What you need to know about plans, data, internet speeds and how to access Netflix, Stan, Disney+ and more.
Denis Gallagher
Peter Zaluzny @peterzmedia
Australian viewers long faced paying a hefty price for a pay TV subscription or waiting for shows to be broadcast on free-to-air TV. These days, the line-up of on-demand movie and TV services in Australia is extensive.
Netflix, Stan, Amazon Prime Video, Foxtel Now, Disney+, YouTube, AppleTV+ and more are all competing for our eyeballs and credit cards. But with this many options, how do you pick the best service to suit your viewing needs and your budget?
On this page:
- What's the best video streaming service?
- How to stream videos online
- Subscription streaming services in Australia
- How to download streaming video
- Renting or buying videos online
- Free video streaming
- Live video streaming
- Which devices can stream video?
- What is video streaming data?
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What's the best video streaming service?
This is a wildly subjective question that comes down to your entertainment preferences. The only way to determine which service is best is to sign up for free accounts and browse the libraries to see if they host your favourite films and shows. This, however, is very time consuming, which is where JustWatch comes in handy.
JustWatch is a huge searchable database that gathers the library from almost every streaming and rental service around, so you can figure out where to watch your favourite shows. It lists all the services that host the content you're after as well as available quality (SD, HD, 4K) and lets you click straight through via the browser or app which is nice and convenient. Just remember to set the region to Australia before you start searching.
How to stream videos online
Streaming means watching as you download, whereas "downloading" a video usually refers to permanently storing the file on your device for watching at a later time. Streaming services are also called "video on demand" (VOD) services, and generally come in two types: monthly subscription and buy/rent.
Subscription services
Users pay a monthly fee to access a library of movies, TV shows and documentaries. You can stream content as many times as you'd like or download it for offline viewing within a set period. Most services offer a combination of third-party content and exclusives produced or purchased by the company, typically called "originals".
Rent or buy
Users create a free account to rent or buy content as a one-time purchase, and the show or movie is added to your account library for streaming. Rentals can be viewed once within a set period (usually 48 hours), whereas purchases are in your library indefinitely. Most services also let you download rentals/purchases for offline viewing.
Catch-up (aka free-to-air)
Each Australian free-to-air network runs its own catch-up service. They stream broadcast content for free after it's aired so you can watch it at a time that suits you. Movies and TV shows are generally available for a limited time after going to air, such as for one month, but you can watch them as often as you'd like.
Most have also added a streaming section similar to what you'd find on Netflix, Stan or Amazon Prime. These sometimes include originals, though they offer far fewer than the bigger platforms. Note that these services are ad supported.
When it comes to picture quality, these services all stream in standard definition (SD) and most also have high definition (HD) shows. Some stream in 4K, though content with this resolution is often limited.
- Standard definition (SD)in streaming is typically 480p or 576p resolution.
- High definition (HD)is usually 720p or 1080p resolution.
- Ultra high definition (UHD or 4K)is typically 3840p resolution.
Some HD and UHD content is also available in high-dynamic range (HDR) or Dolby Vision. These basically expand contrast ratio (the difference between darkest blacks and brightest whites) and colour accuracy to give you a much more dynamic picture.
However, your actual viewing resolution may not exactly match this because many platforms downscale the video quality for lower speed connections to limit drop-outs. Just because you rent or buy content in HD or 4K, or sign up to a subscription plan that allows HD and 4K streaming, doesn't mean your internet connection is necessarily fast enough to stream it at these ratios.
Licensing also affects picture and audio quality. For example, almost all third-party content on Netflix and Amazon Prime Video is available in high-definition with 5.1 surround sound at best, even if a 4K UHD Dolby Atmos version is available elsewhere.
Generally speaking, 4K HDR is limited to originals produced by the services, or existing content if the services buy films and shows from another studio. For example, Disney owns 20th Century Fox, so new 4K versions of Fox classics likeSpeed and Die Hardare available in 4K on Disney+.
This can get particularly granular if the service offers subscription streaming and rentals on the same platform. You may find that an HD stream with your subscription, but you need to pay extra if you want to watch the 4K HDR version.
Why do movies and shows disappear?
Third-party content that isn't produced or owned by the service is distributed under license. Once this license expires, the copyright holders can choose to license it again, give it to another service or take it offline completely.
