Ah, streaming—the ultimate savior of broke college students. Or at least, it used to be. Remember when splitting a $15 Netflix account with your roommates was all students needed? Now, it feels like every week there’s a new streaming platform demanding your money.
If you’ve ever wondered why you’re broke even though you’ve cut the cable cord, welcome to the chaos of the streaming wars. Spoiler alert: we’re all paying too much.
Too Many Platforms, Not Enough Money
Once upon a time, Netflix ruled the world. It had everything—your favorite sitcoms (The Office, Friends), blockbuster movies, and endless original shows to binge. But then every major company decided they wanted a slice of the streaming pie. Disney+ launched and took every Disney movie with them. Peacock swiped The Office. Max held Friends hostage. Suddenly, your $15 Netflix plan isn’t cutting it anymore.
Now you’re juggling Hulu, Disney+, Netflix, Max, and maybe even Apple TV (thanks to that free trial you forgot to cancel). At $10 to $20 a month for each service, the costs add up fast, especially when your bank account is already hurting from textbooks and late-night DoorDash orders.
Paying for Ads? Really?
Remember when streaming meant no commercials? Yeah, those days are over. Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, and more now have ad-supported tiers. Sure, they’re cheaper, but are they worth it if you’re paying to watch 90 seconds of ads for a show you’ll only half-watch while scrolling on TikTok?Â
It’s giving “cable but worse,” and honestly, we should be insulted.
How to Save Your Budget… And Your Sanity
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by all the platforms—and their price tags—you’re not alone. Here’s how to survive the streaming wars without breaking the bank:
- Look for Student Discounts: Some platforms, like Hulu and Paramount+, offer student rates or bundle deals with Spotify. Always check for discounts before subscribing.
- Rotate Subscriptions: Pick one or two platforms to subscribe to each month. Once you’ve binged your shows, cancel and move on to the next. Who cares if you have Netflix while you’re waiting for the next season of Stranger Things?
- Share Accounts: Stream smarter, not harder. Split costs with friends, family, or even that one random cousin who only uses your Disney+ for Marvel movies.
- Bundle Up: Disney+ offers a bundle with Hulu and ESPN+, which is perfect if you actually use all three. Just make sure it’s worth it before you commit.
- Be Ruthless: If you’re not watching it, cancel it. I promise Netflix will survive without your $15.
Are we doomed?
At this point, the streaming wars feel less like a fun way to watch TV and more like a digital Hunger Games. The platforms keep splitting up the shows we love, raising prices, and throwing ads in our faces. So, what’s next? Piracy? (Just kidding… unless?)
In the end, maybe we don’t need every subscription. Maybe it’s okay to skip The Mandalorian this year or wait until your parents renew their Max account to rewatch Friends for the 15th time.
So, are you winning the streaming wars, or are you ready to wave the white flag and log off for good? Try to win the battle… right after you finish that free trial.