Best Streaming Alternatives to Netflix: 10 Platforms to Try in 2025

One of the streaming giants since day one, Netflix has been the undisputed champion for years. But with rising subscription costs, erratic content lineups, and growing competition, many viewers are looking elsewhere to find other platforms to satisfy their binge-watching appetites. If you desire special content, original programming, or lower prices, here are 10 of the best Netflix alternatives to use in 2025.

UrbanflixTV

Price: $4.99/month

Advantages:

Highlight inclusive storytelling and marginalized voices

Contains a mix of first-run content, films, and stand-up specials

Inexpensive charging

Cons:

Smaller content pool than big platforms

Less familiar films might be underestimated

Why It’s Worth It: Launched by Herb Kimble,an actor, director and producer, UrbanflixTV brings new, richly cultural narratives to the screen and puts diversity in entertainment first. It’s ideal for those who want real, community-driven content without breaking the bank. Herb Kimble says: “Our goal is not to be the biggest, but to be the best at offering originals in the multicultural and urban narratives.”

Hulu

Price: $7.99/month (ad-supported), $17.99/month (ad-free)

Advantages:

Pros

Access to next-day shows from top networks

Powerful original content such as The Handmaid’s Tale

Bundle with Disney+ and ESPN+

Cons:

Ads in the starter level

Limited international availability

Why It’s Worth It: Hulu is ideal for shoppers who desire to have access to live TV plus on-demand shows, such as next-day premiers of the most popular television programs.

Amazon Prime Video

Price: $8.99/month or included with Amazon Prime ($14.99/month)

Pros:

Large collection of movies and TV shows

Boasts award-winning originals like Reacher and The Boys

Rent or buy new releases option

Disadvantages

Interface can get congested

Some content attracts additional fees

Why It’s Worth It: With its huge catalog and integration with Amazon services, Prime Video strikes a good balance of entertainment and convenience.

Disney+

Price: $7.99/month (advertised), $13.99/month (no ads)

Advantages:

Massive library of Disney, Marvel, Star Wars, and Pixar content

Great for children and families

4K streaming added free of charge

Cons:

Reduce adult content diversity

Limited third-party titles

Why It’s Worth It: Disney+ is a must for blockbuster franchise fans and families looking for safe, high-quality content.

Max (formerly HBO Max)

Price: $9.99/month (ad-supported), $15.99/month (ad-free)

Pros:

Award-winning originals such as Succession and The Last of Us

Extremely vast library of legendary HBO shows, Warner Bros. films, and others

4K content accessible

Cons:

More costly than certain rivals

Regional availability may vary

Why It’s Worth It: Max is a premium service with premium content and prestige stories for serious cinema enthusiasts.

Peacock

Price: Ad-supported for free plan, $5.99/month for Premium, and $11.99/month (Premium Plus)

Advantages:

Budget-friendly options

Watching NBC shows tomorrow night

Robust sports and reality TV schedule

Cons:

Restricted choice on the free plan

Certain popular series might necessitate Premium Plus

Why It’s Worth It: Peacock is a great value with some great old-fashioned favorites, original shows, and live sports.

Apple TV+

Price: $9.99/month

Advantages:

Star-studded originals and high production value

No ads

Affordable with family sharing

Cons:

Smaller content library

Limited third-party titles

Why It’s Worth It: Apple TV+ performs better with award-winning programming such as Ted Lasso and Severance, attracting viewers who enjoy premium drama.

Paramount+

Price: $5.99/month (Essential), $11.99/month (with Showtime)

Pros:

Familiarity with CBS, BET, Comedy Central, and Nickelodeon

Live sports and news

Affordable bundles

Disadvantages:

Interface still improving

Some content gated behind higher-tier plans

Why It’s Worth It: Ideal for viewers who want to indulge in both nostalgia and contemporary programming under one roof.

Crunchyroll

Price: Free with ads, $7.99–$14.99/month (Premium plans)

Benefits

World’s best anime choices

Simulcasts and exclusives

Manga content included

Cons:

Niche content might not be desirable to all

Free version ads can be intrusive

Why It’s Worth It: Crunchyroll is a must-have for any anime fan, with the best collection of subbed and dubbed anime out there.

Tubi

Price: Free (ad-supported)

Advantages

100% free

Surprisingly diverse library

No subscription required

Cons:

Ad breaks

Limited original content Why It’s Worth It: Tubi is ideal for budget-conscious viewers who want a strings-free streaming experience.

Final Thoughts

Netflix is the leader, but it’s not your only choice. Want budget-friendly plans, family-friendly content, or culturally appropriate storytelling from the likes of UrbanflixTV? There’s a streaming platform out there with your name on it. Testing one—or a few—of these services might just give your streaming game a boost you’re not familiar with.

