Top 5 Premium Streaming Services Wealthy Americans Actually Pay For
As streaming matures in the U.S., wealthier viewers are no longer defined by how many services they subscribe to, but which ones. Beyond mass platforms like Netflix or Max, a quieter tier of premium, culture-driven services has become popular among affluent, highly educated Americans.
These platforms emphasize curation, taste, and cultural capital over scale. Here are the top five premium streaming services favored by wealthy U.S. audiences, plus a few notable bonus subscriptions.
Read more: Top 5 Premium Live TV and Sports Streaming Services High-Income Americans Choose
1. The Criterion Channel
Launched: 2019
Owned by: The Criterion Collection
Price: $10.99/month or $99/year
Estimated subscribers: Low seven figures (not publicly disclosed)
 |
| The Criterion Channel |
The Criterion Channel is widely regarded as the gold standard for serious film lovers. Its library includes restored classics, international cinema, and auteur-driven films, often with scholarly commentary and curated collections.
Why wealthy viewers choose it:
Criterion isn’t about volume. It’s about authority. Subscribing signals cultural literacy and a preference for intentional viewing over algorithm-driven discovery.
Experience: Clean interface, rotating monthly programs, minimal clutter. Best enjoyed deliberately, not passively.
2. MUBI
Founded: 2007
Owned by: MUBI Inc.
Price: $14.99/month
Estimated subscribers: 12+ million globally
 |
| Mubi |
MUBI operates like a boutique cinema. Each day, one new film is added, and one leaves. The catalog leans heavily toward indie, international, and festival films.
Why wealthy viewers choose it:
MUBI appeals to younger affluent audiences, creatives, and fashion or media insiders. It rewards curiosity and patience.
Experience: Editorial-driven, stylish, and intimate. Feels closer to a film journal than a streaming service.
3. BritBox
Launched: 2017 (U.S.)
Owned by: BBC Studios & ITV
Price: $8.99/month
Estimated subscribers: 3+ million globally
 |
| BritBox |
BritBox specializes in British television, from prestige crime dramas to period adaptations and literary classics.
Why wealthy viewers choose it:
It attracts older, affluent, and highly educated viewers who value dialogue-driven storytelling and restrained performances.
Experience: Straightforward and reliable, with deep libraries rather than flashy releases.
4. Acorn TV
Founded: 2011
Owned by: AMC Networks
Price: $7.99/month
Estimated subscribers: ~2 million
 |
| What is Acorn TV |
Acorn TV focuses on international dramas, particularly from the UK, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand.
Why wealthy viewers choose it:
Its slow pacing and character-driven stories appeal to viewers who prefer thoughtful, low-noise entertainment.
Experience: Calm, uncluttered, and intentionally low-pressure. Ideal for relaxed evening viewing.
 How to Download Movies and Series from Acorn TV for Offline Watching |
5. PBS Passport
Launched: 2017
Owned by: PBS member stations
Price: $5–10/month (donation-based)
Estimated subscribers: Millions across local stations
PBS Passport offers documentaries, history, public affairs, and select dramas.
Why wealthy viewers choose it:
PBS Passport represents “quiet luxury.” It’s less about entertainment and more about lifelong learning and civic engagement.
Experience: Content-rich but modestly designed. Trusted, serious, and non-commercial.
Bonus: Other High-End Subscriptions Wealthy Americans Often Add
-
NFL Sunday Ticket – Expensive, sports-focused, and popular among high-income households.
-
F1 TV Pro – Strong overlap with younger, globally minded affluent viewers.
-
OperaVision / Medici.tv – Niche classical music and opera platforms with small but wealthy audiences.
The Bigger Picture
For wealthy U.S. viewers, streaming has become less about endless choice and more about taste signaling. Criterion, MUBI, and PBS Passport don’t compete on scale. They compete on identity.
The premium streaming isn’t louder or bigger. It’s quieter, more selective, and deeply personal.
