ANOTHER month, another price rise.
Millions of viewers are waking up to yet another streaming hike, and it’s no wonder people are livid.
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Apple has whacked up the price of Apple TV+ again, pushing the monthly cost to £9.99 in the UK, effective immediately.
That’s a 30% rise, piling pressure on households already juggling multiple subscriptions.
Put simply, what started as a budget way to watch prestige dramas and live sport is creeping into premium territory.
If you’re fuming, you’re not alone. Streaming was sold as the cheap alternative to pay TV, but between price rises, new tiers and crackdowns on sharing, the costs are stacking up fast.
The good news? There are still legit, low-profile ways to keep watching without paying full whack – and in some cases, for free.
Why viewers are fuming
Let’s be honest: streaming was supposed to be the cheap, easy alternative to pricey pay TV bundles.
Instead, we’ve seen stealthy changes – from cracking down on account sharing to splitting plans into confusing tiers – that push you towards spending more.
Add the cost-of-living squeeze, and it’s no surprise families are cutting back.
Subscriptions are under the microscope, and the first to go are the ones that quietly edge up in price while hoping you won’t notice.
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The hidden (and legal) ways to get it free
No tricks, no piracy, no shady “logins for sale”. These are legit routes that many viewers miss.
Free trials still exist – if you’re smart about it
Many services quietly offer trials to new users through specific partners, devices, or promo codes, even when the main site says “no”. Look for:
- Trial links bundled with new smart TVs, streaming sticks, consoles or soundbars
- Promo emails from retailers after a big purchase
- “Try again” offers when you cancel – many platforms tempt you back with a free month
Top tips: rotate trials across family members in the same household; different email and payment details are often required; always read the terms and set a calendar reminder to cancel before auto-renewal.
Mobile and broadband bundles you’re already paying for
It’s amazing how many people are entitled to a streaming perk and don’t claim it.
Some phone and broadband packages include months of premium streaming as part of the deal.
Check your plan benefits in your provider app or online account – it’s often buried under “rewards” or “entertainment”.
If you’re out of contract, use this as leverage when you negotiate a new deal.
New device? You might have free months waiting
Electronics brands partner with streamers all the time.
Buy a new TV, tablet, laptop or console, and you can unlock extended trials or premium tiers for free.
If you’ve recently upgraded, search “[your device] + streaming offer” – you might find a redemption code lurking in your inbox or device dashboard.
Student status can unlock serious savings
If someone in your household is in full-time education, you can sometimes score low-cost or free access through student programmes.
You’ll usually need to verify student status.
Always compare the student plan to your current one – it might cover exactly what you watch most.
Loyalty points and gift cards
Supermarket and high-street loyalty schemes often let you convert points into digital gift cards you can spend on streaming.
Cashback sites and bank cashback offers sometimes include streaming categories as well.
Stack the two, and you can cover a month or more without dipping into your current account.
Referral credits and bring-a-friend passes
Some services reward you for inviting a friend.
That could be an extra free month for you, a free month for them, or both.
If you’re planning to sign up anyway, consider referring within your household to earn the credit.
Switch to the ad-supported tier temporarily
If the price jump has landed at the worst time, switching to an ad-supported plan can reduce your outgoings to zero or close to it during a crunch month.
It’s not glamorous, but it keeps access to the shows you’re midway through.
Many viewers find the ad load lighter than expected, especially on newer platforms still building their ad base.
Pause and pounce – the binge window trick
Most streamers make it painless to pause or cancel. Use that to your advantage.
Pick one service per month, line up your must-watch list, and binge in a tight window.
When it’s done, cancel and move to the next platform.
You’ll pay for far fewer concurrent subscriptions and still keep up with all the big releases.
Annual plans and prepay deals
If you’re certain you’ll watch a platform for the next year, annual or prepay options can knock a big chunk off the monthly rate.
Combine this with a retailer gift card promotion, and you can cut the effective price even further. Just be aware you’ll be locked in.
Content bundles you can actually use
Think beyond films and TV. Some bundles include music, cloud storage or gaming alongside streaming.
If you’re already paying separately for those, a combined plan might work out cheaper overall.
Do the maths before you switch.
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How to avoid paying more by accident
Price rises are one thing; paying more because of small print is another. A few housekeeping tips will save you cash:
- Kill auto-renew if you’re on a trial: Set an alarm for 48 hours before the end date. Cancel, then let the remaining days run. If you change your mind, you can always resubscribe.
- Check your plan every quarter: Are you paying for 4K when you don’t have a 4K TV in the bedroom you watch on most? Is “four screens” overkill when you live alone? Downgrading can shave pounds off immediately.
- Mind the add-ons: Premium channels and bolt-ons quietly stack up. Audit your account page and ditch anything you don’t use weekly.
- Don’t gamble on password sharing: Services have tightened rules here, and getting cut off mid-episode is no fun. Stick to household profiles and official family options to avoid sudden blocks and surprise charges.
- Watch out for “free” that isn’t: If a deal requires you to sign up for something costly long-term, it’s not really free. Always calculate the total commitment.
The bigger picture: you’ve got options
Streaming isn’t going away, but the way we pay for it is changing.
Platforms want predictable, long-term subscribers. You want flexibility and value.
That tension is exactly why these hidden routes exist – trials to lure you back; bundles to sweeten upgrades; ad tiers to keep you in the ecosystem.
Use it to your advantage. Rotate strategically, claim every perk you’re entitled to, and be ruthless about cancelling when a service doesn’t have anything you want to watch this month.
It’s your money. Make each subscription earn its place.
And if you’re staring at a price rise right now? Don’t rage-click. Take two minutes to check for a device trial, a provider bundle, or a referral credit.
Switch to the ad tier for a month while you decide. Set a reminder. Then binge smart and move on.
Yes, the latest hike stings. But you don’t have to swallow it.
With a bit of planning, you can keep your favourite shows on screen – and, in many cases, do it for free for weeks or months at a time.
The streaming giants are very good at nudging you into spending more without noticing.
Get just as good at spotting the outs. That’s how you beat the price rises at their own game.