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Creating a Thriving Business Culture: Core Values That Drive Success

A strong business culture is the backbone of any successful organization. It shapes the way employees work, interact, and strive for excellence. Whether you’re launching a startup or leading an established company, defining and fostering a culture rooted in shared values is essential for long-term success. Herb Kimble, director, producer, and founder of the streaming network UrbanFlixTV, has the following advice: “A company’s culture isn’t built overnight; it requires intentional leadership, clear values, and consistent reinforcement. Employees need to believe in the mission and feel empowered to contribute to it.”

Define Your Core Values

The first step in building a strong business culture is defining the values that represent your company. These principles should reflect your mission, guide decision-making, and serve as the foundation for all business operations. Transparency, integrity, innovation, and collaboration are just a few values that successful companies embrace.

Herb Kimble, director, producer, and the founder of UrbanFlixTV, provided us with several tips for this article. He emphasized, “A company without clearly defined values is like a ship without a compass. You need guiding principles that help navigate challenges and inspire your team to move forward with purpose.”

Lead by Example

Company culture starts at the top. Leaders must embody the values they expect from their employees. This means demonstrating ethical behavior, fostering open communication, and showing appreciation for hard work. Employees take cues from leadership, so it’s critical that executives and managers lead with authenticity and accountability.

Encourage Collaboration and Innovation

A business culture that thrives on collaboration leads to greater innovation. Encouraging employees to share ideas, work together, and challenge conventional thinking fosters a more dynamic and productive workplace. Providing a supportive environment where creativity is valued can drive growth and long-term success.

Prioritize Employee Well-Being

A healthy work environment leads to motivated and engaged employees. Companies that prioritize well-being through work-life balance, professional development, and supportive leadership see higher retention rates and increased productivity. Offering benefits such as wellness programs, mental health support, and flexible schedules contributes to a positive and sustainable work culture. Herb Kimble also said, “When employees feel valued and supported, they perform at their best. Investing in their well-being isn’t just good ethics; it’s good business.”

Reinforce Culture Through Daily Actions

Building a strong culture isn’t a one-time initiative—it requires ongoing commitment. Regularly recognizing and rewarding employees who exemplify company values reinforces expectations and motivates the team. Hosting team-building activities, encouraging mentorship, and maintaining transparent communication all contribute to a thriving business culture.

Herb Kimble added, “Culture is something you cultivate every day. It’s not just words on a mission statement—it’s the actions, decisions, and attitudes that shape your company’s identity.”

Conclusion

Creating a thriving business culture takes time and effort, but the benefits are immeasurable. By defining core values, leading by example, fostering collaboration, prioritizing employee well-being, and reinforcing culture daily, businesses can build a strong foundation for success. As Herb Kimble wisely puts it, success is not just about profits—it’s about building a company where people are inspired to give their best every day.

 

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Optimizing Banner Advertising

Optimization means different things to different campaigns. A real estate agent, for instance, might want to optimize their name as a brand. Amazon wants to optimize its product pages to draw in more sales. Here are some tips to optimize for your display advertising campaigns.

Goals

Before we dive into advice, it’s important to establish goals. We’re not talking about goals in analytics. Understanding the aims of your campaign will guide everything you do. Branding will require retargeting, for instance. Establish your aims first, then look at the tools you’ll use to achieve those goals.

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Influencer Marketing for Retailers this Holiday Season

The holidays are the most insane time of the year and highly competitive for retailers. From buying candies, costumes, and decorations for Halloween, to flocking to stores on Black Friday in search of the best deals, or Christmas shopping for gifts, every retailer needs to prepare themselves to capitalize on these peak shopping periods. At first glance, it would appear that big-box department stores like Target and Wal-Mart have this market sewn up this time of year. However, there are ways other retailers can make their presence known in this competitive atmosphere.

Retailers who do most of their business on the web will attest to the fact that online shopping has gained increasing popularity over going to physical retail stores because of the added convenience and greater choice that online shopping provides. For many of these online retail brands, influencer marketing can provide a much-needed boost to shopping numbers during the holidays. Online shoppers are always on the hunt for credible brands with unique items and reasonable prices; a recommendation from a popular and trusted brand influencer could tip the scales in a retailer’s favor.

Those retailers that want to activate influencer marketing campaigns during the holidays have to do their homework long in advance if they are to make the most of peak shopping times throughout the year. Their messaging and influencers should be well chosen before Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and Christmas come around. For some retailers, it can prove difficult to get everything into place with all the other battles that a retailer faces. To save time, it might be better to hire an influencer marketing agency like HireInfluence. The right influencer marketing agency will make the collaboration with an influencer, who will perfectly fit your retailer’s strategy and services, flawless.

