John W. Hayes
John W. Hayes
Consumer Insights and Business Expert

From blockbuster series to live sports, streaming services have transformed home entertainment. But when subscribers bump into billing errors or can’t reach support, frustration mounts. 

PissedConsumer.com carefully analyzed data from our community to understand which streaming services provided the best and worst customer service, including Netflix, Paramount+, Roku TV, Amazon Prime Video, FuboTV, PeacockTV, HBO Max, Hulu, and more. We evaluate issue resolution rates, support responsiveness, and recommendation likelihood to reveal which services deliver top-tier support.

What streaming services do you use? Share your thoughts in the comments, and tell us about your list of the best and worst streaming services!

Key Insights

  • Across all streaming services, customer support quality has the strongest impact on user satisfaction. Low issue resolution rates and poor communication significantly reduce consumer trust.
  • The worst-ranked streaming services, including Peacock TV, Roku, and YouTube TV, have issue resolution rates below 50%, contributing to low Net Promoter Scores (NPS), making users hesitant to recommend them.
  • The streaming services with higher customer satisfaction rates, such as HBO Max, Hulu, and Netflix, successfully resolve over 70% of consumer issues, making them more likely to be recommended.

What Are the Most Common Issues with Streaming Services?

Overall, US consumers are happy with the quality of the content most streaming services offer; however, the most popular issues relate to subscriptions, poor customer service, and payment complaints. Even the worst-ranked providers received praise for their "good shows" or "good channels." While viewers obviously found the content entertaining, they were less enthusiastic about various customer service issues. 

Out of nearly 23,000 streaming service reviews published on PissedConsumer, 

  • 11.36% complained about consumer issues with memberships and subscriptions, 
  • 11.23% criticized customer support, 
  • 7.37% faced unauthorized transactions or billing issues.

With customer service issues being flagged as the key differentiator for gauging the quality of streaming services, this report will focus primarily on these challenges.

Worst streaming services

What Are the Worst Streaming Services According to Consumer Reviews?

Based on PissedConsumer feedback, Peacock TV, Roku, YouTube TV, Sling TV, and FuboTV are among the worst streaming services for support responsiveness, user satisfaction, and advocacy. We've included a precise breakdown of our methodology at the bottom of this article.

Here’s how PissedConsumer users rate the bottom five streaming services:

Company Issue Resolution, % Communication Satisfaction, % Recommendation, % Overall Score

Peacock TV

38.78

25.29

8.16

722

Roku

45.79

28.38

15.55

897

YouTube TV

48.15

38.18

10.30

966

Sling TV

55.77

35.90

12.77

1044

Fubo TV

58.75

47.17

24.49

1304

Peacock TV: Poor Customer Service, Billing, and Technical Issues 

Peacock TV is a streaming service from NBCUniversal offering a mix of live TV shows, popular movies, exclusive originals, and high-profile sporting events.

Peacock TV sits at the very bottom of the pile. With more than 17,000 reviews on PissedConsumer, Peacock TV scores an average user rating of just 1.7 out of 5. With 82% of comments rated as negative, consumers highlight their experiences with poor customer service, billing, and technical issues, giving them a consumer satisfaction score of 722. 

While Peacock TV offers its viewers some incredible shows, including hit reality series The Traitors and Below Deck, only 8.16% of those surveyed said they would recommend the services.

One of the most significant issues highlighted in the survey and seen in this recent review (#6436773) was the lack of customer support available to viewers who could not access the service and were still being charged.

I paid 29.99 for year of premium and its not working I just want it to work or I want my money back. Its ridiculous Im not getting what I paid for just super annoying.

Roku: Less Than Half of Customer Service Issues Resolved

Roku is a digital media streaming platform allowing users to access movies, TV shows, and live TV via its plug-and-play devices. Alongside its own ad-supported streaming service, it provides access to various streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, and Peacock TV.

Hot on the heels of Peakcock TV, Roku has more than 16,000 reviews on PissedConsumer, with an average customer rating of just 1.9 out of 5. 

