Streaming has exploded in the last 15 years, slowly diminishing the cable TV we all once knew. It may be time to clean out and eliminate the streaming platforms you don’t use anymore. Many people have accumulated a great deal of platforms they forgot they were paying for.
My family recently looked at all of our streaming platforms and realized we barely use half of them. Unsubscribing from the ones we don’t use frequently really cuts down the bill.
The introduction of streaming networks such as Netflix and Hulu initially sounded great. Being able to binge new seasons of shows and go back to re-watch your favorite episodes in a series became uncomplicated.
Streaming brought more content than ever, and streaming companies attempted to catch up with their competitors, who have been in the business for over a hundred years.
Accessing this video media in your own home was thrilling and a gift. Watching blockbuster movies that major film studios produced at home was inconceivable. Simply using your laptop to watch a movie did not happen until streaming came along.
Despite that, the excessive amount of platforms and overcrowded streaming space make it, frankly, overwhelming.
The services are pumping out new shows on TV, but they are rarely quality TV, and most lack strong storylines. Streaming service’s original shows often run for one season and get canceled shortly after because of criticism.
Besides a few shows that have become ultra-popular, such as “Squid Games,” most plummet in popularity after a week or two.
Many streaming services are following traditional TV footsteps and creating release schedules for new shows. This is frustrating for consumers because the streaming layout has always made it so that shows are binge-able.
Flipping back to releasing episodes each week isn’t stimulating for viewers nowadays who have very short attention spans.
The rise in social media has changed people’s attention spans, and with the new slow-release schedules, many viewers need to be more engaged.
Movie studios are now switching back to releasing movies in theaters as they’ve seen it draws more attention and money to the movie. They won’t make a deal with a streaming service until much later after the movie hype has died down.
Once these movies dispersed to different platforms, they weren’t as enchanting because you didn’t have everything on a single service.
Movies are typically licensed to a specific platform for a few years and bounce around, platform to platform. Each platform holds the right to a unique selection. If you only have one service, you cannot access a full range of movies whenever you want.
Streaming services are also becoming less accessible with the crackdown on password sharing. Like others, I’m sure you share passwords for streaming platforms with your friends and family, but that isn’t possible anymore as many platforms won’t let you log in to specific devices if you’re not close to home.
Many people living away from their homes can access the streaming on their TVs, but when it comes to their laptops and phones, it won’t allow them to watch.
These barriers make it frustrating and even more of a reason to focus on one platform at a time.
All of this being said, what do we do about all of these services and how can users pick the ones to get without trying to break the bank?
Start by buying bundles and packages streaming services offer. It’s a bang for your buck and gives you more options if you’re still looking to concentrate but want a good collection of content. The Disney+, Hulu and Max packages are some of the best ones.
These bundles sometimes include music streaming, such as the Spotify Premium bundle with Hulu. This is a great way to stream your video and music in one deal.
I would recommend using college discounts or discounts that apply to you, such as a senior discount. Currently, Peacock and Hulu offer $1.99/month for students, Max offers $4.99/month and Amazon Prime offers $7.99/month.
These are just some of the countless student discounts. They are often forgotten, but they can be a great bargain.
Switch platforms when you see something you want to watch. This may seem tedious, but canceling a plan and starting another one is simple and saves you money because you never use the platforms you have to your advantage when there are so many. So when you see a show you want on one platform, ditch another service.
Like the fall cleaning I just did in my apartment, I recommend you do the same and go through the streaming platforms you’re paying for because it may surprise you what the bill has stacked up to over time.
