For generations of kids, Nickelodeon has been a go-to source for entertaining, enriching, and slime-filled TV content. Classic Nickelodeon characters like SpongeBob SquarePants and Dora the Explorer are practically members of the family for many of us.
But as more and more households cut the cord on traditional cable, access to Nickelodeon has become a key consideration for families looking to make the switch to streaming. After all, what good is saving money on a cable bill if it means losing access to your kids‘ favorite shows?
Fortunately, Nickelodeon has embraced the streaming landscape, partnering with several top services to bring its beloved programming to the masses. As of 2024, there are over five streaming services that include Nickelodeon – but they‘re not all created equal.
In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll take a deep dive into all the major streaming options for Nickelodeon fans, complete with comparative pricing data, channel breakdowns, and analysis of which service is the best fit for your family. Let‘s get started!
The State of Streaming in 2024
Before we jump into the specifics of streaming Nickelodeon, let‘s set the stage with a quick look at the overall state of the streaming industry. The past few years have seen some major shifts:
- In 2022, the number of streaming service subscriptions surpassed cable TV subscriptions for the first time ever. (1)
- 74% of US households now have at least one streaming service, with the average subscriber paying for four services. (2)
- The rising cost of cable and satellite TV has driven many to cut the cord for good. The average pay-TV bill reached $128 per month in 2022. (3)
For families with kids, access to children‘s programming is one of the biggest factors in choosing a streaming service. In a 2023 survey, 58% of parents with children under 12 said that having their kids‘ favorite shows was a "must-have" for a streaming service. (4)
Nickelodeon has long been a leader in the kids‘ TV space. It‘s the top-rated network for kids ages 2-11 and has been for 27 years straight. (5) Shows like PAW Patrol, The Loud House, and Blue‘s Clues & You! continue to draw in millions of young viewers.
So it‘s no surprise that several of the top streaming services have struck deals to bring Nickelodeon into the fold. But the specifics of what each service offers vary quite a bit. Let‘s break it down.
Philo
If keeping costs low is your top priority, Philo is one of the best values out there for families. Its sole package rings up at just $25 per month and includes four Nickelodeon channels:
- Nickelodeon
- Nick Jr.
- NickToons
- TeenNick
On top of that, you get over 60 other top channels including AMC, Comedy Central, Discovery, HGTV, and MTV. Philo also comes with some generous bonus features:
- Unlimited cloud DVR storage (recordings save for one year)
- On-demand library with 60,000+ titles
- Ability to stream on up to three devices simultaneously
- 7-day free trial for new subscribers
One downside of Philo is that it doesn‘t offer any local channels, so you‘ll need a separate antenna to pick up your area‘s free broadcast stations. It also lacks some of the more specialized Nickelodeon offshoots like NickMusic and NickSports. Still, at just $25 per month for the core Nick lineup, Philo is a bargain for families on a budget.
FuboTV
Originally focused on streaming sports, FuboTV has expanded into a fully-featured cable alternative in recent years. Its base "Pro" plan now includes over 150 channels for $74.99 per month, including:
- Nickelodeon
- Nick Jr.
- TeenNick
To access the full suite of Nickelodeon channels, you‘ll need to step up to the "Elite" package at $84.99 per month. This bumps the total channel count to over 200 and adds:
- NickToons
- NickMusic
Both plans come with a substantial set of bonus features as well:
- 1,000 hours of cloud DVR storage
- Ability to stream on 10 devices at home and two on the go
- On-demand library with many shows and movies
- 7-day free trial
One unique feature of FuboTV is its "MultiView" mode that lets you watch up to four channels at once on the same screen – a nice touch for families with diverse viewing tastes.
DirecTV Stream
The streaming arm of satellite TV provider DirecTV has packages starting at $74.99 per month for the "Entertainment" tier, which includes:
- Nickelodeon
- Nick Jr.
The next step up is the "Choice" package at $99.99 per month, which adds over 30 more channels including:
- NickToons
All DirecTV Stream plans include unlimited cloud DVR storage, though recordings expire after nine months. You can stream on up to 20 devices on your home network.