This means content libraries are constantly changing, and so are the value propositions of each service. There's no guarantee that the movie you signed up for will still be around in a month's time, unless it's an original.
Subscription streaming services in Australia
Subscription streaming services require an internet-connected device such as a computer, tablet, smartphone or smart TV to watch content. They charge a monthly fee that can increase based on the streaming resolution (SD, HD and 4K), and the number of devices that can simultaneously access the account.
This list covers the key subscription streaming services available in Australia. Each has its own pros, cons and (most importantly) exclusive programs and films.
Cost
Some subscription services, such as Netflix and Stan, offer tiered pricing that increases based on the picture quality (SD, HD and 4K) and number of users. Others, like Disney+, Paramount+ and Amazon Prime Video, let you access everything for a single monthly fee.
Amazon is throwing its weight (and hundreds of millions of dollars) behind plenty of big budget original content such as The Grand Tour, The Boys and a new adaptation of The Lord of the Rings. Syndicated content is comparable to other services, though competitive enough to warrant a look with plenty of popular TV and Hollywood films. There's also a surprisingly large amount of BBC shows on there.
You can add more movies and shows to your Prime Video account by subscribing to one of the optional Prime Video Channels. These bring the contents of other streaming services, such as AMC+, Shudder and Paramount+, into your Prime account, the idea being that Prime Video acts as a central streaming hub.
It can be a bit frustrating to use as content from the channels appears on the Prime homepage and in your search results, even if you haven't signed up to them. If a movie or show has a white and blue "Prime" banner in the top left corner, then it can be streamed as part of your baseline Prime Video account.
The basic version is the cheapest service in our test at $9.99 a month or $79 a year, and this flat fee gives you access to SD, HD and 4K HDR content. It also includes access to other Amazon services including Amazon Music and a Prime shopping account, which adds exclusive discounts and free shipping. When you factor all that in, it's by far the best value service on the market, although additional channels will cost an extra $4–10 per month each.
Like Amazon, Apple is throwing buckets of cash into original Apple TV+ content with the hope that they can draw audiences in with the next "must watch" show. And that's pretty much it. AppleTV+ has no third-party content at all, just Apple original shows and movies. It's an interesting move but critically acclaimed series such as Mythic Quest, Silo and Ted Lasso have shown that while Apple TV+ may not have a bunch of content, it does have popular exclusives.
Though the library has grown quite a lot since launch it's still small compared to the competition. But Apple is promising at least one new piece of original content every month. The number of supported devices has grown as well to include some TVs, though they need to have been released in the last five years or so. It costs $12.99 a month.
Binge seems to be Foxtel's answer to Netflix. It offers a lot of the same content as Foxtel Now but with a monthly subscription, rather than different packages (like sport and movies). Binge has also added some live TV since it launched.
Like other Foxtel-owned services, exclusive HBO content is the big drawcard while everything else on there is more in line with its competitors. Though it initially launched without 4K support, this has since been added to the standard and premium price tiers. Monthly costs are $10 for basic, $18 for standard and $22 for premium.
BritBox is the service of choice if you're really into British movies and TV shows. Designed to be a one-stop shop for content from BBC, ITV and their subsidiary broadcasters (like Channel 4 and Channel 5), its main drawcard is providing quick and easy access to new series and films not long after they air. BritBox also hosts a ton of classic content such as Blackadder, Inspector Morse and Doctor Who.
But even though everything is owned by the service providers, we did notice that BritBox rotates through content. This is a different approach to Netflix, for example, which permanently keeps its originals online. We also saw that some shows were only available for a few weeks which isn't very long.
It costs $8.99 per month or $89.99 a year.
The House of Mouse set up the first studio-run service in Australia, dedicated to streaming Disney content as well as movies and series created by other studios that Disney owns. You won't find any third-party content on Disney+, but you can browse Disney's giant library that dates back to the 1930s, as well as movies and TV shows from Disney-owned studios and franchises including 21st Century Fox, Marvel, Pixar, National Geographic, Star Wars and more. There's also a sizeable library of original content, some of which is based on these popular franchises, such as The Mandalorian and Monsters at Work.
Though it was initially geared towards family-friendly content, Disney+ has since added a subsection called Star which caters to more mature, teen and adult oriented viewing. This doesn't necessarily mean it's all explicit, however, as Star delivers content ranging from The Sound of Music and Mrs Doubtfire to action films including Deadpool and Die Hard, alongside a few cult classics such as The Fly. You can disable access to Star for individual accounts if you'd prefer to keep things safe for younger viewers.
