2021 Predictions

2021? Take Your Best Guess

December 1, 2020

We're (finally) headed into the final stretch of 2020. We've seen HBO Max rise and Quibi fall. What's will 2021 bring to the streaming market? Here are some of our top predictions for what's in the 2021 pipeline.

Streamer's Spotlight: What Will 2021 Bring?

Quibi bit the dust (hard) in 2020. Meanwhile, some other services like HBO Max and Hulu continued to march forward with unprecedented gains. Will 2021 bring anything interesting to the table in the streaming market? We sure hope so, but here are some predictions to get you started.

More Price Increases

So, as much as we hate to start the 2021 predictions off with bad news, it's almost unavoidable. Expect price increases next year from some of your favorite streaming services? Which ones, you ask? Probably not Hulu or YouTube TV. Netflix may increase the base plan price, however. And Philo may be forced to add a few bucks onto the package price.

More 'Free with Ads'

How about a bit of good news, then? Expect to see more free streaming options from top-tier services hitting the market. Free with ads is a metric that's taking off. NBCUniversal went that route with its Peacock service, and we may see CBS All Access get a free, ad-supported tier once the service rebrands as Paramount+ in 2021.

Apple TV+ Shakeup

If you've been following Apple TV+, you'll note that the service is nowhere close to carving out a market for itself right now. It's like a slow-burning Quibi. At some point (probably in 2021), Apple is going to have to do something with the service. Sell it? Start buying up content license agreements? Who knows. But whatever happens to Apple TV+, its going to have to be soon. Acquiring the rights to the Peanuts holiday specials was a start, but the company is going to need to do far more than that.

This Week's Streaming Guide

1. Watch 'The Holiday Movies that Made Us'

From

Elf

How the Grinch Stole Christmas

, this Netflix documentary interviews key players in the top holiday movies that define the past century. Available on Netflix today. -

Stream on Netflix2. Let Your Imagination Run Wild with Netflix Series 'Alien Worlds'

Extrapolating based on known science, this Netflix series takes a look at what life might look at in the far reaches of the galaxy --- or right next door. Available to stream on Wednesday. -

Stream on Netflix

3 It's Robot Fightin' Time!

The 2020 season of Battlebots makes its metallic return. Watch Battlebots 2020 this Thursday at 8 PM EST on Discovery Channel. -

Watch Discovery Without Cable

4. NBC Medical Drama 'Nurses' Premieres

Available on NBC on Monday at 10 PM EST,

Nurses

is set in a busy Toronto hospital with a view from the lower ranks.

Stream on Netflix