Streaming is getting expensive fast. Between price hikes, new bundles and surprise charges (look at you, extra member fees), what used to be a cheaper cable alternative can now easily cost over $100 a month. With platforms like Netflix, Hulu, Peacock, Paramount Plus and Crunchyroll all raising rates, it’s no wonder your entertainment budget feels stretched.
And sure, new bundles and partnerships, like the upcoming Venu Sports, promise more value, but that also means more choices, more accounts and more monthly bills.
So here’s the real question: Are you actually watching everything you’re paying for?
If you’re holding onto five different subscriptions just to keep up with a couple of shows, it might be time to rethink your setup. You don’t have to cancel everything — just get strategic.
Here’s the simple system I use to cut down my streaming costs without sacrificing the shows I love. It’s low-effort, high-reward, and your bank account will thank you.
Rotate your streaming subscriptions
Some of you may not have cut the cable cord yet and still stream, but if you’re thinking of moving from cable exclusively to streaming, it can help save dough. With monthly plans, it’s easy to subscribe to a streaming service and cancel if prices rise or the content becomes uninteresting.
According to Deloitte’s 2024 Media Trends report, the average US household spends $61 monthly on streaming. People cancel their streaming subscriptions mainly due to price and availability — or lack of — engaging content. Media companies call this behavior “churn.” We’re calling this the rotation method, and you should try it.
The incentive? You save your coin and avoid content droughts. Let’s say a series like Only Murders in the Building or The Penguin is set to premiere on a streaming service. Find the total episode count and wait until they’re all available at once on a platform. You cancel Netflix, Hulu, Disney Plus or other service and then, once all the episodes are available, resubscribe to catch up. Alternatively, you can start streaming a show midseason to cut costs. My monthly guide on which streaming services to cancel can help you keep up.
The downside? You won’t have immediate access to every show you want to watch and will have to wait until the full season airs. And since many streaming services release new episodes weekly, you might not be caught up at the same time as your friends. If you’re someone who prefers to watch episodes immediately when they drop, you may decide it’s worth it to have multiple subscriptions at a time. If you have patience, however, you can save some money.
The strategy can also work if you have a live TV streaming service to watch a particular sport or major event like the Olympics or Super Bowl. Once the season wraps, cancel the service or move to a cheaper platform with fewer channels, like Sling TV.
Need help figuring out the best way to rotate? Follow the tips below to learn how to churn streaming platforms until your wallet feels content.
Tip No. 1: Cancel your subscription before getting charged
Set calendar reminders for your billing cycle and upcoming TV show or movie release dates. Give yourself enough warning to begin or end a subscription. Apps such as JustWatch, TV Time and Hobi help you track when and where TV shows and movies appear on a streaming service. And JustWatch added a tracker specifically for sports. If you have a smart home device from Google or Amazon, you can set reminders for specific dates and allow a voice assistant like Alexa to notify you of an upcoming bill or streaming release date.
Tip No. 2: Sign up for streaming service deals
Look for discounts on streaming services. For example, Starz regularly offers months-long deals that slash its $10-per-month price. You can also take advantage of the Disney Bundle, which provides access to Disney Plus, Hulu and ESPN Plus in a single package for a reduced price. And eligible Hulu subscribers can add on Disney Plus for $2. Lastly, be sure to look for student discounts and check with your mobile carrier to see which ones offer free or discounted streaming subscriptions.
Tip No. 3: Pick one or two default streaming services
Subscribe to one or two must-have services for the year, and select only one or two more options to fit your monthly budget. Rotate the bonus service(s) according to what you want to watch, ensuring you don’t miss your favorite shows while sticking to your monthly spending cap.
Tip No. 4: Use monthly billing only
Avoid annual subscriptions and pay attention to your auto-renewal payment dates, even if it means using one of these tracking apps. Your billing cycle can help determine when it’s the best time to quit a service, even if you’ve only signed up for a free trial. The only advantage to signing up for an annual plan is when the price is drastically cut down.
Tip No. 5: Don’t cancel your subscription, pause it
Hulu allows you to pause your subscription for up to 12 weeks, and Sling has a similar option with stipulations. Check with your streaming provider to see if you can take a temporary break without canceling.
Give it a shot, and if you don’t like it you can always resubscribe. For more excellent tips on streaming TV, check out this guide to Netflix’s hidden tricks and our tips on the best VPNs.
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