Is bundling your own streaming services really worth it? Our expert chimes in

Remember the days that cable Satellite companies sold premium packages with more exclusive channels? It may be cheaper to purchase with your service provider than to purchase the channel separately when you can afford it.

This may seem like a distant memory, but when you think about it, we’re living in a blast from the past with live streaming packages. CNET Third Annual Subscription Survey I found that streaming is the most popular subscription service (61%), and we pay an average of $111 per month for subscriptions – and some pay even more. Major entertainment brands are teaming up to offer several streaming services at a lower cost than purchasing each one individually.

For example, I pay $36 a month for my Disney package, which includes… Holo, Disney Plus and ESPN Unlimited (They all have ads), but it’s a good deal for me because I’m a sports fan. Disney not only offers packages for its streaming platforms, but also includes… Hulu Plus Live TV – but it also partnered with Warner Bros. Discovery To put up packages with HBO Max.

Other entertainment and technology brands follow a similar business model that combines multiple services, whether it’s streaming TV or not. Basic Apple One subscription He gives you Apple music, Apple TV, Apple Arcade And 50GB of iCloud Plus storage for $20 per month, and you can upgrade if you want more products in your plan. the peacock The Apple TV package has two pricing tiers if you subscribe directly through either service (with more options available if you have Xfinity). You can check out more packages if you have a live TV service plan from service providers like Fubo or DirectTVboth of which give you access to specific platforms at no additional cost.

But is it really in our best interest to bundle services when possible? Courtney Jackson, CNET’s streaming expert to find out if this is another gimmick for our hard-earned cash or if it’s a real money saver.

When does grouping make sense?

Whether you pack your Streaming services Depends on your personal preferences. If you look at it from a company’s perspective, bundling works well because it allows the brand to reach as many potential subscribers as possible, helping to expand its customer base and even tap into the pool of customers from companies it has partnered with. For you, this can be a money saver, and as an added benefit, your billing is processed in one place for multiple subscriptions, Jackson says.

“A bundle can be a great way to save money if you’re already using all the services included in the bundle,” Jackson said. “Otherwise you’re wasting your money on a bunch of channels or platforms that you don’t even watch.”

CNET found that this is the case for some subscribers. On average, US adults waste an average of $21 per month on unused subscriptions, which comes out to $252 per year.

Saving money sounds good, but first, Jackson recommends making sure you’ll use each service enough to justify the amount you spend monthly or annually on the package. If you’re signing up for a package to watch only one season of a show and will only use it periodically, you might consider signing up for a trial to watch the entire season before the trial ends. Or you can sign up for one month, then cancel before the next billing cycle to pay less over time to avoid wasting money in the months you don’t use it. In these scenarios, purchasing in a bundle may not be the best option for you.

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Shop for the best deal on subscription packages

Just as you can compare deals to get the latest iPhone, television or MacBookShop for the right streaming package. Jackson recommends exploring beyond what’s being marketed, such as bulk advertising on social media or your email. Instead, look at the streaming perks that come with other subscriptions — Instacart Plus, for example. Walmart Plus Or your mobile phone provider. Verizon offers discounted streaming packages to its customers that allow you to choose between Disney Plus and ESPN Plus And Hulu for $10 per month or Netflix And HBO Max for $13 a month. and T-Mobile It gives you free streaming subscriptions, depending on the plan you have.

Bundling streaming services isn’t always easy

It’s usually easy to cancel subscription services you don’t want, but depending on which company your package belongs to, you may need to follow some additional steps to set up or cancel your subscription. Or, depending on your needs and preferences, you may decide that a standalone subscription is best. Jackson shared some words of wisdom to know before signing up for the streaming package.

• Read the fine print. Check to see if the package requires anything additional, such as a wireless plan or internet plan.
• Double-check if you need to cancel your standalone subscriptions before bundling to make them easier to manage and avoid overpaying.
• Make sure you know what is offered in your streaming service package. Some packages may still contain ads or may not offer 4K resolution.
• Ask yourself if you’ll use each app enough to justify what you’ll spend on the package or if you’ll keep it longer than you planned because you forgot to cancel it.