Is it time to cut back on cutting the cord?
At the beginning of our streaming media renaissance, our options were pretty simple: Netflix, Hulu, maybe YouTube. Our goals were straightforward: escape the rising costs of paying for cable television.
Today, it feels like we have a zillion options: HBO Max, Discovery+, Peacock and Disney+, to name a few. That doesn't count the live TV services aimed at fully replacing cable, including Sling TV and YouTube TV.
A 2021 video trends report from TiVo found the average viewer in North America subscribed to nine different streaming services during the second quarter of 2021, more than double the number in 2016.
An abundance of streaming subscriptions means we're paying more money to get our TV and movie fixes, and that dream of saving dollars by cutting the cord becomes tougher to achieve.
Need to make a change to your streaming plans? Here's what you should know:
What are my streaming options?
The good news is you have plenty of choices. Here are some of the higher profile services and what they cost:
Netflix
The basic plan is $9.99 a month, but only one person can watch at a time. The standard plan is $15.49, bumping up to two people watching at once and adding high definition support. The $19.99 Premium plan lets four people watch simultaneously and adds Ultra HD support. And Netflix has said it's exploring a cheaper plan with ads.
Hulu
Their standard plan with ads is $6.99 a month, while a version without ads (a handful of shows still include ads) costs $12.99 a month. They've also got several bundles. For example, you can subscribe to Disney+, Hulu and ESPN+ for $13.99 a month. They also have pricier bundles that include Hulu Live TV starting at $69.99 a month.
Amazon Video
If you already subscribe to Amazon Prime ($15 a month, $139 a year) for free shipping, then you get this as a bonus. If not, it's $8.99 a month.
HBO Max
Consumers have two choices: a plan with ads for $9.99 a month or no ads for $14.99 a month. The no-ad plan also includes free downloads and support for 4K.
Disney+
Right now, there's one plan for $7.99 a month or $79.99 a year. But the entertainment giant said they will introduce a cheaper, ad-supported plan later this year. The company did not say whether that will affect the price of their current, ad-free offering.
Discovery+
This is one of the more straightforward and affordable streaming services out there. Consumers get two choices here: the service with ads for $4.99 a month or no ads for $6.99 a month.
Paramount+
There's an Essential plan featuring ads for $4.99 a month and a Premium plan ditching the ads for $9.99 a month. You can also pay for both plans annually. The Premium plan also includes the consumer's local live CBS TV station.
Apple TV+
Apple's got its own plan, too, starting at $4.99 a month. The service does not show ads and includes offline downloads. Also, if you buy an Apple device, you can get three months for free.
Peacock
The NBC-supported streaming service is rare for offering a free plan with ads. There's also a Premium plan for $4.99 a month, which adds live sports and full access to their selection. The Plus plan for $9.99 offers all that with no ads, plus the option to download movies or TV shows.
What about Live TV?
If you want a more direct cable alternative, there are also several choices for live television, including the aforementioned Hulu Live TV service.
YouTube TV
There's one plan starting at $64.99 a month, and it gets pricier if you want to add channels like HBO or Showtime. You know, just like cable.
Sling TV
If you want a taste of live TV without the bigger prices, Sling has three plans to choose from: a sports-friendly Orange plan for $35 a month, an entertainment-focused Blue plan for $35 a month or all available channels for $50 a month.
Philo
The best way to describe Philo is cable without any sports channels. You get 60 live channels for $25 a month.
FuboTV
If you really like live sports, there's FuboTV, which starts at $69.99 a month for its Pro plan with 115 channels or an Elite plan with more than 170 channels for $79.99.
Streaming: With ads or without?
The obvious benefit to choosing a plan that features ads is price. Typically, plans with ads are cheaper than plans without ads.
However, some of those ads can be super annoying. A survey conducted last September by Morning Consult found 69% of U.S. adults thought ads on streaming services were too repetitive, while 64% felt they were invasive.
A good example: I subscribe to Peacock's premium plan. Programs include multiple ad breaks, but you even get served ads when you pause your show.
How to trim your streaming budget
If your streaming library has become overwhelming, and expensive, here are some tips on how to cut back.
Figure out what you really want to watch. There are multiple apps breaking down where TV shows and movies are streaming. Let these be your guide in discovering where your favorite content lives. It can really help you figure out the services that matter most.
Study your streaming habits. Do you see that streaming app icon sitting on your phone or media player and realize you haven't used it in a while? It might be time to move on.
Don't forget these four words. "Cancel at any time." Is there a show you really want to binge, but you don't want the long-term commitment? Join for one month, scratch that viewing itch, then cut ties.
Look for bundles and deals where you can. The Hulu bundles are a good example of receiving multiple streaming services for one price, which can help you save money. Meanwhile, wireless carriers offer some services as part of a plan. For example, AT&T offers some unlimited plans that include HBO Max. Some Verizon plans include Hulu and Disney+ for free. Meanwhile, some T-Mobile plans include Netflix for free.
Follow Brett Molina on Twitter: @brettmolina23.
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