A flat fee of $13.99 a month or $139.99 per year gives you access to everything Disney+ has to offer in SD, HD and 4K with HDR support. If Disney re-releases a new version of an older film in 4K HDR, the streaming version usually gets updated to the best quality version as well which is unique among these services.
Like pay TV, Foxtel has a multi-tiered subscription model that limits content to certain packages (like sport and movies). It doesn't deliver the best value (a complete package runs over $100) and this pricing model is a pretty confusing example of Foxtel trying to have its cake and eat it too.
However, Foxtel is the only broadcaster with extensive access to sport and popular HBO content in Australia, such as Game of Thrones, The White Lotus and Succession.
If you're really into real housewives from a number of locales, want to keep up with some Kardashians and need to know how various Vanderpumps spend their time, then Hayu may just have the streams of your dreams. It's a reality TV service that mainly hosts US shows, including classic content and new programs that stream the same day as they air overseas.
It costs $6.99 per month or $61.99 a year.
Yet another Foxtel-owned service, Kayo deals exclusively in sports. It has a huge library of local and international sports with live and on-demand streaming, as well as some classic matches. There's also news and documentaries but it's really aimed at hardcore sports fans who want to watch live events from all over the world.
Interesting features include live stats, a no-spoilers setting in case you can't watch a match live, and Kayo Mini, which condenses coverage into a 20-minute highlight reel. However, it's one of the most expensive options, ranging from $25–35 a month without 4K support.
Netflix is one of the most popular services around with thousands of hours of TV, film, documentaries, stand-up comedy and live music available. This includes lots of original film and television content such as the immensely popular South Korean series Squid Game. In fact, Netflix's library is so large it has a little bit of everything. You can install the app on just about anything from computers to games consoles, smartphones and TVs.
Netflix has a tiered pricing structure including a basic tier which is ad supported despite charging a fee. This costs $6.99 per month, has HD content and allows one stream to run at a time. Standard is $16.99 and allows for two simultaneous streams at HD quality while premium is $22.99 per month which lets you run up to four simultaneous streams and gives you access to 4K streaming for titles that support it.
In a somewhat controversial move, Netflix also charges an additional fee to access content outside the home of the primary account holder. In other words, if your share an account with your family, they pay for it and you try to log in at your house, you will be charged. This adds an additional $7.99 a month per household.
Like Disney+, Paramount+ is a studio-owned service that hosts its own content, and that includes movies and shows owned by its parent company, ViacomCBS. It also replaced Channel 10's paid streaming service, 10 All Access, but the 10 Play catch-up service is still going.
As well as a good selection of Paramount classics and a growing library of originals, it also has lots of content from Showtime, Comedy Central, Nickelodeon and more. Soccer fans may appreciate the live sport broadcasts as well. But the number of titles is still quite small as Paramount+ is a new service, partially because many of the films and shows you'd expect to see are still tied up in existing licensing deals with other services.
Paramount+ has two subscription tiers; standard and premium. Standard costs $9.99 a month or $89.99 per year and allows up to two simultaneous streams in HD. Premium costs $13.99 a month or $124.99 per year and adds up to four simultaneous streams in 4K HDR.
This Australian-owned service is similar to Netflix in design and price, but with more Australian content and Australian originals. Stan also has a decent collection of classic and popular programs some of which are available not long after they air overseas. It comes in three subscription tiers: basic, which is SD quality and allows only one stream to run at any one time; standard, which allows for three simultaneous streams and HD quality; and premium, which lets you run four simultaneous streams and gives you access to 4K streaming for titles that support it.
Stan has also added sports streaming options with soccer, rugby and tennis matches available live or on demand. Access requires an additional monthly fee on top of your base subscription.
There are three pricing tiers. Basic which is $10 a month for one stream in SD, standard which is $16 per month for three simultaneous steams in HD and Premium, which costs $21 per month for four streams and 4K support.
You can also get access to Stan Sport streaming for an additional $15 a month. This is available for all tiers.
YouTube Premium began life as an alternative for people who were happy to pay a monthly subscription fee to remove ads from YouTube, with a few other features such as offline viewing and music streaming. The online giant then moved into producing original content but that's largely slowed down with most new Premium originals being lifestyle, documentary or reality shows created by YouTube personalities. So once again, YouTube Premium is basically YouTube without the ads.
