? Yes, your Smart TV can work as usual without an internet connection. You will be able to watch cable TV channels, connect to Bluetooth and use your TV as a standard TV without any issue at all.
Genuine cable replacements must deliver live channels, including local networks, news, and sports in real-time. Services like YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, DirecTV Stream, Sling TV, and Fubo meet this standard by offering 50-100+ live channels with cloud DVR functionality.
My pick for the best overall live TV streaming service is YouTube TV due to its wide channel selection, unlimited DVR, and add-on options for more channels and networks. (A tip: To see the full list of live channels that each service offers, click through to their website and enter your zip code.)
Reviewing your cable package and removing features you don't use can help lower your monthly costs. Asking your cable provider for discounts or special deals can make a big difference in your bill. Switching to affordable streaming platforms like Netflix or YouTube TV is a great way to save money.
Cable TV offers a vast selection of channels, live sports and news coverage without the need for an internet subscription, but it comes with higher costs. Streaming services provide cost-effective plans, vast on demand content libraries and flexible viewing options but require a high-speed internet connection.