Now more than ever, it can feel overwhelming to keep up with the growing number of streaming services. Once, watching a new movie or keeping up with your favorite show was as easy as renting it, but now you might need Hulu, Netflix, or any other number of streaming platforms out there. While subscribing to everything might not seem feasible, there are a number of ways to balance your time and money efficiently.
Subscribe Based On Library
This might seem like an obvious step, but a streaming service’s library is one of the most important factors in its worth. You might think you’re getting a worthwhile amount of content out of your subscription, but if you’re only utilizing it to watch one movie per month then it might be more cost-effective to look at rental options. One practice that is sure to help you evaluate the importance of a streaming service is to browse the categories that interest you. If, for instance, you’re mainly a fan of horror movies and very few on a platform interest you, then it might not currently be worth the subscription.
You should look at it in terms of cost per media watched. If you only watched two movies in the last month and spent $20 on your streaming plan, then you’ve effectively spent the equivalent of $10 per movie rental. This line of thinking also prevents you from staying subscribed to a service after you’ve finished watching or lost access to the things that interested you in the first place.
Weigh the Pros & Cons of Cable
Reliance on cable television has lowered in younger audiences since the first streaming services. With thousands of movies and TV shows right at your fingertips, logically it makes sense that some households have moved on from cable TV. That is not to say that cable doesn’t still have its place, however. Despite the plethora of streaming services available, there are plenty of movies and classic series alike that remain unavailable anywhere but network television. There’s also the convenience of cable and internet bundles to take into consideration.
If you find that you’re only looking to own certain channels, streaming services often come with the option of live TV. This costs an additional fee on top of the standard subscription fee but often features networks like HBO and Starz. Generally, this option is only warranted if you have an interest in a specific network, as the cost can equal that of a secondary streaming service in some cases.
Internet Speed is a Big Factor
If you’ve ever noticed your stream buffering or having jittery quality, then your internet package might not be up to the task of handling modern streaming services. Depending on your patience and the frequency of this problem, you might find that streaming services are not worth the investment for you. Some streaming plans might even offer quality options for higher prices. If your internet provider can’t consistently handle 1080p content, then a more affordable option at 720p is a deal worth considering. There’s also the option of looking into cable and internet packages as mentioned previously. With Internet Near Me, you can find local internet and TV providers near you via your ZIP code. They’ll even work with you to provide the best service package for your specifications.
There are plenty of ways to budget your streaming setup. When taking your ideal library into account, weighing out the benefits of cable vs live TV, and working out the perfect plan to match your internet service provider, you’re almost certain to save money with your new streaming setup.