As streaming has become more common, the number of streaming services to choose from has increased dramatically. This trend, coupled with constant price increases, has resulted in homes paying more to stream each month than in the past. This is especially true for those that are subscribed to multiple streaming services at the same time.
Paying more in advance for a streaming service can help to save on the cost. In addition to lowering the price, paying on an annual basis can also make it easier to manage subscriptions, as subscribers can somewhat forget about the payment until next year.
In spite of the benefits, some consumers may find that a monthly subscription remains the best option for them.
Streaming Services With Annual Plans
Not every streaming service offers an annual plan, so this won’t be an option for every home and every service. For those that do offer an annual plan, subscribers typically get 12 months for the price of 10.
Acorn TV
Annual saving = $15.98
$79.99
ALLBLK
Annual saving = $11.98
$59.99
AMC+
Annual saving = $24
$83.88
BritBox
Annual saving = $17.98
$89.99
BroadwayHD
Annual saving = $39.98
$199.99
Cineverse
Annual saving = $9.98
$49.99
Criterion Channel
Annual saving = $31.89
$99.99
Curiosity Stream
Annual saving = $19.89 / $49.89
$39.99–$69.99
Disney+ Premium
Annual saving = $27.98
$139.99
Dove Channel
Annual saving = $9.98
$49.99
ESPN+
Annual saving = $21.98
$109.99
Fandor
Annual saving = $9.98
$49.99
Frndly TV
Annual saving = $12 to $24
$83.88–$119.88
Gaia
Annual saving = $48.88
$119
Great American Pure Flix
Annual saving = $29.89
$89.99
Hallmark Movies Now
Annual saving = $11.98
$59.99
HIDIVE
Annual saving = $12
$59.88
History Vault
Annual saving = $9.98
$49.99
Hulu (With Ads)
Annual saving = $15.98
$79.99
KOCOWA
Annual saving = $15.98
$79.99
Lifetime Movie Club
Annual saving = $9.98
$49.99
Max
Annual saving = $19.98 to $41.98
$99.99-$209.99
MGM+
Annual saving = $24.89
$58.99
Paramount+
Annual saving = $35.89
$59.99-119.99
Peacock
Annual saving = $15.98 / $27.98
$79.99–$139.99
Qello Concerts
Annual saving = $43.89
$99.99
Screambox
Annual saving = $23.89
$59.99
Shudder
Annual saving = $12
$71.88
Sundance Now
Annual saving = $23.89
$59.99
Thunderflix
Annual saving = $13.32
$66.60
UP Faith & Family
Annual saving = $17.89
$53.99
ViX Premium
Annual saving = $24.89 / $33.89
$34.99–$49.99
Willow TV
Annual saving = $39.89
$79.99
When Annual Plans Are The Right Choice
If you are sure a streaming service is right for you then opting for an annual plan is likely to be the right option as it can save you money. If paying for multiple subscriptions at the same time, switching as many as possible from monthly to annual could result in significant savings over the course of the year.
Another instance when annual plans can be a better option is right before a price increase is due to land. Generally speaking, streaming services tend to announce price increases a few weeks in advance.
Once a price increase has been announced, signing up at the current annual plan rate will not only help you lock in a subscription for the next twelve months at the current price, but it will also result in even greater savings than normal over the course of the next year.
When Annual Plans Aren’t The Right Choice
While annual plans can be beneficial, there can be times when they are not the best option, and a prime example is when you are not sold on a service.
Even though the average monthly cost works out to be lower, the subscriber is committing for a much longer period of time with an annual plan. If you’re unsure that a particularly service offers enough content to keep you interested all year, it may be better (and cheaper) to subscribe on a monthly basis.
As monthly plans make it easy to cancel at any time, the subscriber only ends up paying for the time they have used so far. In contrast, annual subscribers have paid for a full year in advance and their subscription will remain active for the remainder of the year. As streaming services don’t typically offer refunds for unused time, the commitment and upfront payment are definitely things to keep in mind.
Deals are another reason to consider sticking with monthly plans. At least for now. Streaming services are always looking for new subscribers and many routinely offer deals and discounts to bring new customers in. Holding out for one of these deals may end up resulting in a cheaper price or access to additional premium features.
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