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Photo Illustration Paul Spella; (Source: Getty Images (3))
Streaming services used to seem like the promised land – virtually unlimited hours of movies and TV shows, on demand, often without all those pesky commercials. But as virtually every big media company has launched its own streaming service over the last few years, the costs and complications have skyrocketed.
In recent months, stalwarts like Netflix and Amazon’s Prime Video – which long resisted commercial interruptions of their programming – have added new ad-supported tiers at lower costs. This means savvy streamers can save up to $546 this year by switching to these monthly plans on all the major services.
One small annoyance: Unlike broadcast TV, which was designed around sponsored commercials, many of these streamers annoyingly drop ad blocks willy-nilly into shows at random intervals. But it may be an annoyance worth putting up with for those lower monthly fees.
If you feel like getting pickier, you’re not alone. About one quarter of all streaming subscribers have canceled three or more services in the last two years, according to the research firm Antenna. And fully 33 percent of us count as “serial churners” – regularly signing up and then quitting services over the course of a year. That way, we can binge on recent movies and shows from one streamer, then drop it to catch up with the fare on another service without having to pay for both at the same time.
Pro tip: You can squeeze additional savings by bundling several services together – Disney offers special packages if you want Disney+, Hulu and ESPN+ or some combination of the three, while Verizon customers can get Netflix and Max in a special discounted package. There can be extra savings if you sign up for an annual plan.
Ready to save on streaming? Here’s a guide to the eight biggest streamers vying for your subscription and how to save money with each.
Apple TV+
No ads yet, but if you’re buying a new iPad you can stream for free (for a while)
The deep-pocketed tech giant has had outsize success with a relatively slim programming slate, backing critical darlings like Ted Lasso, The Morning Show and Martin Scorsese’s Oscar contender Killers of the Flower Moon. But late last year, the service’s monthly price jumped from $6.99 to $9.99 – less than many other ad-free services but pricey considering how thin Apple’s content library is. For now, this is the last major streamer without an ad-supported tier. It’s worth noting that many people get complimentary subscriptions, ranging from three months to a full year, when they buy new Apple hardware. The service also offers a 7-day free trial. They’re hoping that if you want to cancel, you’ll forget to do so.
Disney+
Save $72 per year with ad-supported tier
The Magic Kingdom’s streamer – home to thousands of movies and shows, from Disney classics to Pixar animated gems to Marvel/Star Wars titles to National Geographic live-action fare – is currently charging $13.99 monthly, with an ad-supported version for $7.99. You can also bundle Disney+ and the more grownup-oriented Hulu for $9.99 per month or $19.99 for an ad-free version. And if you’re a sports fan who craves ESPN+, you can get all three for $14.99 monthly or $24.99 for a bundle without ads.
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