Everyone knows Netflix and Prime Video, but for family and friends who have specialized tastes, consider giving a subscription or gift card for a highly curated streaming service. There are several commercial apps that offer niche experiences and are available for different price points on major devices like Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV, Chromecast and Roku. Some services to shop:
The British are coming
Acorn TV: Acorn TV is a series-driven service with more than 300 classic and new mystery, drama and comedy shows from the U.K. and Canada. “Miss Fisher,” “Cuffs” and “Slings & Arrows” are in its quiver.
$6.99 monthly; $69.99 yearly; gift option.acorn.tv
BritBox: Created by BBC and ITV, BritBox has a deep catalog of British programming, including classic and original series and films. Some of its titles are available elsewhere, but in of sheer quantity, it really can’t be beat.
$7.99 monthly; $79.99 yearly; gift option.britbox.com
Cinephile sensations
The Criterion Channel: The crown jewel for cinephiles, this film-school-of-sorts provides thematically programmed classics and contemporary films from a 3,000-title library, streaming great Hollywood, international and art-house films from major studios and independents.
$10.99 monthly; $99.99 yearly; gift option.criterionchannel.com
MUBI: This curator of excellent arthouse cinema adds a new film every day to its eclectic domestic and international library. The service, truly for film acolytes, emphasizes interaction through notebooks and dialogue, offering a discount subscription for students.
$29.99 for three months; $79.99; gift option.mubi.com
Sundance Now: “Sundance” is synonymous with indie cinema, but this app offers more than film. It is a trove for drama, thrillers and true-crime episodic series — many titles not found elsewhere — with new, original and international content added weekly.
$6.99 monthly; $59.99 yearly; purchase streaming device gift cards. sundancenow.com
Comic-Con crowd
Boomerang: Think Saturday mornings. This app has more than 5,000 cartoon series and animated movies with new episodes added monthly. Classics from Hanna-Barbera and Looney Tunes to “Popeye” and “Jonny Quest,” as well as originals. Note that Boomerang content is on other streamers like Hulu and Paramount+.
$5.99 monthly; $49.99 annually ; purchase streaming device gift cards.boomerang.com
Crunchyroll: This service bills itself as the world’s largest collection of anime with new episodes debuting one hour after Japan and offers 2D manga comics and merchandise. For enthusiasts, it’s the gold standard.
Three different plans from $7.99 to $14.99 monthly; gift cards on website. crunchyroll.com
On with the show
BroadwayHD: San Diego is a theater town, and this service speaks to stage lovers. With filmed plays and musicals from Broadway, off-Broadway and London’s West End, this app also features occasional live theatrical events and hosts a library of cinematic versions of stage to screen.
$11.99 monthly; $129.99 annually; gift option.broadwayhd.com
nugs.net: Nugs showcases recorded and live concerts from top musical performers — mostly from classic and metal rock genres with a smaller collection of contemporary acts. A calendar lists livestream dates for participating, touring artists.
: $12.99 month; Hi-Fi, $24.99 monthly; purchase streaming device gift cards.nugs.net
Last but not least
Apple TV+ Winning an Oscar and Emmys, this service offers notable original programming like “Ted Lasso,” “CODA,” “Severance” and “The Morning Show.” A top contender among a crowded field of general streaming services, it might be the one app your gift recipient is missing — and it’s inexpensive.
$4.99 monthly; Apple gift cards apply. tv.apple.com
