5 tips for saving money on online streaming services

Over the past few years, streaming services have grown exponentially. Nielsen’s monthly Gauge platform rankings show that the combined usage of all the streaming services in the country accounted for 34.8% of the total consumption, surpassing cable and broadcast. This is why many media companies have introduced their own subscription-based streaming services, but these can be expensive. So, here are some practical tips for saving money on these platforms.

Use one service at a time
Today, it has become increasingly difficult for viewers to keep track of all their subscriptions. Viewers lose the most money by forgetting to unsubscribe from a streaming platform after they are done with the service. So it is best to subscribe to one service at a time and cancel it before moving on to another.

Opt out of unnecessary subscriptions
If you have already subscribed to several streaming platforms, it is best to figure out which platforms you rarely use and can do without. Scroll through your phone and check credit card statements to track your subscriptions. Consider consolidating all your streaming services onto one credit card to track them easily. Over a few weeks, evaluate each service you are paying for and see if you use it frequently. Then, you should unsubscribe from the ones you don’t use often.

Use free trials
Almost all popular streaming services offer a free trial period, ranging from 3 days or a week up to a month. However, opting for a trial period involves sharing your payment details, and the platform can start the billing cycle once the trial expires. So, cancel the subscription before the trial period ends to avoid being charged. Nevertheless, a free trial enables viewers to access everything on the platform at no cost. If you only want to watch a single show, you can use the trial period to your advantage and binge on the series over a long weekend. Disney Plus, for example, is a much sought-after streaming platform offering entertainment suitable for all age groups. It features blockbuster movies and shows from popular studios like Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geographic. The platform has amassed over 100 million subscribers. If you are looking for a Disney Plus 30-day trial, then check out Verizon’s unlimited plans and get a free Disney Plus subscription for 6 months or even a year. This is ideal for those willing to try the service before subscribing to it.

Choose cheaper plans
Almost all services offer cheaper subscription plans more suitable for mobile or phone streaming. The plans offer less resolution and can last for a shorter duration. But these lower-priced options can sometimes offer more value for money than the premium ones.

Share subscriptions with friends and family
Costs escalate quickly when you opt for numerous services and long-term subscriptions. One way to save big is to opt for family and group plans. Services like Disney Plus and Netflix allow subscribers on the same plan to watch shows on different screens at the same time.

Additionally, you can also consider going for a yearly subscription for services that you are going to use all year round. It requires a one-time payment, but the per-month cost here is almost always cheaper than that of a monthly plan. Many free streaming apps can compensate for subscription fees with commercials.