Sometimes having only one streaming service is not enough. A streaming service combo gives you more options and can still be budget-friendly.
Three kinds of streaming services are:
- On-Demand
- Live TV
- Channel-Specific
Different streaming services can add up, so if you are on a tight budget it is important to pick the right ones. The right streaming service will let you watch your favorite programs, while giving you options for other titles you may like.
This article provides a list of the best streaming combos for frugal people who want the most bang for your buck (prices listed below are an estimate).
Netflix and Hulu + Live TV
https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/madrid-spain-august-13-2018-samsung-1154935312
These two streaming services are the most popular because they provide so many options and have great original content you can’t watch anywhere else.
Each has a wide variety of TV shows, movies, and original titles. Netflix starts at just $9 a month.
Hulu + Live TV gives you access to over 65 different channels and is one of the most affordable streaming services at $65 a month. You can also add HBO Max and Showtime to your Hulu plan for an additional cost. Hulu also provides a discount when you bundle with Disney Plus and ESPN+.
Total Cost: $74 a month
YouTube TV and Disney Plus
YouTube TV is a great option for a live TV streaming service at $65 a month. With YouTube TV, you get more than 80 channels, including more sports channels than other streaming services. You can combine this with an on-demand streaming service such as Netflix, Hulu, or Disney Plus.
Disney Plus is a great option for fans of Disney, Pixar, Marvel, and Star Wars. Disney Plus starts at $8 a month, or you can combine it with ESPN+ and Hulu for $14 a month.
Disney Plus includes classic Disney movies from the vault as well as blockbuster Marvel and Star Wars movies and original content. You can also watch “The Simpsons” and “The Muppets” on Disney Plus. $8 a month for a no-commercial, on-demand streaming service makes Disney Plus an excellent addition to your TV streaming combo.
Total Cost: $73 a month
HBO Max and Peacock
HBO Max is a premium service that offers a fantastic library of tv shows, iconic films, and the latest movie releases. Their collection includes content from Warner Bros., Turner Classic Movies, Adult Swim, and more.
HBO Max gives you access to some of the best and most critically acclaimed shows and movies like “Friends,” “Game of Thrones,” and DC movies such as “Wonder Woman” and “Suicide Squad.”
You can combine this with Peacock’s on-demand streaming service to get a wide variety of TV and movie options. Peacock offers free streaming options as well as premium options. Peacock lets you watch hit TV shows and movies anytime for free.
With Peacock, you can watch hit TV shows such as “The Office,” “Cheers,” and “30 Rock.” You can pay $5 a month to unlock more TV shows and movies for even more content.
Total Cost: $14 a month ($19 if you want to add additional content on Peacock).
Amazon Prime Video and Sling TV
Sling TV provides live TV streaming services and has two different packages – Sling Blue and Sling Orange. Sling Blue includes MSNBC, Fox News, Fox Sports, NBC Sports, and the NFL Network. Sling Orange offers Disney Channel and ESPN channels. You can also get the bundle to get the full set of channels.
Amazon Prime Video is another on-demand option for Prime members that offers original titles as well as popular TV shows and movies.
Amazon Prime Video is included with Amazon Prime (you can subscribe to the service for $9 a month if you don’t have Prime) and offers movie rentals and purchase options. You can also add streaming channels to your plan.
Total Cost: $35 a month for Sling + $9-14 a month for Amazon Prime (prices can vary for Prime depending on if you are a student).
Channel-specific streaming services
If you are fond of TV shows and movies that play on the same channel, combining your on-demand or live TV streaming service with a channel-specific streaming service is a great idea. Showtime, Starz, and ESPN+ are all channel-specific streaming services you can add to your existing live TV plan.
Choosing which streaming services to pay for every month can be a challenge. You should start by researching what kinds of TV shows, movies, and original content are included with different services. This will help you decide which one to go with.
Thinking about the three kinds of streaming services referenced above, on-demand and channel-specific streaming are much cheaper options and give you TV shows and movies anytime. Live TV streaming is more expensive but allows you to watch live TV (obviously) and gives you access to different channels – read more at Frugal Living NW.
The best streaming combo depends on your TV and movie preferences and your budget. It is a good idea to combine different services to give you a wider variety. You don’t need live TV to watch TV and movies anymore. Netflix, Hulu, and Disney Plus provide many options for on-demand TV and movies that are perfect if you are on a tight budget.
Image by Manuel Esteban via Shutterstock.com.
Leave a Reply