With the agency’s assistance, retailers could plan holiday discounts and affiliate links for an influencer and their audience members to create shopping incentives online among retailers’ target audiences. But the retailer could also use holiday-themed content created by influencers to get the right mix of creative and messaging that will make a bigger impact. Giveaways and contests, and audience-driven initiatives like TikTok challenges, are other forms of content that retailers may consider creating in concert with an influencer. With the help of planning and analytics from an influencer marketing agency, retailers can not only reach the most relevant audience possible but also yield more conversions. The reality is that come holiday time, each retailer will be jockeying for whatever edge they can get.

For online shopping, a good word from the appropriate influencer can thrust any retailer into the limelight. With the right marriage of entertaining content and perfectly packaged messaging, an influencer marketing campaign for an online retailer can really pay off. The right kind of help from an influencer marketing agency and a little planning ahead can let online retailers face the holiday season with no worries at all that they are leaving money on the table and not maximizing profits.

You would have to do a lot of legwork in trying to find out about the influencers, so it will be much better to hire an influencer marketing agency like HireInfluence. They’re one of the best influencer marketing agencies around for helping brands build and execute influential, data-supported campaigns that truly resonate with targeted audiences. Founded in Texas back in 2011, the agency has been at the top of its game ever since, including winning the 2024 MUSE Agency of the Year. Known for its tailored hands-on approach, HireInfluence is experts at pairing comprehensive analytics with strategic influencer selection to create authentic connections between brands and their customers. With access to a wide range of influencer talent, from specialized nano-influencers to celebrity-level talent, HireInfluence empowers brands to drive deeper engagement and foster stronger loyalty. The agency covers the full-service spectrum, starting with campaign strategy and running all the way through content creation, performance analysis, and optimization—to drive impressive returns and set a high bar for excellence in the realm of influencer marketing.

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How to Target Specific Segments of a Market

When you purchase traffic from a buy-side platform, you have to segment your audience in order to get the maximum benefit. These platforms buy traffic from all over the Web, offering several categories to work with. If you don’t segment that traffic you will spend profusely for visits that don’t actually help your conversion rate.

Targeting is one of the best benefits a buy-side platform offers to you, and you can bring out a campaign’s true earning potential. However, getting to that point requires a diligent study of your audience. Read on for tips to accumulate meaningful data you can use to segment your target market.

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What Marketers Do Better than Machines

Automation is a scary idea for many industries, because it seems to signal that many jobs will vanish. Especially in marketing, a business of largely analytical tasks for a high payout. Experienced marketers rely on automated reports, culling data that is automatically tracked. But automation can’t do everything, and it’s not a single solution to every problem your campaign faces. Anyone who uses Google AdWords knows that you can typically outperform the ad optimizer if you know even a little bit about display advertising. As your skills grow, you’ll find automation can’t keep up with you. There are some things that humans do better.

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Kamala Harris Becomes Democratic Nominee: A New Era Begins in a High-Stakes Election

As the political storm settles and party disputes subside, Kamala Harris has emerged as the Democratic nominee, setting up a pivotal contest for the upcoming election. John Zogby, co-founder of the nationwide online survey service and political polling service John Zogby Strategies, noted, “I think she brings a lot to the ticket. I may not have thought that months ago, but the most important thing she brings right now is an end to the age and capacity issue.”

Strategic Moves and Timing

President Joe Biden’s endorsement of Kamala Harris and his decision to step back were likely orchestrated with careful planning, timed strategically after significant events like the NATO summit and GOP convention. This move aims to ensure a seamless transition and a strong campaign foundation for Harris. Now, with this bold strategy in play, Harris is actively courting delegates, state leaders, and financial supporters.

Polling Trends and Public Opinion

Pre-announcement polls indicated that Harris was trailing Donald Trump by a narrow 1.7 points, compared to Biden’s three-point deficit. Despite both numbers being within the margin of error, Harris’s closer gap suggests she may not hinder the campaign. As fresh polls are expected soon, early signs point to a closely contested race.

Party Dynamics

Harris’s path to the nomination has been fraught with internal party upheavals. Calls for Biden’s resignation and strong opinions from key figures like Nancy Pelosi have ignited intense debates within the Democratic Party. Former President Barack Obama’s advocacy for a transparent nomination process, as noted by Politico, reflects the intricate and occasionally contentious nature of the party’s internal deliberations. Additionally, endorsements from Hillary and Bill Clinton significantly bolster Harris’s candidacy.

Harris’s Prospects and Challenges

Kamala Harris brings extensive experience and a new perspective to the race. Her previous roles as San Francisco’s District Attorney, California’s Attorney General, U.S. Senator, and Vice President highlight her leadership capabilities. Her candidacy also addresses concerns about Biden’s age and effectiveness.

