Best Streaming Services for Military Members, Discounts and More

Many streaming services, cable and satellite TV providers offer military discounts to service members, veterans and their families. Here's what we found out.

Best Streaming Services for Military Members, Discounts and More

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For years, external hard drives filled with downloaded movies and TV shows were a must-have item for military personnel. But, as more bases install high-speed internet, streaming services have started phasing out these digital movie libraries.

Whether you’re deploying, thinking about cutting the cord at home, or just trying out a new streaming service, you should always shop around for the best price.

Many streaming services, including Disney+, AppleTV, and Amazon Prime, as well as cable and satellite TV providers, offer military discounts to service members, veterans, and their families.

Other services, such as Hulu, Netflix, and YouTube, don’t offer a specific military discount, but they routinely offer great deals that service members can take advantage of.

However, in a highly competitive market, streaming services regularly run new subscriber deals and discounts, so the discounts and prices noted below are subject to change.

Always check in with a service to make sure you’re getting the best deal. Even if you’re a current subscriber, you may be able to negotiate a better rate based on new customer deals.

Deployed military members may need to use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) which encrypts and protects user data and information. However, some streaming services block VPNs. Check with your duty station to determine if required VPNs may interfere with streaming services.

If you’re looking for a VPN for personal use, here are some of the best VPNs we found for military members and their families.

Free Streaming Services for Military Members

Let’s start with the best-priced services for service members…those that are FREE!  Here are a couple of options that don’t cost anything.

AFN

The Armed Forces Network offers free TV and audio streaming to military members. Service members must register to get a signal decoder that can access the AFN network. AFN offers a variety of scheduled programming, including news, sports, TV shows, and movies.

In March 2022, AFN launched the AFN Go app, which allows members to stream music, news, talk radio programming, and local information to internet-connected computers or to Apple or Android mobile devices.

DOD Content Libraries

Military personnel and dependents of all ages can access a variety of free content through Military One Source and DOD MWR Libraries, including streaming services for documentaries and do-it-yourself technical help. 

DOD libraries also have several options to stream audiobooks and music or rent e-books for your Kindle, tablet, or mobile device.

Included in This Guide – Our Top 3:

Paid Streaming Services for Service Members

Amazon Prime Video
Apple TV+
Disney+, Hulu, ESPN Unlimited Bundle
DirecTV Stream
Discovery+
Fubo
Netflix
Paramount+/Showtime

Peacock
Sling TV
Starz
YouTube TV

What to Know About Streaming Services

We contacted streaming services to round up the best discounts, including military discounts, on TV streaming services.

However, streaming services regularly run new subscriber deals and discounts, so the discounts and prices noted below are subject to change. Always check in with a service to make sure you’re getting the best deal. Even if you’re a current subscriber, you may be able to negotiate a better rate based on new customer deals.

Deployed military members may need to use VPNs, which encrypt and protect user data and information. Some streaming services block VPNs. Check with your duty station to find out if required VPNs may disrupt streaming services.

If you’re looking for a VPN for personal use, here are some of the best VPNs we found for military members and their families.

Best Streaming Services for Military and Veterans

Editor’s Note: Discount details listed below are subject to change. Always check with a service provider before buying a subscription.

Amazon Prime Video

Amazon Prime Video featured shows.
Image credit: Amazon Prime Video

Amazon Prime Video Review

Overall Score
3.5 /5

Prime Video

Amazon Prime Video is a versatile streaming service offered by Amazon that provides a vast library of content, including popular movies, TV shows, and Amazon Prime Originals.

Apple TV+

Image Credit: Apple

Apple TV+ Review

Overall Score
4.5 /5

Apple TV+

Apple TV+ is a streaming service that offers a collection of high-quality, original content.

Disney+, Hulu, ESPN Unlimited Bundle

Disney+ user interface featuring The Mandalorian.
Image credit: Disney+ / The Walt Disney Company

Disney+, Hulu, ESPN Unlimited Bundle

Overall Score
4.5 /5

Disney+ (Hulu bundle)

Disney+ is a popular streaming service launched in November 2019 that has quickly amassed over 160 million subscribers.

DirecTV Stream

Directv stream on a AppleTV device.
Image credit: DirecTV via 9to5Mac

DirecTV Stream Review

Overall Score
4.0 /5

DirecTV Stream

DirecTV Stream, formerly known as ATu0026T TV, is a live TV streaming service that offers a wide range of channels and features.

Discovery+

Image Credit: Discovery+

Discovery+ Review

Overall Score
3.0 /5

Discovery+

Discovery Plus is the streaming home for TLC, Food Network, HGTV, and Discovery shows, making it perfect for reality and documentary TV fans.

Fubo TV

Image Credit: Fubo TV

Fubo TV Review

Overall Score
3.5 /5

Fubo TV

Fubo TV is a live TV streaming service that offers an extensive selection of channels, with a particular emphasis on sports.

HBO Max

Max streaming service logo.

HBO Max Review

Overall Score
4.5 /5

HBO Max (formerly known as Max)

HBO Max is a subscription streaming service from Warner Bros. Discovery that offers an extensive library of content to cater to a variety of viewing preferences.

Netflix

Image Credit: NBC Universal / Netflix

Netflix Review

Overall Score
4.5 /5

Netflix

Netflix is a leading streaming service that has been around since 1997, starting as a mail-based movie rental service before launching its streaming service in 2007.

Paramount+ with Showtime

Paramount+ Review

Overall Score
4.0 /5

Paramount+ with 25% Military Discount

Paramount+ is a popular on-demand streaming service owned by Paramount Global.

Peacock

Image Credit: Peacock TV LLC

Peacock Review

Overall Score
4.0 /5

Peacock

Peacock is NBCUniversal’s streaming service that combines on-demand shows, movies, live sports, and news, offering both ad-supported and ad-free plans, with most content available through its affordable Premium tiers.

Sling TV

Image Credit: Sling TV LLC

Sling TV Review

Overall Score
4.0 /5

Sling TV

Sling TV is a live TV streaming service that offers a cost-effective and customizable alternative to traditional cable TV.

Starz

Image Credit: Starz

Starz Review

Overall Score
3.0 /5

Starz

Starz is a premium subscription service owned by Lionsgate, offering a blend of original content and a vast library of movies and TV shows.

YouTube TV

Image Credit: YouTube TV / Google

YouTube TV Review

Overall Score
3.5 /5

YouTube TV

YouTube TV is a premium live TV streaming service that offers a robust selection of over 100 channels.

Military Cell Phone Plans with Free Streaming Services

The T-Mobile Military Discount provides a military and veteran discount on their three tiered cell phone plans. With the mid-tiered plan, Experience More, Netflix Standard and Apple TV+ subscriptions are included. With the top-tiered plan, Experience Beyond, Netflix Standard, Apple TV+, and Hulu subscriptions are included.

The Verizon Military Discount offers a military and veteran discount on their three Unlimited cell phone plans. Verizon customers can enhance their phone plans by adding optional streaming perks. These bundles, available for an extra fee, offer popular streaming services at discounts of up to 40%.

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