There’s a streaming war happening, and it’s getting hotter with every passing month. Major video-on-demand (VOD) players like Netflix and Hulu continue to pump out original content at increasing rates. And latecomers like Disney and Apple are offering services with competitive pricing that’s driving down costs. The just-released Disney+ service ($6.99) undercuts Netflix subscription price by half. And Apple TV+& $4.99 price is cheaper than both. And there’s plenty of specials and deals too. Disney is partnering with Verizon to entice its phone customers to sign up for a one-year free trial of Disney+.
And while big media companies are fighting it out over market share, it’s consumers who are winning the war. In short, it’s a great time to cut the cable cord and move to online streaming. Here are some ways to save even more money when you make the switch.
Today’s streaming services offer an enormous catalog of series, movies, and documentaries. And it’s easy to go overboard. Most streaming plans are cheaper than cable. But you can easily run up a hefty monthly bill collecting all your favorite shows. Before you know it, you’ll be subscribing to half-a-dozen streaming plans and paying the same (or more!) as you were before. So start small and add services later. Ultimately, you want to avoid the content “bloat” that cable is notorious for. So, take some time to research a good number of VOD services. The investment will save you money and score you better content.
If you’ve got a basic internet package, consider upgrading before cutting the cord. Streaming video needs a lot of high bandwidth. But don’t pay more than you have too. Consider the number of devices you have and picture quality you desire. If you’ll be streaming to several TVs, a laptop, and an Xbox console, you’ll want to jump up quite a bit in bandwidth. But if you’re only watching one big screen, you may get by with a cheaper internet upgrade. Also, consider the resolution you prefer. If you’re a 4K junkie, you’ll need somewhere between 18 to 24 megabytes per second (Mbps). But if high definition works, you can get away with 10 to 18Mbps. Maintaining the best internet speeds for streaming video will get you a reliable, clear video stream. Dropping below will result in pixelated images.
The right streaming device depends on what you have now, what you want to stream, and what service you’ll be using. If you have a smart TV, you’re already equipped to stream. Most smart TVs come with streaming apps like Netflix and Hulu already installed. So, just connect to your modem, sign up for a plan, and start streaming.
But maybe you want to stream video games too. In that case, you’ll want to look into a gaming console like an Xbox or Playstation. They support most streaming apps and provide great service. But keep in mind that game consoles use a ton of power to stream videos compared streaming devices. So, they’re less energy-efficient and will drive up your electricity bill. In contrast, streaming devices like Apple TV, Chromecast, or Amazon Fire Stick are much more energy efficient. More importantly, smaller devices like these are a fraction of the cost of an Xbox or Playstation console.
And if you’re in the market for a new smart TV for streaming, consider a Roku TV. The company built these smart TVs primarily for streaming, so they’re packed with all the apps and features for getting started. But be aware when purchasing second-hand streaming equipment like smart TVs. The world of streaming technology is constantly changing. And you may find your older device no longer supports a streaming service. For example, Netflix recently announced it would stop working on some older Roku devices and Samsung TVs. So, check model numbers before buying equipment to make sure the streaming service you want is still supported.
Here’s a problem most streamers don’t expect — more content is bad. That’s right, in the world of streaming video, you can have too many choices. It’s a common complaint from cord-cutters who find themselves spending more time scrolling than watching. While streaming services like Netflix and Amazon deploy algorithms to narrow the choices for you, it’s not a perfect science. Sometimes the “suggested for you” titles don’t match your interests. Other times, you’re in the mood for something different. The result is endless scrolling, frustration, or turning in early. So, it’s important to match your interests to a service’s catalog as best you can.
Do you like a broad mix of the latest TV shows and movies? Then you might want to go with a popular VOD offering a large catalog (just remember: more content means more to sift through). Or maybe you’re all about classic cinema, horror movies, or anime. Believe it or not, there are VOD services that deliver niche programming like these to subscribers all over the world. So, don’t choose big-name VODs just because they have an endless supply of movies. Smaller, lesser-known companies may fit your tastes better, save you from endless scrolling, and cost you less in the end. Here are a few to consider:
MagellanTV is a streaming service for documentary lovers. It offers subscribers unlimited, ad-free viewing of over 2,000 titles in categories covering science, history, biography, space, and technology. And MagellanTV’s pricing plans are competitive. Plans start at $4.99 per month for a year subscription. Plus, you get a seven-day free trial to check things out before committing, and there are no contracts to sign. Currently, MagellanTV works on Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Google Play, and iOS.
If you’re into horror, thrillers, and suspense genres, then Shudder is for you. This AMC Networks service features TV series, podcasts, movies, and even a live TV channel dedicated to the ghastly genre. Shudder offers ad-free monthly and annual plans starting at $4.75 per month. And it works on a wide range of devices like iPhone, Apple TV, Android, Roku, Amazon FireTV, Xbox One, and Chromecast.
While its content isn’t niche, its business plan certainly is. Tubi is a streaming service like Netflix and Hulu by letting you stream thousands of TV shows and movies. But there’s one little difference — it’s free! So, what’s the catch? The service contains ads. But if you don’t mind 15 to 30 second TV spots running before and throughout your content, then Tubi is a great choice for cost-conscious cord-cutters. There are some other downsides too. With Tubi, you won’t find the hottest shows, and you can’t download them to view later. It’s a streaming-only service. But with over 7,500 titles, you can’t be the price of free.
You’re gonna want to experiment and try out apps to see if they have the content you would actually watch. Keep going until you have the right combination of apps for you and your home. You don’t want too many or else it will be the same price you were paying for cable or even more.
