The price of streaming services continues to rise, with Apple TV+ recently increasing its monthly subscription fee from $9.99 to $12.99. As costs climb, subscribers are questioning which platform truly delivers the best value for money. One unique way to measure that value is by looking at Emmy nominations, which serve as a quantifiable metric of content quality and recognition.
Best Value: HBO Max
With 147 nominations across Warner Bros. Discovery properties, including titles like The Penguin, The Pitt, and The Last of Us, HBO Max delivers the strongest return. At $16.99 per month, subscribers are paying just 12 cents per nomination, making it the top performer in this value-based comparison.
Runner-Up: Netflix
Close behind is Netflix, with 120 nominations. At $17.99 per month, the platform offers 15 cents per nomination, edging out rivals Apple TV+ and Disney+ with Hulu. As the streaming giant with the broadest global reach, Netflix continues to leverage prestige titles alongside mainstream hits.
Apple TV+ & Disney+ with Hulu: Solid Mid-Tier Value
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Apple TV+: 79 nominations at $12.99 per month = 16 cents per nomination.
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Disney+ with Hulu: 128 nominations at $19.99 per month = 16 cents per nomination.
Both platforms sit in the middle of the pack, offering respectable critical acclaim per dollar, though Disney’s higher pricing makes its cost efficiency slightly less attractive than Netflix.
Paramount+ & Peacock: Mid-Lower Tier
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Paramount+: 53 nominations at $12.99 = 25 cents per nomination.
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Peacock: 51 nominations at $16.99 = 33 cents per nomination.
While these services deliver acclaimed shows, their Emmy totals fall short of the top contenders, pushing their cost-per-nomination higher.
Worst Value (Major Streamer): Prime Video
Despite its global dominance, Prime Video landed just 12 nominations, putting it at a startling $1 per nomination per month with a standalone subscription price of $11.98. For Emmy recognition, it’s the weakest performer among major platforms.
Worst Value (Smaller Streamer): AMC+
Subscribers to AMC+, Shudder, and Acorn TV pay $9.99 per month, but with only 6 nominations total, that works out to $1.67 per nomination — the least efficient return among all streamers in this analysis.
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Complete Breakdown (Ad-Free Tiers)
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HBO Max: 147 noms | $16.99 | $0.12 per nom
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Netflix: 120 noms | $17.99 | $0.15 per nom
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Apple TV+: 79 noms | $12.99 | $0.16 per nom
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Disney+ with Hulu: 128 noms | $19.99 | $0.16 per nom
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Paramount+: 53 noms | $12.99 | $0.25 per nom
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Peacock: 51 noms | $16.99 | $0.33 per nom
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Prime Video: 12 noms | $11.98 | $1.00 per nom
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AMC+: 6 noms | $9.99 | $1.67 per nom
Conclusion
When it comes to value measured by Emmy nominations, HBO Max is the clear winner, followed closely by Netflix. Apple TV+ and Disney+ with Hulu deliver mid-tier efficiency, while Prime Video and AMC+ trail at the bottom. For viewers prioritizing award-winning content, HBO Max currently provides the most bang for the buck.