With its free-to-air business model, Roku is praised for offering good value for money. However, the service receives a lot of criticism for poor customer service, especially concerning unauthorized transactions that have allegedly been taken for premium content and app subscriptions. This issue was highlighted in a Roku review on PissedConsumer (#6483617) claiming the company is unwilling to speak with customers.

You took $50 out of my account without authorization. When I called, you gave me a bogus phone number, which goes to a voicemail that says we may not be called back. You don't want to talk to the people from whom you're actually taking the money.

The PissedConsumer survey suggests that less than half of Roku customer service issues are resolved, resulting in satisfaction rates remaining low at 28.38%, while only 15.55% of those surveyed stated that they would recommend the service.

YouTube TV: You Get What You Pay For

YouTube TV is a live TV subscription-based streaming service spun out of the original online video-sharing site that offers access to cable-like TV channels, including ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, ESPN, CNN, and more, over the internet.

With more than 25,000 reviews, YouTube TV is the most-reviewed streaming service on PissedConsumer, scoring an average customer rating of 1.8 out of 5.

While some users praise the service for its cost and available channels, others believe "you get what you pay for," as seen in this YouTube TV review, which criticizes the overall user experience.

Other customer reviews suggest that YouTube TV falls short in terms of poor customer service, technical issues, and unauthorized transactions. The PissedConsumer survey showed that less than 50% of YouTube TV customer service issues were resolved at YouTube TV, resulting in 38.18% satisfaction rates and only 10.3% saying they would recommend the service.

Sling TV: Poor Customer Service and Lousy Connections

Sling TV is another live TV streaming service that claims to offer a cheaper alternative to cable. It provides access to live sports, news, and entertainment channels, including ABC, NBC, and FOX, over the internet with no contracts.

While many consumers praise Sling TV's pricing structure and ease of use, two issues dominate this streaming service's 5,200+ reviews on PissedConsumer. These include poor customer service and lousy connections. While Sling TV is the first company ranked among the worst five streaming services to resolve more than 50% of customer service issues, only 35.9% of those surveyed suggested they were satisfied, and 12.77% would recommend the service to friends and family. This is a shame because, as highlighted in this recent review (#6473982), many users love the product but hate Sling TV’s customer service.

Getting in touch with you people is a problem. Your product is terrific. Your customer service leaves a lot to be desired.

Fubo TV: Poor User Experience

FuboTV is a live TV streaming service with a specific focus on sports content, including live games from the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, college sports, soccer leagues (Premier League, La Liga, MLS, etc.), and more.

While FuboTV’s 3,100+ reviews on PissedConsumer tell us that they appreciate the streaming service's high-quality sports content and a free trial, they struggle with poor user experience, citing a difficult-to-use website and poor customer service. Many users also complained that the service was overpriced. One recent reviewer on PissedConsumer (#6464224) highlighted the difficulty in contacting customer services to cancel an account.

They took almost $100 from my checking account and I can't reach anyone to fix it. They do not notify you when your trial is ending; they just take the money they want. Then, it's impossible to reach anyone.

While FuboTV outperforms the other services ranked in this league of "worst streaming services," with a 58.75% customer service issue resolution rate resulting in nearly 50% satisfaction levels, less than one in four users would recommend the service to fellow sports fans.

The best streaming services

What Are the Best Streaming Services for Consumers?

Based on online reviews, Paramount Plus, Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, Hulu, and HBO Max stand out as the best streaming services, achieving top scores in issue resolution, support communication, and likelihood of recommendation.

Here’s how PissedConsumer users rate the bottom five streaming services:

Company Issue Resolution, % Communication Satisfaction, % Recommendation, % Overall Score

Paramount Plus

53.38

48.78

28.61

1307

Amazon Prime Video

61.06

50.11

38.10

1492

Netflix

74.53

60.68

47.20

1824

Hulu

75.20

62.42

48.79

1864

HBO Max

73.17

59.59

58.18

1909

Paramount Plus: A Positive Customer Experience

Paramount Plus is a subscription-based streaming service featuring an expansive movie catalog from Paramount Pictures, hit TV series from CBS, MTV, Nickelodeon, and Comedy Central, plus live sports events such as NFL games, UEFA Champions League matches, and NCAA tournaments.

