What is the best streaming service to invest in?

Netflix is the best streaming stock to invest in. It's a pure-play on streaming and the industry leader. It's also growing at a solid clip while improving profitability and free cash flow, enabling it to return excess cash to investors through share repurchases.

What is the fastest-growing streaming company?

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Vix was the fastest-growing streaming service in 2025. The Spanish-language streaming channel owned by TelevisaUnivision grew its subscriber base by 18% to 10.5 million paying customers.

What are streaming stocks?

Streaming stocks are publicly traded companies that stream video or audio content over the internet.

Can you buy stock in HBO?

No, you can't buy stock in HBO. However, you can invest in Warner Bros. Discovery, which owns HBO.

Is Netflix stock a good investment?

Netflix has been a phenomenal investment over the years. As of mid-2026, the video streaming leader has produced a staggering 61,1920% return (around 30.4% annualized) since its initial public offering (IPO). That past performance alone doesn't necessarily mean Netflix will be a good investment in the future. However, the company continues to grow its subscriber base, revenue, and earnings briskly. That enables it to reinvest in licensing and producing the new content needed to keep its existing subscriber base happy while continuing to attract new customers. While Netflix is unlikely to match its past returns, it could still deliver above-average returns.

What factors influence the performance of streaming stocks?

Several factors influence the performance of streaming stocks. Changing consumer content preferences, rising costs, recessions, and other factors can affect streaming stocks.

Are there ETFs that include streaming companies?

Several ETFs include streaming companies, such as the Vanguard Communication Services ETF (NYSEMKT:VOX) and the First Trust S-Network Streaming & Gaming ETF (NYSEMKT:BNGE).

3 Best Streaming Service Stocks for 2026 and How to Invest

By Matthew DiLallo – Updated Aug 12, 2026 at 6:03 PM EST | Fact-checked by Frank Bass

Key Points

The streaming market is on track to grow from $345 billion in 2025 to $465 billion in 2030.
Top players like Netflix, Disney, and Paramount Skydance dominate the streaming industry.
Netflix plans to spend $20 billion on content in 2026, while still generating robust free cash flow.

Loading paragraph...

Three top streaming service stocks for2026

Lots of media and tech companies have launched streaming services over the years. However, due to consolidation, the number of streaming companies has fallen, leaving the industry with a few top players. Here's a look at the top streaming-focused companies to buy to capitalize on the industry's growth:

Loading paragraph...

Ticker Information Table
Name and ticker	Current price	Market capMarket cap calculated using publicly traded shares outstanding only. Does not include unlisted, private, or dual-class non-traded shares. Implied market cap may vary.	Dividend yield
Netflix (NASDAQ:NFLX)	$74.21	$311.4 billion	0.00%
Walt Disney (NYSE:DIS)	$103.22	$178.8 billion	1.45%
Paramount Skydance (NASDAQ:PSKY)	$9.50	$10.5 billion	2.13%

Data as of Aug 12, 2026. Showing 3 of 3 total entries.

Loading ticker_table...

1. Netflix

Loading paragraph...

NASDAQ: NFLX

Netflix

Today's Change

(-0.78%) $-0.58

Current Price

$74.21

Key Data Points

Market Cap

$311B

Day's Range

$73.57 - $74.67

52wk Range

$65.08 - $126.71

Volume

20.8M

Avg Vol

43M

Gross Margin

49.53%

Loading company_card...

As the company that started the streaming TV party, Netflix remains the largest pure-play streaming service, with more than 325 million subscribers in over 190 countries. More than a third of video streamers rate Netflix as their favorite streaming platform, citing its interface and user experience.

Netflix is a prolific producer of TV shows and movies, providing its growing user base with an ever-expanding content library. The company plans to spend $20 billion on content in 2026, up 10% from the prior year. It has also expanded into new areas to accelerate its business growth, including live sporting events and video games. Netflix has also started allowing advertisers to tap into its engaged user base. Even with its robust content spending, Netflix expects to generate $12.5 billion in free cash flow in 2026. It's using that cash to repurchase stock (Netflix authorized an addtional $25 billion in share repurchases in April 2026).