Google Play Music premium subscribers get free access to YouTube Premium when signed into the same account on YouTube and Google Play, and purchases made on Google Play Movies & TV can be viewed in YouTube using the same account. This is particularly handy if you want to watch a Google Play purchase/rental on a device that only supports the YouTube app.
The baseline fee of $16.99 a month gets you access to everything on the service, though you can add more simultaneous user accounts by signing up for YouTube Premium Family which costs $32.99 per month. Students can also apply for a discounted option that costs $10.49 a month
How to download streaming video
Most subscription services let you download movies and shows for offline viewing with no additional fees. Though it does take a bit of forward planning, this feature gives you the freedom to watch content without an internet connection such as when you're travelling. Just tap the download icon (pictured below) and you're all set.
There are a few conditions however. Offline viewing is only available on portable devices, specifically smartphones, tablets and laptops. It only works within the app/software which doesn't include the browser version of Netflix and you need to make sure that there's enough storage space on your device for the content.
Lastly, there's a time limit before the content expires, at which point you'll need to download it again or stream as normal. This varies between services and also depends on who owns the movies or shows but downloads typically last two to seven days. You can watch your movies and shows as many times as you want during this period but they'll be automatically deleted once the time limit is up.
Most services let you download content for offline viewing.
Renting or buying videos online
These options are a little different from subscription streaming services. Instead of paying a monthly fee to access as much content as the company has to offer, you create a free account and pay for videos-on-demand. Most offer different rates for SD and HD content, and TV shows are generally available for purchase, but not rental, on a per-episode, or whole season basis.
If you rent content, you get access to a movie for 30 days, but after you click play you only have 48 hours to watch it. Purchased content is added to your account for permanent streaming or downloading for offline viewing, depending on the service and the device you're using.
Cost
Rental and purchase prices vary based on a few factors.
- Release date– new films typically cost more.
- Popularity– while mega blockbusters may cost more at launch, they're often on sale too.
- Resolution – whether it's streamed in SD, HD or 4K.
- Sales and bundles – it can be cheaper to buy an entire season of a TV show rather than individual episodes.
Early access explained
When cinemas across the world had to close due to the COVID-19 pandemic, some studios released their new films on streaming platforms for a premium price. Amazon Prime continues to offer this service for a range of third-party titles, whereas Disney+ appears to have quietly ended the program.
Rent or buy prices are similar to a movie ticket, ranging from $20–35 to rent or buy depending on the film. These also vary depending on whether you're watching a simultaneous cinema release, or a fast-tracked film with the latter usually costing a bit less.
If these prices seem a bit steep then hold out for a bit. Early access films almost always make their way to at least one stream services which will be covered by your monthly/annual subscription. Alternatively, the rent or buy costs will decrease over time.
Some subscription and rent/buy services offer different prices depending on the video resolution.
The Prime Video Store is a rent or buy film service that was recently added to Prime Video streaming (yes, it's confusing). You need a free Amazon account to make payments like you would with any purchase through its store, but you don't need a paid subscription to Amazon Prime like you do for Prime Video streaming. Again, confusing.
This all takes place in the Prime Video app. Movies and shows that are available to stream with your subscription are listed as "included with Prime". Content that incurs an additional rent/buy fee is in a separate section of the app called the "store". Prices range from around $4–35 with all films available in SD and HD as well as some in 4K. There are no TV shows available.
It has a good selection of new release flicks, some classics, cult favourites and the occasional film that's still in cinemas under the Early Access range. However, we found the library to be smaller than those offered by Google and Apple. But that's based on our user experience rather than an actual test.
AppleTV is essentially iTunes video under a different moniker. It has movies and TV shows that can be watched on a PC or Mac through the iTunes software, on an iOS device such as an iPad or iPhone, or on a TV with an Apple TV. New release TV shows cost around $3–7 per episode or $15–50 per season, while newer films range from $6–40 (rent/buy).
It has a broad selection of big-budget flicks, popular shows and smaller titles. You can rent or buy movies, or buy TV shows, in SD, HD and 4K, with prices increasing by $1–3 as the resolution goes up. Note that this is a different service to AppleTV+.