Customer reviews on PissedConsumer.com praise Paramount Plus for its diverse content library and seamless live sports streaming. However, billing issues, service access, and hard-to-contact customer service were the top complaints about streaming with the service, resulting in a 2.4 out of five customer rating.

Where Paramount Plus truly stands out is in its commitment to customer care. With 53.38% issue resolution and 48.78% satisfaction, Paramount Plus ranks among the best streaming services. As one happy viewer explains:

The customer service representative was extremely nice and helpful. She gave me the right answer to solve my issue!

Amazon Prime Video: Elite Service Levels

Amazon Prime Video is an online streaming service made available to viewers as part of their wider Amazon Prime subscription service. Alongside its catalog of popular studio movies, TV shows, and Amazon Originals, including The Boys, Reacher, and Fallout, the service also allows viewers to buy or rent premium content.    

Backed by Amazon’s production investments, it earns praise for both its content selection and fast, effective customer care. This is reflected in the positive figures relating to the streaming companies’ issue resolution (61.06%) and satisfaction with customer services (50.11%). 

Meanwhile, 38.10% of those surveyed said they would recommend Amazon Prime Video to a friend or relative. Some online reviews (#4771359) have even described service levels as “elite.”

Company fixed the issue and I have been provided with full refund. Full refund and very nice service elite level.

Billing issues and technical problems, such as the screen freezing during live events, may also be responsible for Amazon Prime Video only scoring an average customer rate of 2.4 out of five, suggesting there is still much room for improvement despite ranking so highly.

Netflix: Great Customer Service

Netflix, synonymous with online streaming, boasts a massive library of movies and series, including original dramas such as Stranger Things, Bridgerton, and Squid Game. While customers love the content and easy-to-use interface, persistent challenges with pricing, security, and availability of customer service agents remain. And this is perhaps why the company shares the same 2.4 out of five customer rating as Amazon Prime Video.

However, when customers do engage with customer support at Netflix, their figures are impressive, with a 74.53% resolution figure and a 60.68% satisfaction rate. This results in 47.20% of those surveyed stating they would recommend Netflix to their friends and family.

When attempting to turn a frown upside down, you can’t do better than this review of Netflix’s service (#6415994).

Resolved: Just to let people know that they have great customer service. They took care of my situation in an orderly manner and timely manner. Situation rectified.

FAQ Netflix

Hulu: 75% of Issues Successfully Resolved

Hulu offers on-demand and live TV across 90+ channels, including ESPN, ABC, Fox, NBC, plus acclaimed originals like The Handmaid’s Tale and Shōgun. Users praise the selection but sometimes criticize the user interface, occasional connection issues, and pricing.

Users love Hulu’s wide-ranging content and customizable plans, though some report a clunky interface, occasional buffering, and the service is also criticized as expensive. This may explain the 2.6 out of five customer rating.

One area the company excels in is its customer service efforts. 75.2% of issues were successfully resolved, resulting in a satisfaction rate of 62.42% and 48.79% of customers saying they would recommend the service, as demonstrated in this review.

I am not a pissed off customer. I am pleased with HULU and your customer service personnel

HBO Max: 58% of Customers Would Recommend

HBO Max is a subscription-based streaming service that combines the creative output of HBO, Warner Bros., DC, Discovery+, and much more in one platform.

And the award for the best streaming service goes to HBO Max. The company has an issue resolution rate of 73.17%, satisfying 59.59% of customers. While these figures are lower than their nearest rivals at Hulu, more than 58% of customers would recommend HBO Max to others, giving them a winning score of 1,909.

This doesn't mean HBO Max is immune to criticism. The company has a 2.6 out of five customer rating, and users frequently report problems signing up, billing issues, and occasional difficulty speaking to customer service. However, as one review on PissedConsumer demonstrates, HBO Max’s customer service team can make a huge difference when customers feel let down by the technology.

He was very, very helpful. Very knowledgeable. Very clear and one of the best customer service experiences ive ever had. Your interface is unclear unintuitive and very user unfriendly.