Nonetheless, Harris faces notable hurdles. Her handling of border issues has been scrutinized, and questions persist regarding her appeal to suburban women and African American voters. While abortion remains a crucial issue, broader concerns like global conflicts and economic stability will also play a significant role in the election.

Selecting a Running Mate

The choice of vice-presidential candidate will be pivotal for Harris’s campaign. Potential picks such as Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, and Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear each offer distinct advantages and challenges. Whitmer’s success in Michigan, Shapiro’s popularity in Pennsylvania, and Beshear’s wins in Kentucky provide strategic benefits. The selection will need to balance executive experience, appeal in battleground states, and overall party strategy.

Looking Forward

As Harris kicks off her presidential campaign, the Democratic Party anticipates a fiercely competitive race. The influence of major donors and internal polling will significantly shape the campaign’s direction. Obama’s call for a transparent process and Harris’s proactive efforts to gain delegate support underscore the dynamic nature of the nomination process.

In conclusion, Kamala Harris’s presidential campaign represents a critical moment in American politics. With high stakes and a highly polarized environment, the coming months are likely to be as dynamic and unpredictable as the past year. Harris’s success will hinge on her ability to generate support, address key issues, and navigate the complexities of modern American politics.

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Why you need business insurance?

At present, many companies are provided with business insurance policies to safeguard their businesses. It can be defined as a risk management option to nullify the loss of a business firm.

As said earlier, any company owner in need to protect his or her businesses from risk factors like theft, natural disaster and automobile accidents can make use of business insurance. Apart from the above specified factors, you can also claim for insurance for factors like death or disability of key employees and legal liability. Today, both small and large companies are making use of business insurances to safeguard their businesses.

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Three Marketing Tactics for the Digital Age

Ever since the invention of the Internet changed society as a whole, businesses have rushed to incorporate the new conveniences of the digital age into their workflow. One area that has benefitted from the Internet’s influence is marketing. Here are three ways your business can use the Internet to reach potential customers.

Social media marketing

Social media has exerted a strong influence on the world from the moment Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram have become public companies. Since these websites are designed for connection and interaction, social media gives companies the opportunity to create interactive marketing campaigns to promote engagement among their current and potential customers.

Email marketing

Email marketing involves creating a contact list of potential customers from multiple sources on the Internet. Using services such as Mailchimp, you can send advertisements to large volumes of people with interests pertinent to your products and services. The key is consistently engaging your audience without causing them to block your messages. Javier Loya, CEO of OTC Global Holdings, advised, “Based on my experiences with email marketing at OTC Global Holdings and elsewhere, you can also use social media to drive signups for your email list. Share your signup form wherever you can sense potential customers.”

Search engine marketing

Search engines have become a tool used universally by anyone with access to the Internet. Since many people will be searching for terms related to your product, buying ads through Google Ads or other search engine services can be an effective form of marketing for the digital age. Google Ads uses an auction format to determine which company’s ads get shown, and companies make payments based on the number of clicks their ads get.

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Executive Coaching Myths and Facts

Article written by Herb Kimble

Executive coaches have devalued over the years, but they’ve never lost what makes them important. Some big names have tainted the profession and given coaching a bad name. Overall, the act of seeking advice from an executive coach is one of the most valuable investments you can make in yourself. Here are a few of the myths and some facts to help dispel them.

You Don’t Need Coaching

Oh, so you know everything there is to know about everything that impacts your life? You have all the answers and you never doubt yourself? If you’re one of the very small amount of people who can answer a sincere “yes” to these questions, kudos. For the rest of us, an executive coach is all about providing guidance to those answers.

Coaching is Just Motivating

Coaching does involve motivation, but not in the self-help kind of sense that is peddled in supermarket tabloids. A good coach will help you stop and reflect on your successes as well as your failures. They inform you through constructive criticism, acknowledge your doubt and help you feel validated. That goes much farther than simply saying kind and thoughtful words meant to inspire action.

Coaches Teach Tricks

This one can be true, but not in the sense that people think. Many who don’t approve of coaching will dismiss what a coach does as teaching tricks to control or manipulate people. They do teach tricks, but they’re about manipulating your own feelings and being in control of yourself and your own actions. A good coach isn’t full of cliche and ideas everyone’s heard before. They understand your situation and help you overcome your weaknesses with specific advice or insight you can build upon.

Herb Kimble at Speaking at Credit Repair Summit

Bio: Herb Kimble is both an entrepreneur and a film and television producer. His roots as an accomplished actor gave him a passion for the arts. Today, Herb Kimble is co-founder of CineFocus Productions and launching Urban Flix, an inclusive streaming company based in Los Angeles.

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