The service also offers its own dedicated streaming device, which aims to replicate the feel of a traditional cable box. But it has limited support for third-party devices compared to other streaming services.
Hulu + Live TV
Hulu‘s live TV package combines the best of both worlds, pairing over 80 channels with access to Hulu‘s deep on-demand library. The base plan costs $69.99 per month and features:
- Nickelodeon
- Nick Jr.
- NickToons
The $9.99 per month "Entertainment Add-On" increases the total channel count to over 100, including:
- TeenNick
Hulu + Live TV is a solid choice for families who want to mix live Nickelodeon programming with a deep bench of on-demand options. The service includes:
- Unlimited cloud DVR storage (shows save for nine months)
- Ability to stream on two devices simultaneously (can be upgraded)
- Full access to Hulu‘s on-demand library with limited ads
- 5.1 surround sound on select devices
- Option to bundle with Disney+ and ESPN+ for $75.99 per month
YouTube TV
Google‘s take on the cable alternative has won plaudits for its clean interface and strong channel lineup. For $72.99 per month, you get over 100 channels including:
- Nickelodeon
- Nick Jr.
- NickToons
Other family-friendly channels like Boomerang, Cartoon Network, and PBS Kids are included as well.
YouTube TV‘s standard package features:
- Unlimited cloud DVR storage with recordings saved for nine months
- Ability to stream on up to three devices simultaneously
- Option to add up to five additional family member accounts
- Strong parental controls and kid-safe interface option
For families heavily invested in Google‘s ecosystem, YouTube TV offers some unique integrations. You can control it with Google Assistant voice commands, and it ties in nicely with Google Home/Nest smart devices.
Paramount+
In a sense, Paramount+ is the "official" streaming home of Nickelodeon content. The service is owned by Paramount Global (formerly ViacomCBS), Nickelodeon‘s parent company.
For $5.99 per month (or $59.99 per year), the "Essential" plan provides access to a deep library of on-demand Nickelodeon shows, including exclusive originals like Kamp Koral: SpongeBob‘s Under Years. The $9.99 per month ($99.99 per year) "Premium" plan removes ads and includes a live stream of your local CBS station.
But Paramount+ is a pure on-demand play – it doesn‘t offer the actual Nickelodeon cable channel. For that, you‘ll still need one of the multichannel live TV services above.
Think of Paramount+ as a nice supplement to a more expansive service like YouTube TV or Hulu + Live TV. It provides a vast bank of Nickelodeon shows to dive into on your own schedule, while a live TV service allows for the more traditional experience of flipping on the Nickelodeon channel and seeing what‘s on.
Making the Right Choice for Your Family
With all these options, it can feel a bit daunting to figure out which streaming service is the best fit for your household‘s Nickelodeon needs. Here are a few key factors to consider:
Budget: If price is your primary concern, Philo is the clear value leader at just $25 per month for 60+ channels including the core Nickelodeon lineup. But stepping up to a pricier service like FuboTV or DirecTV Stream will get you a wider selection of Nickelodeon channels plus more bonus features.
Channel preferences: Do you just want the main Nickelodeon feed, or are your kids into the deeper cuts on NickToons and TeenNick? Make sure to check the specific channel lineups to ensure your favorites are included.
On-demand needs: Is a live TV feed of Nickelodeon enough, or do you want a deep library of on-demand shows as well? If it‘s the latter, consider a service like Hulu + Live TV that comes with an built-in on-demand component, or plan to add on a subscription to Paramount+.
Viewing habits: Think about how your family likes to watch TV. If you prefer to record shows and watch them later, a service with ample cloud DVR storage is key. If your kids tend to watch simultaneously on multiple devices, you‘ll want a plan that supports several concurrent streams.
In the end, don‘t be afraid to mix and match services to create your ideal streaming setup. Many families choose one live TV service for core channel access, then add on a couple of specialized on-demand services like Paramount+ to round things out.