Tips on How to Resolve Streaming Service Issues

Based on consumer complaints from PissedConsumer.com and other sources, here are some tips for tackling common streaming service problems.

1. Improve Streaming Quality

Ensure your internet connection is stable. Use a wired connection for the best performance. If buffering persists, lower the video quality setting and disconnect other devices from the network to reduce interference.

2. Manage Subscription Costs

Regularly check your plan to avoid unnecessary features or subscriptions. Keep an eye on your bank statements for unexpected charges and report any overcharges quickly for a potential refund.

3. Get Efficient Customer Support

Prepare account info and issue details before contacting support to resolve problems faster. Use the most responsive communication channel and keep a record of your interactions for future reference.

4. Improve Navigation

Keep your app updated for the latest improvements. Personalize your profile and use search or voice commands to quickly find content.

When Great Content Meets Perfect Customer Service

The PissedConsumer survey highlights how critical, efficient, and effective customer service is in the streaming industry. While consumers generally appreciate the content offered by the very best and worst streaming services, many struggle with poor customer support, billing issues, and subscription management difficulties.

The less-rated services, including Peacock TV, Roku, and YouTube TV, all received low issue resolution rates and poor customer satisfaction. This made consumers less likely to recommend these services to their peers. In contrast, higher-rated services like HBO Max, Hulu, and Netflix demonstrated a stronger commitment to resolving customer issues, resulting in higher satisfaction rates and personal recommendations.

Despite their rankings, even the best services have room for improvement, particularly in terms of customer support accessibility, pricing transparency, and technical performance.

How could your opinion shape future consumer trends and highlight much-needed improvements in the streaming industry? Why not share your experience by joining the PissedConsumer community and writing a review?

Our Methodology

PissedConsumer.com conducted an online survey among 9,642 U.S. visitors from March 2024 to March 2025, focusing on their engagements with customer service teams to understand how consumers ranked the worst and best streaming services. The report highlights responses to three key questions: issue resolution, customer satisfaction, and likelihood of recommendation (NPS score). Each company's analysis is based on a minimum of 50 responses per question.

*The company ratings on the PissedConsumer website are calculated using a mathematical algorithm that evaluates the information in the company’s profile. The algorithm parameters are: users’ rating, the number of resolved issues, the number of company responses and more. The PissedConsumer algorithm is also subject to change in the future.

 

Legal disclaimers:

  1. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this publication, it is not intended to provide any legal, medical, accounting, investment or any other professional advice as individual cases may vary and should be discussed with a corresponding expert and/or an attorney.
  2. All or some image copyright belongs to the original owner(s). No copyright infringement intended.

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Ted Bogan #21383
Although you reported on streaming services (thank you), I want to report Citibank predatory BestBuy credit card… In late August 2024 a BestBuy salesman helped me apply for their Citibank sponsored credit card, I was told there’d be no interest charge on my purchases for 12 months, however, interest began immediately! My debt was 987.00 in September, although I set a minimum monthly payment of just $30, they’re taking $33, $35, $37, 38, 42, $43, $45, … totally disregarding the $30 minimum payment I had setup! But even worse that is the fact that they’re taking about 95% of every payment in interest fees!!!! My bill was $987 in October 2024, and ten months later it’s still $917!!! I’ve paid for 10 months, over $500 and have only received about $68 toward my credit debt!!!! The corporate office wrote me just to say because they operate out of Delaware they’re allowed to charge me like this- my interest rate is 39.55%!!!! This is predatory lending!!! And no one in our elected government is doing anything to prevent consumers from being robbed like this. I remember Obama stopped this crap but in 2016 Trump repealed the law, he’s rich so he doesn’t care, and yet he’s been re-elected, don’t you constituents pay attention! Y’all voted for him because he appealed to your racisms, but now y’all are crying the blues, it’s gonna be another long horrible three years under his presidency, America is t getting greater it’s actually sinking and you MAGA folks only have yourself to blame, the majority of you are poor whites that still harbor very racist views which allowed you to be duped into voting for a very wicked man that is now stepping on your neck too- God forewarned you of this in the Book of Daniel….