In 2026, streaming platforms continue to rise in popularity among college students, with options including Netflix, Prime Video and Paramount+. From April 20 to April 23, students at Georgia College & State University shared the streaming platforms on which they consume their favorite sports events.
“I watch MLB for baseball and then ESPN for hockey and other stuff,” said Sydney Carroll, a junior psychology and criminal justice major.
Carroll said she believes user experience plays a role in how she interacts with each platform.
“MLB has a really good user interface,” Carroll said. “You can listen to or watch the game and don’t have to maneuver through a lot.”
Carroll compared those features to other platforms she uses.
“YouTube TV is kind of similar to watching cable, and you can scroll through the channels,” she said. “ESPN is more widely used, so I sometimes have a little bit of difficulty with it.”
Marisol Schroth, a sophomore nursing major, said she prefers college football.
“I usually watch Georgia Bulldogs football on the app they have or on my TV,” Schroth said. “I watch some on Netflix, too.”
Schroth also discussed the pricing and affordability of these services, noting how costs can affect college students.
“My parents are usually the ones buying the subscription,” Schroth said. “But if I was paying myself, I would not have enough funds for that.”
When it comes to in-person versus online viewing, Schroth said finances often play a role.
“If there’s a lot of money to go to the games in person, streaming is an option for people who might not be able to go,” Schroth said. “That just makes it easier for everyone.”
Joshua Pierce, a sophomore management major, said he watches sports through a variety of platforms.
“I use apps like YouTube TV and MLB,” Pierce said.
Pierce said he believes YouTube plays a significant role in sports streaming.
“I don’t know how it works, but either YouTube pays the leagues, or the leagues pay YouTube to be able to stream on these platforms,” he said.
Whether baseball, football or hockey, students like Carroll, Schroth and Pierce described their sports viewing experience as more than just the game itself. They said accessibility, affordability and personal preference influence where and how they watch sports.
Carroll and Pierce both said having YouTube TV makes streaming more efficient, allowing viewers to watch from home. Similarly, Schroth said she appreciates having an alternative to attending games in person, especially for those who cannot afford tickets.
As sports streaming continues to grow in popularity across major leagues, students are likely to keep engaging with these platforms. For students like Schroth, streaming provides greater accessibility, especially for those who cannot afford multiple subscriptions.
Subscriptions surrounding media outlets differ from one to another. A YouTube TV subscription costs $82.99 per month, according to YouTube TV.
An Amazon Prime Video subscription is included when purchasing an Amazon Prime subscription. An Amazon Prime subscription costs $14.99 per month, according to Amazon.
Paramount + offers subscriptions through different outlets. You can purchase a Paramount + subscription for $8.99 per month. A Walmart + subscription includes a subscription to Paramount + as well.
Those interested in sports streaming can download these apps through official app stores or on streaming devices such as Roku.