When we're looking at the best stocks to buy right now, it's often a good idea to look at what companies are innovating technologies that can come along and remove the old paradigm. Companies that offer online streaming have a foothold in a growing industry that's starting to change the way we traditionally do things.
You see, the way we watch television is changing. The younger generations, like the millennials, increasingly watch their favorite TV shows in a completely different way than do older adults - they watch more and more shows online. Many of them do not even own a TV.
At present, some of this is still done illegally using torrents and TV/movie piracy websites, but now former pirates are turning their attention towards legal streaming services such as Netflix and Amazon.
And the way Amazon and Netflix have gone about creating a quality online streaming experience makes them some of the best stocks to buy right now...
Why Netflix and Amazon are Two of the Best Stocks to Buy Right Now
Netflix and Amazon arrived first in the new online streaming medium with quality TV shows and even original content. They have established themselves as the Fox, HBO, and Showtime of the future simply because of the amount of shows they can offer at present.
Though many networks have their own services, Netflix and Amazon are better positioned to take advantage of online streaming more than the competition - including new services by Apple and other technological giants.
Moreover, Netflix and Amazon have started to invest heavily in original programming, recognizing it as an additional path for future growth beyond solely relying on the major TV networks' content.
The best example of what a new online TV streaming service can offer is undoubtedly Netflix's "House of Cards," starring Kevin Spacey, Kate Mara, and Robin Wright.
Based on a BBC miniseries of the same name, it quickly became a must-see show among viewers and critics alike. The show has earned universally positive reviews, and there's little doubt that this is a top-drawer show has even surpassed many shows produced by major networks like HBO, FX, and Showtime.
Amazon also is starting to do quality original programming. "Alpha House," another political show (though a lot more satirical than House of Cards), features some big names as well - among them John Goodman and Bill Murray. It's yet another good example that the TV networks are not the only place to go to for quality programming.
These shows' collective success is a strong indicator that online streaming services are here to stay. Not only Netflix and Amazon get the streaming rights to lauded shows like Breaking Bad, but they can also produce their own critic's choice shows.
The companies have even adopted a policy of reviving other shows that major networks prematurely cancelled. "Arrested Development" is a good example of this. Season 4 of this popular program was filmed exclusively for Netflix, featuring some very big names in comedy, and allowing the show's cult following to view all 15 episodes at once (if they had the inclination to watch a whole day's worth of TV in one sitting).
Currently, Amazon's and Netflix's share price do not reflect their potential growth. That means both are two of the best stocks to buy right now for a long-term growth investment.