Aimed at people using Android mobile devices and the Chromecast media streamer, although Google Play content can also be watched through a browser on a Mac or PC, the Chromecast iOS app and the YouTube app on any device if you log in using the same account details. You can rent or buy movies, or buy TV series and episodes. Movies range from $1–40 to rent and buy. TV shows typically cost $3-7 an episode or between $4 and $50 per season.
Videos are mostly available in SD and HD though there's a fair bit of 4K content which is regularly added to. Prices typically increase by a couple of dollars as you bump up the resolution. When renting you have 30 days to begin watching your movie, and 48 hours to watch it after you click play.
Free video streaming
Though there are plenty of websites that let you legally stream videos for free, most don't have movies and TV shows for copyright reasons. Sites like YouTube and Vimeo are driven by user generated content, or promotional material such as trailers, interviews, music videos and so on.
Some services, such as PLEX, can provide a large content library thanks to ad support but even then, you're unlikely to find the kind of blockbusters and even smaller indie titles that you would on major streaming services. Most TV catch-up services have also launched free, ad supported content libraries which are covered below.
Plex began life as free home media management software for your movies, TV shows, music and more. They've since added a sizeable collection of movies, documentaries and shows that are available for free provided you're happy to put up with advertisements. Yes, Plex is ad-supported and you can't pay for a subscription to turn them off.
Content is geared towards things like cult films, B-movies, independent flicks, silver screen classics and unofficial documentaries. Being free, it seems that Plex has picked up movies and shows with lower licensing costs so you're not going to find many blockbusters or Hollywood heavy-hitters.
Tubi is a free, ad-supported streaming service that's owned by Fox Media. While you're unlikely to find many blockbusters or classics, there's a decent selection of familiar content that largely comes from Fox's US library. It also has a handful of originals. However, availability is time limited and the library rotates pretty regularly so keep that in mind if you only get halfway through a movie or show. You don't need to create an account to access Tubi which is a nice touch but the option is there with some added features such as watchlists.
Streaming broadcast TV (catch-up services)
Each free-to-air TV broadcaster has a free online catch-up service, which lets you view programs on your smartphone, PC, game console or smart TV for a limited period. Most are online for two to three weeks after airing, though some can be longer. The services are:
- ABC: ABC iView
- SBS: SBS On Demand
- Channel 7: 7 Plus
- Channel 9: 9 Now
- Network TEN: 10 Play
They often include additional content similar to DVD bonus features, such as exclusive interviews and behind the scenes features. Some also re-upload previous episodes of a popular show when a new season is due to air so you can refresh your memory.
Most have also added ad-supported streaming in addition to catch-up content. It's usually movies or shows that the network had previously broadcast and has since acquired the rights to stream, although they also carry online exclusive content and even a handful of originals. SBS On Demand is a good example. As well as the catch-up service, it also has a vast film library available for free, including a bunch of classic Jackie Chan movies from Hong Kong.
Live video streaming
Live video streaming is widely available though content varies depending on the service. All of the catchup services, for example, simultaneously steam live broadcasts from all the channels on their networks includinbg sports depending on who holds the rights. Not only does this mean you can watch TV over a mobile connection on the go, it's a handy backup if your aerial is broken or out of reach in a rental property.
A few paid subscription services offer live sports in addition to on-demand streaming. Kayo and Foxte has a huge range of options, what with it being a dedicated sport service, and a number are also available on Foxtel Now too. Stan offers soccer, rugby, tennis and more and Paramount+ has also added soccer with plans to include more sports down the line.
YouTube live streaming is pretty well whatever the account holder wants to put online but copyright holders keep a very close eye on things. There are also a tonne of services dedicated to streaming specific sports leagues, such as NBA League Pass, but we don't include these in our tests as they're not directly comparable to entertainment oriented ones like Netflix.
Which devices can stream video?
Most smart TVs and some PVRs (personal video recorders) can access free-to-air TV catch-up apps and streaming services if they're connected to the internet through your home network. But they're not the only option.
The devices described below are a handy substitute if you don't have a smart TV or if your smart TV is a bit long in the tooth and lags or can't process content consistently.
They can also add additional features such as surround sound support, higher-resolution options (e.g. the desktop version of an app may support 4K when the smart TV version can't) and casting.