The company wanted to use its free cash flow to support its planned acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery's (WBD +2.14%) studio and streaming businesses. It agreed to buy those businesses in a $72 billion cash deal that would have bolstered its content vault and production capabilities. However, Paramount Skydance swooped in with a superior $81 billion deal to buy all of Warner Bros. Discovery, including the global networks division that Netflix had wanted to spin off before closing its purchase. That deal will make Paramount Skydance an even bigger competitor to Netflix.

Loading paragraph...

2. Walt Disney

Loading paragraph...

NYSE: DIS

Walt Disney

Today's Change

(-0.30%) $-0.31

Current Price

$103.22

Key Data Points

Market Cap

$179B

Day's Range

$102.03 - $103.68

52wk Range

$92.19 - $119.78

Volume

6.7M

Avg Vol

10.5M

Gross Margin

32.19%

Dividend Yield

1.45%

Loading company_card...

Disney launched its much-anticipated Disney+ streaming service in late 2019, just in time for the COVID-19 pandemic. By early 2026, Disney had over 195 million subscribers to Disney+ and Hulu. Additionally, Disney owns ESPN+ in the U.S.

After years of heavy investment, Disney's direct-to-consumer streaming services are now profitable. The company's subscription video-on-demand platform generated $5.5 billion in revenue in its fiscal 2026 third quarter (up 11%) and over $700 million in operating income (a more than 100% increase).

The company's vertically integrated operations -- spanning valuable real estate assets in its theme parks, cruise ships, merchandising, and broadcast television, as well as in-house video production technology -- give it ample cash to invest in new content. Now well established in the online TV era, Disney is poised to continue leading the streaming revolution.

3. Paramount Skydance

Loading paragraph...

NASDAQ: PSKY

Paramount Skydance

Today's Change

(1.28%) $0.12

Current Price

$9.50

Key Data Points

Market Cap

$11B

Day's Range

$9.31 - $10.00

52wk Range

$7.62 - $20.86

Volume

15.8M

Avg Vol

9.9M

Gross Margin

28.57%

Dividend Yield

2.13%

Loading company_card...

Paramount Skydance (PSKY +1.28%), created through the 2025 merger of Skydance Media and Paramount Global, aims to build on Paramount's Hollywood legacy to become a leading entertainment company of the future. The combined company operates the Paramount+ direct-to-consumer streaming service.

The company's direct-to-consumer platform is growing briskly. Paramount+ grew its subscriber base to a new global high in the second quarter of 2026 while revenue jumped 16%. That's helping to accelerate its path towards higher profitability this year.

The company trumped Netflix in the bidding war for Warner Bros. Discovery, an entertainment conglomerate formed via the merger of Discovery and WarnerMedia. The merger will create a next-generation global media and entertainment company. It will become a global streaming leader by combining its legacy operations with Warner Bros. HBO Max streaming service.

How to invest in streaming stocks

Here's a step-by-step guide on how to add streaming stocks to your portfolio:

Open your brokerage app: Log in to your brokerage account where you handle your investments. If you don't have one yet, take a look at our favorite brokers and trading platforms to find the right one for you.
Search for the stock: Enter the ticker into the search bar to bring up the stock's trading page.
Decide how many shares to buy: Consider your investment goals and how much of your portfolio you want to allocate to this stock.
Select order type: Choose between a market order to buy at the current price or a limit order to specify the maximum price you're willing to pay.
Submit your order: Confirm the details and submit your buy order.
Review your purchase: Check your portfolio to ensure your order was filled as expected and adjust your investment strategy accordingly.

Loading paragraph...

Loading pitch...

