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ALMOST 70 PER CENT OF UK HOUSEHOLDS PAY FOR AT LEAST ONE STREAMING SERVICE. 12:34, 05 Jun 2025 Free TV licence update explained: Who's eligible as new reforms announced A new study

shows that nearly 70 per cent of UK households now pay for at least one streaming service, with Netflix leading the way with 17.4 million homes actively subscribed. However, only 4.8m

households (28%) use its cheaper, ad-supported tier which costs £5.99 per month. As streaming becomes the go-to for everything from dramas and films to live sports, subscription costs can

quickly stack up, especially if you’re juggling multiple platforms. In most cases, it works out cheaper to opt for an annual subscription, rather than paying monthly, but it can put an

initial big dent in your pocket. The pay-off is, you don’t have to fork out any money for a year. However, people may not be aware that big entertainment providers such as Sky, Virgin Media

and BT offer subscriptions which include most of the top streaming services. READ MORE: New TV licence could be introduced for people only watching streaming servicesREAD MORE: Sky unveils

exciting TV upgrade coming very soon - but you’ll need this plan Sky Glass Air TV combines Sky’s channels, live and catch-up TV, along with popular streaming apps like Netflix, Apple TV,

Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, Paramount and Discovery+. It’s important to note most of the big entertainment providers will be looking for a financial commitment of between 12 and 24 months, so

check the small print before signing up. If that’s not an option for you, Geoff Pestell, CEO of broadband comparison site Fibre Compare, has shared top tips on how to streamline your monthly

subscriptions. Article continues below SWITCH TO A MORE SUITABLE BROADBAND PACKAGE Many households may not realise their broadband package could be a key area for potential savings. If you

primarily use your internet for streaming and casual browsing, a high-speed premium package may not be necessary. Streaming services like Netflix or Prime Video typically require just 5 to

25 Mbps for high-definition content. If you're not working from home, gaming online, or supporting multiple users at the same time, a plan offering 50 to 100 Mbps is often more than

enough. Downgrading to a more appropriate speed can help to lower your monthly costs while still providing a seamless streaming experience. REGULARLY REVIEW YOUR SUBSCRIPTIONS Regularly

assessing your streaming subscriptions is a great way to discover services you may have initially intended to use temporarily. Try to get into the habit of reviewing your subscriptions every

couple of months. Ask yourself which services you’ve genuinely used recently, and cancel the ones you’re not actively watching. It's a simple but effective way to reduce unnecessary

costs without sacrificing a platform you enjoy and use. If you’ve moved over to a platform like Sky Stream or BT TV, where apps like Netflix and NOW are already integrated into your TV

package, it’s also worth checking that you’re not paying for duplicate subscriptions separately. ROTATE STREAMING SERVICES It’s tempting to subscribe to multiple streaming services at once,

especially with so many exciting shows and films available across platforms. However, having several active subscriptions at the same time often leads to paying for content you don’t have

time to watch. A smarter approach is to rotate your subscriptions. Focus on one or two platforms at a time, watch the shows and films that interest you, then cancel and move on to another

service the following month. Since most platforms offer flexible, month-to-month plans, you won’t be locked into long contracts. This way, you stay entertained while significantly reducing

your monthly spend. EXPLORE BUNDLE BROADBAND DEALS One of the most effective ways to save on streaming is by bundling services with your broadband package. Several broadband providers offer

deals that include popular streaming platforms as part of the package or at a discounted rate. For instance, BT’s Entertainment packages can include Netflix, NOW Entertainment, and

Discovery+ all in one combined deal. Similarly, Sky Stream includes Netflix Standard with ads as part of many of its TV and broadband bundles, often making it cheaper than paying for each

subscription separately. These bundles not only save you money but also simplify your billing by combining services into a single payment. It's worth reviewing your current plan or

speaking with a customer service team to see what streaming deals you may already qualify for. MAKE THE MOST OF FREE TRIALS AND PROMOTIONS A lot of streaming platforms offer free trials or

discounted introductory offers, especially for new users. These promotions are a great way to explore what a service has to offer before committing to the full monthly cost. Some providers

such as EE offer a three-month free trial of Apple TV+ as part of a package deal for new and existing customers. Paramount+ and ITVX Premium also offer free trials, giving you access to a

wide range of content at no cost for a limited time. If you take advantage of these offers strategically, such as when a particular show or film is released, you can enjoy premium content

without any immediate financial commitment. Just make sure to set a reminder to cancel the subscription before the trial ends if you decide not to continue, to avoid being automatically

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