We’re even still watching reruns of The Office and Friends. But we also feel FOMO if we don’t watch the new show everyone is talking about, like The Undoing, Billions, and Belgravia. If you have this fear of missing out, fear no more. It’s time for you to subscribe to premium channels like HBO Max, SHOWTIME, or MGM+. We’ll tell you everything you need to know about the best premium channels and how to get them. That means no sitting through endless commercials for Mr. Clean, Buick, and Old Spice (phew)! Premium channels also tend to have access to newer, “first-run” movies and Hollywood-sized budgets so they can produce shows like the highly-successful Game of Thrones. The catch is that you have to pay extra for these channels (unless you have a really premium cable or satellite package, in which case you’re probably already paying a boatload of cash). Here are the details on the “big six”—HBO, SHOWTIME, STARZ, CINEMAX, MGM+, and The Movie Channel (sometimes called TMC). When you subscribe to HBO through cable, you’ll get access to multiple channels, including HBO Latino, HBO Comedy, and HBO Family. If you subscribe through most any cable or satellite TV service, like Xfinity or DIRECTV, you’ll also get free access to HBO Max. Just sign in through the app! HBO Max is our favorite premium channel out of the “big six”. Check out our HBO Max review to see what other content it can offer you when you need something to watch after work. TV shows, sports, movies, and documentaries you’ll find on SHOWTIME include the following: STARZ also has original programming that is very much talked about, such as Outlander and Power. Like SHOWTIME, you can also get the STARZ app without being subscribed to a cable or satellite TV service. TV shows and movies you can watch on a Saturday night with STARZ include the following: But we should mention CINEMAX’s original content doesn’t seem to be talked about as extensively as maybe HBO Max’s original content is. We’d say CINEMAX is more for the movie buffs. Sit back and watch these CINEMAX series and movies: You can get MGM+ NOW, which is the standalone streaming service without the TV subscription, or you can sign in with your cable or satellite TV provider to watch your content on the go. MGM+ epic original series, docuseries, and movies include the following: TMC features popular older movies for you and the family to enjoy while having a game night or when you need to distract the kids from their electronics. Movies you’ll find on TMC include the following: Some people want to watch science-fiction action, while others would prefer true-crime thrillers. Some folks just want to watch the same shows as their friends (so you can ask each other what the heck just happened on the latest episode of Warrior). Here’s a look at what we think the best premium channels are for you movie fans, original bingers, and those who get bored easily and like variety. HBO has recently been in the TV news quite a bit for its original content. Still, the biggest recent news has made HBO the top premium channel: HBO Max will give its subscribers access to all of the new 2021 WarnerMedia Bros. movies the same day those movies release in theaters. As for family content, Sesame Street is actually in line with HBO’s eclectic mix of content. The entertainment giant has a whole channel—aptly named HBO Family—with shows and movies for everyone, from toddlers to teenagers. On HBO Max, you’ll also find The Not-Too-Late Night Show with Elmo, Scooby-Doo shows, and Looney Tunes shows. If you like documentaries, you won’t get bored with SHOWTIME’s library. Watch Couples Therapy, Jay-Z: Fade to Black, Kobe Bryant’s Muse, and The Go-Go’s. SHOWTIME also delivers lots of sports content, like Inside the NFL, where you’ll get access to highlights from NFL Films and commentary from Phil Simms, Brandon Marshall, Michael Irvin, and Ray Lewis. Or if you’re a basketball fan, you can watch the weekly podcast, All the Smoke with Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson. This show will be your jam if you’re interested in the intersection of basketball and culture. You can also enjoy the boxing section and stream fights, such as Rodriguez vs. Gaballo and Colbert vs. Arboleda, or watch behind the scenes videos. STARZ has up to 12 separate movie channels (depending on your cable provider) that showcase everything for everyone in the family to enjoy (seriously). Do you have kids who love Frozen and Monsters University? Or maybe you’re in your 20s, and you want to kick back and watch Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle, Bring It On, or Taken. Or maybe you, the parents, want to wind down after a long day of work and watch the Men in Black movies, Titanic, Hulk, or Public Enemies. Whatever mood you’re in, STARZ has got it. CINEMAX offers you four channels full of action and thriller films that are critically-acclaimed, artistic, and classic. You’ll find movies such as Hostage, American Son, Freejack, Forces of Nature, and Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story in your TV guide.
Original series Original docuseries Stand-up specials 13 movie categories Movies ranging from years 1950–2020
So when you finish the original series of Godfather of Harlem with Forest Whitaker, watch the docuseries By Whatever Means Necessary: The Times of Godfather of Harlem. When you want to laugh, watch a Wanda Sykes stand-up special, or watch a movie under the Comedy category, like A Night at the Roxbury. With TMC, you’ll get to explore movies that went under the radar, never made it to theaters, or have lost their fame. But hey, at least it comes free when you subscribe to SHOWTIME. That said, here’s a look at some common price points for all six premium channels. If you have an existing cable or satellite provider, you’ll most likely have the option to sign up with most of these premium channels. If you call your provider to ask for deals, make sure to ask for a free trial.
