The Rising Cost of Streaming and How to Fight Back
If you have been shocked by how much you spend on streaming services lately, you are not alone. Companies like Netflix, Disney, Max and others have been consistently raising prices to the point where you may question if streaming is even worth it anymore. We still think it is, but we also think you should be smart with your money, and that is where streaming deals come in.
Yes, it is possible to get discounts on services like Peacock and Paramount Plus, even if those deals are not as common as a sale on other gadgets. True streaming deals can be hard to come by. Most often, they pop up during the Black Friday shopping period. On occasion, we see them sparingly throughout the year and they usually take the form of a discounted monthly or annual rate for a limited time. Also, true streaming deals are typically on the ad-supported versions of a service.
If you are able to wait for a deal before subscribing, we recommend doing so. You will save money upfront and in the long run, and you also have the option to cancel your subscription before the price goes back up to the normal rate.
Here are some of the best streaming deals you can find right now.
Paramount Plus Essential is available for 30 dollars for one year, which is a 50 percent discount. New and returning subscribers can get half off one year of the service. The discount runs through September 18.
Apple Music is offering its Family Plan for three months for free for new subscribers. This represents a savings of over 50 dollars.
Spotify Premium Individual is available for three months for free for users who have not signed up for the Premium service before. Just be aware the subscription will auto-renew at the end of the trial period.
DirecTV has all of its signature packages for 35 dollars off for your first month when you sign up. The base Entertainment package starts at 50 dollars for the first month.
A DashPass Annual plan currently includes access to HBO Max with ads for no extra cost for 96 dollars a year. You can then decide to upgrade to an ad-free plan for a discounted rate.
Fubo has introductory discounts, with its Pro package starting at 55 dollars per month for the first month, which is 30 dollars off.
YouTube TV is offering three months of service for 50 dollars per month for new subscribers, which is a savings of 99 dollars.
Sling TV is offering new customers 50 percent off the first month of either its Orange or Blue plan.
Peacock is offering a 50 percent discount for medical professionals and first responders, which requires annual verification.
There are also significant student discounts available. HBO Max offers its ad-supported tier to students for 5 dollars per month, a 50 percent discount. Hulu offers its ad-supported plan to students for just 2 dollars per month. Spotify offers a student plan that includes both Premium music and Hulu with ads for only 6 dollars per month. The NBA offers a League Pass student discount for 120 dollars for the year.
Beyond individual service discounts, streaming bundles are another way to save. There is more consolidation happening now than ever before, and that means there are more bundle options. These bundles offer access to more content with one subscription price.
The Disney Plus, Hulu, HBO Max bundle with ads is available for 17 dollars a month, a 43 percent savings. Disney and Hulu also offer a premium bundle with no ads for 20 dollars a month. Hulu Live TV with Disney Plus and ESPN Plus is available for 96 dollars a month. The Disney Plus, Hulu, ESPN Plus bundle with ads is 17 dollars a month, a 46 percent savings. The premium, ad-free version of that trio is 27 dollars a month.
Sling TV and HBO Max have partnered on a discount that gives new subscribers 50 percent off their first month of Sling TV, plus 5 dollars off monthly for the bundle. Paramount Plus with Showtime is available for 13 dollars per month or 120 dollars for the year.
While the cost of streaming is undoubtedly rising, strategic shopping through limited-time deals and bundled packages can help you keep your monthly entertainment budget in check. The key is to be patient and jump on promotions when they appear.
