Streaming Showdown: Get More for your Cash​

Let’s get the big thing out of the way first. When you’re comparing subscription prices, nothing beats free. Obviously, sticking with zero-fee options will limit the kind of film and TV choices you have – or at least pump them full of adverts. Even so, there’s a lot of entertainment out there that doesn’t come with a monthly punch in the wallet.

BBC iPlayer is great as a catch-up service for films and TV. You can get everything from just-aired shows to classic ‘box sets’, and it won’t cost you a penny as long as you’re already forking out for a TV licence. If you don’t mind a few adverts cluttering up your viewing, you can look into ITVX, Channel 4 or UK TV Play for more free options. Keep in mind that some free streamers have paid tiers with more content as well, so make sure you know what you’re actually getting.

If you’re happy to pitch some cash into your streaming platform, then it’s worth considering which of them offer a free trial before you make a final decision. Amazon Prime, for instance, offers a free 30-day try-out that you can cancel at any time without losing money. The free period for Apple TV+, on the other hand, only covers 7 days of access to its catalogue of original films and shows. Bottom line: always check if you can try before you buy – and don’t forget to cancel any services you don’t want before they roll over into a paid subscription. Typical fees for the big-name streaming platforms can range from £5.99 a month for Amazon Prime to a whopping £29 a month for Sky Stream. It’s all about balancing the kind of viewer you are with the prices on offer. Speaking of which...

With the costs covered, let’s look at what you actually get for your money. Platforms with subscription fees rely on pulling you in with big-budget blockbusters and high-profile original content. Once you’ve picked off a few obvious classics and new releases, though, what else are they offering to keep you subscribed? With Netflix, for instance, you can expect a big push toward massive exclusives like Stranger Things and The Sandman. Amazon Prime’s originals are also impressive, from bonkers superhero series like Invincible and The Boys through to fantasy epic The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. For sheer breadth of content, though, you’ve got to go a long way to beat Disney+. Whether you’re a Marvel fan, a Simpsons lover or just addicted to high-quality family entertainment, it’s definitely worth checking out what’s showing at the House of Mouse.

Any time you’re considering signing up to a subscription service, it pays to peer a little closer at the details of the agreement. If you want to avoid a lot of family arguments, one thing to look for is the number of simultaneous streams your chosen platform allows. Netflix, for instance, has different rules about this for its different tiers. If you’re on their lowest add-supported tier, you’re limited to 2 devices streaming at once. Their top tier, on the other hand, bumps that up to 3. Disney+ sets a flat limit of 4 devices and no other tiers to pick from. Amazon Prime went with a slightly more complicated set-up, allowing up to 3 simultaneous streams as long as only 2 of them are watching the same content.

You’ll also want to keep an eye on how your platform handles password sharing. Netflix in particular has been cracking down on this. In fact, they’ve actually been contacting customers directly to explain how to add extra people to their accounts for a bumped-up fee. Meanwhile, Amazon Prime’s streaming service is linked to your Amazon account, so you’d probably be smart not to start sharing your login details around. However, their Amazon Household system does allow you to share your account with another adult and up to 4 children.

Finally, if you’re proud of your top-end TV, you’ll obviously want to pump it full of high-resolution content and spatial audio. If you’re only going to be watching on your phone, though, you might not need all the bells and whistles. 4K’s the basic standard for the major paid streaming services, and even the humble iPlayer can still manage Ultra High Definition video occasionally. Just keep in mind that your experience will only be as good as your device and internet speeds allow, and make sure you’re not paying for quality you’ll never see.

Whatever kind of films and TV you’re into, there’s a streaming service out there for you – and not all of them take blockbuster budgets to enjoy. Make no mistake, it’s your eyeballs and your wallet the streamers are fighting over. It makes sense to put real thought into where your cash is trickling out while all that content’s streaming in. Like the gym card you haven’t used in years or the gaming subscription you forgot you signed up for, slimming down your memberships is a great way to take control of your cash.