Comparative Tables
To make your decision a bit easier, here are some comparative tables showing how the major services stack up:
Monthly base price:
| Service | Price |
| — | — |
| Philo | $25 |
| YouTube TV | $72.99 |
| Hulu + Live TV | $69.99 |
| FuboTV (Pro) | $74.99 |
| DirecTV Stream (Entertainment) | $74.99 |
Key channels included:
| Service | Nickelodeon | Nick Jr. | NickToons | TeenNick | NickMusic |
| — | :—: | :—: | :—: | :—: | :—: |
| Philo | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | |
| FuboTV (Pro) | ✔️ | ✔️ | | ✔️ | |
| FuboTV (Elite) | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| DirecTV Stream (Entertainment) | ✔️ | ✔️ | | | |
| DirecTV Stream (Choice) | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | | |
| Hulu + Live TV | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | | |
| Hulu + Live TV (Entertainment add-on) | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | |
| YouTube TV | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | | |
Bonus features:
| Service | Cloud DVR storage | Simultaneous streams | On-demand library |
| — | — | — | — |
| Philo | Unlimited (1 year) | 3 | 60,000+ titles |
| FuboTV | 1,000 hours | 10 home / 2 away | Included |
| DirecTV Stream | Unlimited (9 months) | 20 home | Included |
| Hulu + Live TV | Unlimited (9 months) | 2 (upgradable) | Hulu on-demand library |
| YouTube TV | Unlimited (9 months) | 3 | Included |
The Future of Nickelodeon Streaming
The explosion in streaming popularity has fundamentally changed how we watch TV – and Nickelodeon is making sure it keeps up with the times. Beyond securing carriage deals with all the major services, the company is investing heavily in streaming-first content.
In 2022, Nickelodeon announced plans to spend $1 billion on programming for Paramount+. (6) This has already yielded several new original shows and movies, with franchises like SpongeBob SquarePants, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and Dora the Explorer all receiving fresh streaming-exclusive spinoffs.
ViacomCBS CEO Bob Bakish has touted Nickelodeon as one of Paramount+‘s "key differentiators," noting that children‘s programming is a strong driver of subscriptions and engagement for the service. (7) Nickelodeon shows regularly chart among Paramount+‘s most-watched titles.
The company has also experimented with new interactive formats like the "Meet the Nicktoons" live event, which allowed viewers to engage with animated characters in real time. Expect Nickelodeon to keep pushing the boundaries of what a "TV channel" can be as it adapts to the streaming age.
Of course, Nielsen ratings still show that the majority of Nickelodeon viewing happens through traditional pay-TV packages. But those numbers are steadily shifting as more families cut the cord each year. In 2022, Nickelodeon notched year-over-year ratings gains on TVs connected to streaming devices for the first time. (8)
The takeaway? However you prefer to watch, Nickelodeon will be there. The iconic brand has so far been nimble in adapting to the streaming revolution, securing its spot in the channel bundles and on-demand libraries of families everywhere.
So go ahead and cut that pricey cable cord with confidence. With a bit of research and the right streaming setup, your kids will still be able to visit Bikini Bottom or sing along with Blue whenever they want.
References
(1) "Streaming Overtakes Cable TV Viewing for First Time, Nielsen Says." The Hollywood Reporter, 2022.
(2) "The State of Streaming: 2023." Forbes, 2023.
(3) "Cord-Cutting Hits Record Levels as More Viewers Turn to Streaming." Variety, 2022.
(4) "2023 Parents & Streaming Survey." ParentsTogether, 2023.
(5) "Nickelodeon Wins 27th Straight Year as Top Network With Kids." Deadline, 2023.
(6) "Nickelodeon to Spend Over $1 Billion on Paramount+ Content." Bloomberg, 2022.
(7) "Nickelodeon Content a ‘Key Differentiator‘ for Paramount+." Fierce Video, 2023.
(8) "Nickelodeon Notches Streaming Ratings Gains as Young Viewers Shift Habits." Kidscreen, 2022.
