Save money on streaming services with these top tips (Image: Getty)
Netflix have been dubbed “greedy” by angry subscribers after those in the US using the ad-supported subscription, discovered that they were unable to watch TV shows and films.
Subscribers discovered they couldn’t access around 150 TV shows and movies, including House of Cards, Peaky Blinders, and Spy Kids: Mission Critical. Following the revelation, frustrated viewers took to to voice their anger after discovering a lock icon on certain content they searched for.
They were then informed those shows could be watched if they paid for an ad-free subscription which costs £10.99 compared to the standard price of just £4.99, which includes ads.
have since responded to the controversy, saying that some content is locked to these subscribers due to complex licensing agreements and restrictions.
In response to this, many subscribers have started looking to cut their streaming costs, while ensuring that they can still access their favourite shows and movies.
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There are a number of ways to redcuce your streaming costs (Image: Getty)
Thankfully, Nick Drewe, retail expert and founder of discount platform , has shared his expert advice on how households can look to reduce their monthly expenses when it comes to streaming and how to still enjoy these services without breaking the bank.
His first tip is to be sure to utilise everything each service has on offer noting Amazon Prime as one streaming service that has much more on offer alongside their TV and film options, pointing out that they also offer free one-day delivery, e-books, Amazon Fresh, and same-day grocery delivery.
“So if you are paying the Prime subscription price, it is important to make use of all of its services, not just one or two,” Nick explained.
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Make sure to get everything out of the services you’re paying for (Image: Getty)
“Take a look at the channels and services you are regularly consuming content from and ask yourself, ‘Do I need to pay for all of these TV and film streaming services at the same time?'” suggests Nick. “If the answer is no, , Amazon Prime, and Disney+ all allow you to cancel a monthly plan without an exit fee.
“Therefore, if there is a particular program being launched that you know you will be bingeing, it’s perfectly feasible to cancel the other platforms you won’t use as much and continue alternating the platforms you pay for in order to save some money.”
You should also be sure to downgrade plans when possible, for example, offers a range of subscriptions and if you’re the only person making use of it, it may be worth opting for the cheapest option.
Another tip that could save you money, in the long run, is to pay annually for subscriptions where possible, Nick explains: “It’s often cheaper to pay for a subscription annually rather than monthly.
“So, if you’re confident that you’ll use the service regularly, it may be worth paying the upfront cost to save money in the long term. With many subscriptions, companies are looking to tie you in for the year, so the monthly cost will usually work out more after paying it over twelve months.”
Nick’s final tip is to be sure to cancel any services you aren’t using, as he says: “Finally, cancel anything that you don’t use. If you have several bank accounts with small outgoings of subscription fees, you can use an app like Money Dashboard to see an overview of your outgoings and spot subscriptions that you may not want or need anymore.
“Remember, there is always a free alternative too. The likes of All4, ITV Hub, and My5 give you some great box sets free of charge, although you can pay to view them without adverts.”