Benefits and risks of investing in streaming service stocks

Investors need to consider the benefits and drawbacks of streaming services before investing in the sector. Some pros of investing in streaming stocks include:

Growth: The long-term growth potential of internet-based TV streaming is immense, as streaming services transform how consumers access entertainment.
Increasing profitability: Consolidation in the industry over the years has enabled a few leaders to emerge, focusing on profitably acquiring subscribers and bringing their ad marketplaces online.
Ad revenue: More streaming companies are tapping into lucrative ad revenue by adding ad tiers to their streaming subscriptions.

Some of the cons include:

Lots of competition: The streaming TV industry is crowded, with new competitors emerging constantly.
Not necessarily lucrative: Investors should keep in mind that not all companies in this nascent segment of the entertainment industry are profitable.
Volatility: Due to the sector's rapid changes, streaming media companies' stock prices can be highly volatile.

Methodology: How these stocks were chosen

Several legacy media companies and tech giants operate streaming platforms, though the list is shrinking due to industry consolidation. This trio stood out as the leaders in the sector for their large, growing platforms and rising profitability.

Should you invest in streaming service stocks?

The streaming market is large and growing. Meanwhile, thanks to the industry's growing scale, driven in part by consolidation, many of the top streaming stocks are becoming increasingly profitable. That makes the sector a compelling long-term investment opportunity.

Loading paragraph...

Loading pitch...

Investing in streaming stocks: FAQ

Loading faq...

About the Author

Matt DiLallo has been a contributing Motley Fool stock analyst specializing in the energy, industrials, and real estate sectors since 2012. He also covers dividend-paying stocks, pre-IPO companies, ETFs, and other investing topics. He holds an MBA from Liberty University.

TMFmd19

@MatthewDiLallo

Matt DiLallo has positions in Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Comcast, Netflix, PubMatic, Roku, The Trade Desk, and Walt Disney and has the following options: short March 2026 $125 calls on Walt Disney and short May 2026 $280 calls on Apple. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Netflix, PubMatic, Roku, The Trade Desk, Walt Disney, and Warner Bros. Discovery. The Motley Fool recommends Comcast. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

3 Best Streaming Service Stocks for 2026 and How to Invest

Key Points

Three top streaming service stocks for2026

1. Netflix

NASDAQ: NFLX

Key Data Points

2. Walt Disney

NYSE: DIS

Key Data Points

3. Paramount Skydance

NASDAQ: PSKY

Key Data Points

How to invest in streaming stocks

Benefits and risks of investing in streaming service stocks

Methodology: How these stocks were chosen

Should you invest in streaming service stocks?

Related investing topics

Best Media Stocks for 2026 and How to Invest

6 Best Communication Stocks for 2026 and How to Invest

7 Best Social Media Stocks for 2026 and How to Invest

Best E-Commerce Stocks to Buy in 2026 and How to Invest in Them

Investing in streaming stocks: FAQ

About the Author

Read Next

Stocks Mentioned

Motley Fool Stock Advisor’s Latest Pick

Premium Investing Services

Best Media Stocks for 2026 and How to Invest

6 Best Communication Stocks for 2026 and How to Invest

7 Best Social Media Stocks for 2026 and How to Invest

Best E-Commerce Stocks to Buy in 2026 and How to Invest in Them

NASDAQ: NFLX

Key Data Points

Investing in streaming stocks: FAQ

What is the best streaming service to invest in?

What is the fastest-growing streaming company?

What are streaming stocks?

Can you buy stock in HBO?

Is Netflix stock a good investment?

What factors influence the performance of streaming stocks?

Are there ETFs that include streaming companies?

1. Netflix

2. Walt Disney

3. Paramount Skydance

Benefits and risks of investing in streaming service stocks

Methodology: How these stocks were chosen

Should you invest in streaming service stocks?

Related investing topics

Three top streaming service stocks for2026

NYSE: DIS

Key Data Points

NASDAQ: PSKY

Key Data Points

How to invest in streaming stocks