How to save on TV streaming services

TV streaming is a must-have in many homes, with two-thirds of households now viewing film and tv on demand using services such Netflix, Disney+, Apple TV and Amazon Prime Video. With the prospect of long, dark winter evenings and colder weather ahead, having a limitless library of TV programmes and films available to watch at the flick of a button has huge appeal!

It’s not surprising that two-thirds of Brits (65%) have at least one streaming subscription service, according to Finder and almost half of us have two or more. Netflix is the most popular, with more than half of all households in the UK subscribed (57%).

However, if you’re signed up to more than one service to keep everyone happy, the cost soon mounts up. While you can still get some streaming services for round £5 a month, expect to pay few pounds more a month if you want to avoid the ads. For instance, Netflix’s basic service is £4.99 a month for streaming on two devices (with ads), sign up to its premium package so four members of the household can watch what they want (in Ultra HD) and you’re forking out £17.99.

So if you’re looking for ways to trim the household bills this autumn, remember there’s plenty of cheap and free content out there for your late-night TV binges. Our top tips will help you stay entertained without breaking the bank.

Want to watch a specific show?

Use the search tool at Justwatch.com to see where a series you want to watch is available. It may be available through free services such as BBC iPlayer, as well as on pay-for services.

If you want to watch a show that’s exclusive to a subscribed service, such as Amazon Prime, or Now TV, you can sign up for a free trial and then cancel before the subscription ends. Often, all the episodes from past seasons are available too, so you could watch them all for free.

It’s worth noting that Netflix no longer offers a free trial but you can cancel anytime.

Get a cheaper subscription

A bundle of services can be cheaper than paying for each individually. If you already pay for Sky TV and Netflix separately, you can save money by bundling them together from £26. You don’t need to cancel your existing Netflix account to do this — Sky will make the transition for you.

Look out for deals on cashback sites, such as Quidco and Top Cashback, which give you money when you sign up to a streaming service as a new customer.

Alternatively, some mobile phone contracts include a Netflix or Amazon Prime subscription. For instance, Vodafone customers on a Red bundle can get YouTube Premium, Spotify Premium or Amazon Prime included in their mobile plan and at a Netflix subscription to the monthly mobile plan. With Sky Mobile, you can watch Sky TV on the go without using your data, at no extra cost to your subscription.

GHI TIP: Watching streamed content on a smartphone can burn through your data allowance, so either download shows before you head out via wi-fi or stream a low-quality version.

Free streaming services

There are plenty of ways to stream free content these days via mainstream broadcasters and other streaming services. Channel 4’s catch up service has some great box sets, you just need to be prepared to sit through the ads. You can pay extra for an ad-free service too.

BBC’s iPlayer has a vast catalogue too – and no ads – with lots of new content as well as the classics. You need a TV licence to view on iPlayer. ITVX has a basic (with ads) and premium (no ads) streaming service, with access to BritBox for ITV and BBC boxsets. Also check out U (formerly UKTV), Tubi and PlutoTV for free programmes to suit all.

Negotiate!

If your chosen streaming service is raising its prices or you are thinking about cancelling, it’s worth ringing them up and asking if they can offer you a better deal. Do some homework first, checking what alternatives you like the look of. Be prepared to haggle. It’s often easier over the phone.

In a MoneySavingExpert poll, 89% of their readers who had tried haggling with Sky were successful, and for Virgin Media it was 89%. When you go to cancel some streaming services and they ask you why, clicking ‘too expensive’ may lead to you being offered a discount.