How to Save Money on Streaming Costs

Tired of seeing those monthly fees on your account? Hate the unexpected price increases? Ready to save some money? Us too!

Here are some strategies you can use to reduce your streaming costs, and continue to enjoy the freedom and flexibility that streaming provides over outdated cable and satellite services.

1. Drop the services your not using

   : The best way to save money is to simply identify the services you're using the least and cancel them. Often you'll subscribe to a network for a hot new show, and then 4 months later that show ends and you're no longer watching that network, but your still paying for it.

2. Rotate your subscriptions

   : Since you can opt in & out of networks on a monthly basis, create a rotating schedule where you subscribe to one network to watch a season of all your favorite shows & movies there, then cancel and subscribe to the next service that has shows and movies you want to follow. This way you don't have to pay for two networks at once.

3. Switch to Low-cost and Free Network Programming

   : The big cable replacement networks (YouTube TV, FuboTV, Hulu+, etc.) have all raised there rates. You can get lots of Free TV (Pluto, ABC New Live, CBSN, etc.), or subscribe to low-cost pay networks (Philo, TVison, etc.) with lots of bundled programming at half the cost or lower. And don't forget, local over-the-air HDTV broadcasts are free if you invest in an over-the-air antenna.

4. Use Free Trials

   : Many streaming services offer a free trial, so you might be able to binge a series or two for free. Make sure you put a cancellation reminder on your calendar so you don't get billed for a month of service.

5. Don't Choose Ad-free Subscriptions

   : Rather than paying for an ad-free subscription, you can save that money by not opting in to the ad-free tier of some network's programming. Are commercials really that bad? You still get the convenience of on-demand programming, but with ads. Plus the ad slots are typically half that of cable/satellite TV, so you'll just have time to grab a snack and your show will already be back on.

6. Cut Down on Resolution

   : With some premium plans you're paying several dollars extra for 4K content, but if you take a close look at what you're getting, you'll probably find out the with 4K upscaling on your TV, the picture you're getting on a HD signal is pretty spectacular.

7. Choose Bundles

   : Many streaming services offer bundles where you combine networks to get a lower cost. For example, get a deal on Hulu, Disney+, and ESPN+, because Disney owns all three; or, get a deal to add Cinemax or HBO Max to your Amazon Prime account at a significantly reduced price. There are lots of bundles at great prices out there, just look around.

8. Get a Mobile Carrier Deal

   : AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, and other major carriers often offer deals for getting streaming services at reduced costs, or for free. For example, some AT&T Unlimited plans come with HBO Max for free. See if you can save money by dropping a streaming service and upgrading your phone plan or buying a new device to get that streaming service for free.