What Streaming Services Can You Get on a Nintendo Switch in 2024?

The Nintendo Switch currently offers a limited selection of streaming apps – mainly YouTube, Hulu, Funimation, Crunchyroll, and Pokémon TV. Major services like Netflix, Disney+, HBO Max, and more are still notably absent. While some technically-savvy users have installed additional apps via mods, this complex process risks damaging your Switch.

Streaming Services Available on Nintendo Switch

Here are the streaming options currently available on the Nintendo Switch eShop:

YouTube

As expected, the Switch offers the official YouTube app for free. This works smoothly for searching and streaming videos on the go. You can even sign in with your Google account to access subscribed channels and personalized recommendations.

The main downside is the lack of 4K or HD streaming support – max video quality is 1080p. But for casual viewing on the Switch‘s 720p screen, standard definition YouTube is sufficient.

Hulu

Hulu provides the most robust streaming library of the official Switch apps. The base subscription ($7.99/month) offers thousands of movies, shows, Hulu originals and more on demand.

Upgrading to the $12.99/month no-ads plan or $69.99/month Hulu + Live TV unlocks more content, additional screens, and live sports/news. You can also add on premium channels like HBO Max and Showtime.

In my experience, the Hulu app works very reliably on Switch both docked and handheld. The interface lacks some features of other platforms, butfinding and watching content is smooth. Downloads for offline viewing are sadly unavailable.

Funimation

This anime/animation focused streaming service caters to a niche audience. But if you want to watch subbed or dubbed anime on your Switch, a Funimation subscription provides tens of thousands of episodes and movies.

Pricing starts at $5.99 per month going up to $99.99 annually. One nice bonus is that Funimation content can also be streamed on other devices like phones simultaneous to the Switch.

Crunchyroll

Crunchyroll is Funimation‘s main anime competitor – with a similarly massive library of subbed/dubbed shows and exclusive series. Streaming starts at $7.99 monthly with bulk savings for 3/12 month signups.

The apps are nearly identical in function, so choosing comes down to anime catalog preferences. Multi-device streaming is enabled as well. Video and performance quality meets expectations for anime streaming on the Switch.

Pokémon TV

This free, official app allows fans to stream hundreds of episodes across Pokémon animated series. Films and specials are available too. For the casual viewer, Pokémon TV‘s ad-supported model gives you plenty at no cost.

Young children will especially enjoy the episodes, movies and content curated for Pokémon fans. Picture and sound quality is somewhat basic compared to other services though.

What Major Streaming Services are Missing on the Nintendo Switch?

Given its hybrid portable/home console capabilities, many fans reasonably expected the Nintendo Switch to offer popular streaming apps found on platforms like the PS4, Xbox One, and smart TVs.

Unfortunately, nearly 6 years after launch, mainstream services TargetAudienceare still conspicuously absent in 2024.

No Netflix

Despite over 221 million worldwide subscribers, Netflix has yet to launch on the Switch eShop. The reason comes down to Nintendo prioritizing gaming over a multimedia vision. Still, as the predominant name in video streaming, Netflix‘s absence remains the Switch‘s most glaring entertainment app omission.

Analysts don‘t expect Netflix integration anytime soon either. But with subscriber churn hitting record levels, Netflix execs would be wise to tap into the sizable audience of over 114 million Switch owners.

No Disney+

This wildly popular streamer packed with Star Wars, Marvel, Pixar and other properties has also yet to come to the Switch. And Disney+‘s help documentation bluntly states "the Nintendo Switch is not a supported Disney+ device."

It seems the House of Mouse wants to reserve its streaming presence for Apple, Google, Microsoft and smart TV platforms only. Unfortunate, but not wholly surprising.

No Amazon Prime Video

Both first-party development and the eShop have always been secondary concerns for Nintendo. So the lack of Amazon‘s streaming service fails to shock most users.

Amazon also hasn‘t shown much initiative integrating Prime Video on niche devices. Too many roadblocks exist between these corporate giants.

No HBO Max

Despite HBO Max availability expanding to new platforms in 2022 like Tesla vehicles, it remains restricted from the Switch. The irony does not escape fans eager to stream HBO originals like The Last of Us which premiered the same day as the acclaimed Switch game.

Again, Nintendo‘s laser focus on showcasing its IPs and gaming ecosystem alone hamstrings media versatility that Switch owners reasonably expect in 2024.

Streaming Workarounds for the Nintendo Switch

While no solutions exist to directly bring the missing services above onto Switch, some technically-savvy users have found workarounds:

Jailbreaking – By installing custom firmware (CFW), owners can "jailbreak" the Switch to sideload unapproved apps and games similar to rooted Android devices. TheComplex process carries a strong risk for bricking if done improperly however.

Android OS Mods – Some methods allow you to dual boot Android on the Switch and install apps like Netflix or Spotify from the Google Play Store. Performance varies greatly and imposes hardware limitations though.

Both options violate Nintendo‘s terms of service and permanently alter your system from original specifications. For most general consumers wishing to safely stream video on the Switch, such complex mods remain impractical.

Will More Streaming Services Ever Come to Nintendo Switch?

here is my analysis and predictions on the future streaming outlook for the Nintendo Switch platform:

I expect minimal growth in the Switch‘s entertainment app library as the device passes the midway point of its lifecycle. Nintendo executives reaffirm that gaming remains the sole priority – not chasing multimedia features to match Sony or Microsoft consoles.

Barring a major shift in strategy, we will likely never see full-fledged apps for Netflix or Disney+. Limited traction from deals like Funimation and Pokémon TV haven‘t spurred additional partnerships. And investing resources into streaming capabilities remains unlikely with Nintendo‘s focus fixed squarely on pioneering new interactive gameplay experiences instead.

Third parties adding support also seems improbable without greater incentives from Nintendo. Hulu‘s success illustrates demand for more mature entertainment on the kid-friendly Switch. But the content gatekeepers seem unwilling to budge. Exceptions may come down to isolated cases like the recent Beatles SingAlong announcement. We‘ll have to take the scraps where we can get them!

For the engaged Switch gamer unsatisfied with basic Hulu and YouTube streaming alone, the only recourse lies with hacking unofficially into a stranger multimedia future. While risky and limited, content modders at least grant a glimpse of the Switch‘s untapped potential beyond Nintendo‘s family-first shackles. Ultimately, our nostalgia blinds rational judgement. We deserve access to all entertainment – not just MARIO‘s world!