Dongles
The smallest, cheapest solution for adding streaming functionality to a TV, monitor etc. They typically around $70-$150 but can run as little as $40 during sales periods. Most are no bigger than two or three thumb drives strapped together and they slot into an HDMI port on your TV. But the small size and low costs means they can compromise on some of the higher end features in media streamers such as high-end audio outputs and onboard storage. Examples include the Amazon Fire Stick and Google Chromecast.
Streaming boxes
A more advanced, more expensive alternative to dongles that tend to support a wider range of audio and video features as well as inputs and outputs. The Apple TV and Nvidia Shield are popular examples.
Game consoles
Sony PlayStation and Xbox consoles can connect to most streaming and catch-up services via downloadable apps.
Desktop or laptop PC (Windows and macOS)
You laptop or computer can access popular services either via a web browser or as downloadable software. Most computers also include an HDMI out port, which you can plug into your TV, projector, monitor and so on.
For a complete breakdown of why you may need a streaming device, how they work and what they have to offer, click the link below.
Before you sign up, make sure the streaming service is compatible with your main entertainment device. This information is on the service provider's website, but it can be a little broad. You also need to figure out if your device can play the kind of content you want to view.
Disney+, for example, has 4K HDR content. However, the app will only stream it on compatible devices. 4K Disney+ will work fine on a 2019 TV, but it may not play on a 2016 TV, even if the older model has a 4K panel.
Don't rush to lay down your cash. First:
- check the product, brand and model compatibility on the streaming service's website
- sign up for a free trial period and check the stream information (which should be adjacent to the blurb) against advertisements. For example, almost all Netflix and Amazon Prime original content is in 4K so if you're only seeing it in HD then you may have compatibility issues.
This is particularly important if the service offers tiered pricing, as you may end up paying more for higher quality streaming that you can't access.
What is video streaming data?
Streaming data broadly refers to the amount of megabytes and gigabytes that are used when you stream audio and video online. While the files don't download to your computer, they still consume data in the same way. You need to keep an eye on that if your internet plan has a monthly data limit.
It can be hard to gauge what internet data allowance you'll need for streaming. As you watch more content, you may need to increase your data allowance. Here's what you'll use on average.
- Below standard definition: 300MB per hour
- Standard definition (SD): 700MB per hour
- High definition (HD): 3GB per hour
- 4K Ultra-high definition (UHD): 7GB per hour
So if your monthly data limit is 25GB, for example, and you want to watch content in high definition, then you won't make it to the end of The Lord of The Rings trilogy (extended editions of course) as all three films will use about 34GB. You may use even more data if your TV or receiver supports HDR, Dolby Vision and surround sound such as 5.1 or Dolby Atmos.
Keep a close eye on your usage for the first month or two after you go to a streaming platform. Use your ISP usage meter via a web browser or app and check if it can send usage alerts when you're approaching the limit.
Note that most streaming services are metered by your ISP, meaning streaming counts towards your download usage. But some ISPs offer "unmetered" streaming for particular services as an incentive to sign up.
Internet speed
What speed internet connection do you need to enjoy streamed movies and TV shows without any hiccups? This is measured in megabits per second (Mbps) and varies depending on the service.
- SD: 1–3Mbps
- HD: 3.5–8Mbps
- 4K UHD: 5–25Mbps
Some streaming services such as Netflix scale the quality for buffer-free, uninterrupted viewing. This will reduce or improve the sound and picture quality based on your internet speed at any point in time to minimise delays and give you the best possible consistent video. You can run a speedtest here to find out whether your internet connection is up to the task. Just bear in mind that performance can vary between devices.
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Is Australian internet suitable for streaming?
You can get a good idea of how well your broadband connection will handle video streaming by using a free streaming service such as YouTube and manually selecting resolution quality on a video. If you have no issues at 720p or 1080p, you should be fine to stream HD video on a paid service.
The NBN should ease some capacity issues that can occur during peak hours when more people are online, although there are limitations. This is particularly the case if you live in suburban or rural areas. If you're still on an ADSL connection, you may want to use an online speed test to gauge your connection speed or use the YouTube test mentioned above before you start paying for anything.
An NBN connection of 100Mbps (labelled a "Premium" internet plan by an increasing number of providers) is advisable for streaming 4K TV and movies, especially if you have other people in your house who are online at the same time. You may be able to stream 4K on an ADSL plan, but this is dependent on the time of day, the number of users on your network and the streaming service's data requirements.
Stock images:Getty, unless otherwise stated.