Cheapest streaming sites revealed as Netflix raises prices by up to $24 a year

NETFLIX has hiked its monthly prices – but streaming is still a much cheaper alternative when compared with cable.

In fact, you can save up to $178 a month by cutting cable in favor of a streaming provider.

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The average cable bill is $72.60 per month, according to a survey by Versus Reviews, while Decision Data has found it to be just over $217.

Meanwhile, consumers have been looking to cut costs after enduring financial troubles during the coronavirus pandemic. 

Odds are that you’ve probably looked at your cable bill and have tried to either lower it or cancel it, as inflation continues to surge across the country.

Along with saving money from cutting the cord, there are cheap and simple ways to watch your streaming applications.

For some, getting access to a variety of TV shows and movies is satisfying enough at a much lower cost. 

Below are some popular streaming services, with their benefits and packages and how easy they are to set up. 

Netflix

For two decades now, Netflix has dominated the streaming space. As of June, Netflix counted more than 209million subscribers globally. 

But some won’t be happy to learn that their monthly bill will go up by $24 per year.

Netflix offers three packages: basic, standard, and premium.

With the price hikes already into effect, the plans will now cost $9.99, $15.49, and $19.99 per month, up from $8.99, $13.99 and $17.99 respectively.

Regardless of what package you choose, you have the flexibility to watch what Netflix describes as “unlimited movies and TV shows.”

Standard and premium members have access to HD. Ultra HD is available to premium customers. 

Also, it appears the DVD plans went up as well to $9.99 and $14.99 per month respectively.

Some Netflix original shows include Bloodline, Daredevil, and Orange is the New Black.

Netflix can be accessed through a smart TV, a gaming console, as well as through a smartphone, computer, or tablet. 

Hulu

Hulu has also hiked subscription plans recently – but is still much cheaper versus cable.

All plans include access to Hulu’s movie and TV show library, with the most basic package now costing $6.99 a month.

For an additional $6 per month, you get ad-free access to Hulu’s movies and TV shows.

Students, meanwhile, get Hulu’s most basic plan for just $1.99 a month. 

Unlike Netflix, Hulu has a couple of packages that include live TV benefits. 

But once you approach the packages with live TV—that’s when things start to get pricey.

With the latest price increase, Hulu Live TV now costs either $69.99 or $75.99 per month, depending on if you want to tolerate ads or not. 

The good news is Hulu Live TV users now get Disney Plus and ESPN Plus added to its package.

As stand alone subscriptions, these plans cost $6.99 and $7.99 per month respectively.

Some popular TV shows on Hulu are Atlanta, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, and LetterKenny.

Amazon Prime

Others might find themselves getting the best deal with Amazon Prime.

By signing up, members get access to Prime Video and other benefits such as free two-day shipping through Amazon. 

Amazon Prime costs $12.99 per month and $6.49 a month for students.  

Meanwhile, if you don’t care for the additional benefits with Amazon Prime, you could just opt for a Prime Video membership.

Prime video comes with an $8.99 monthly charge.

On Prime Video you can watch The Grand Tour, Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan, and Bosch.

While cable companies provide live TV, the cost for some families and individuals has become too expensive. 

Like Netflix and Hulu, Amazon prime can be streamed to your smart TV, and Amazon’s main platform and mobile Prime Video app. 

Monthly cost of live TV packages

Below we explain how much cable provides charge in comparison to live TV packages.

Verizon Fios offers live TV packages from $65 to $105 per month, Spectrum’s fee range from $34.99 to $94.99, and DirecTV could cost from $64.99 to $134.99.

But these cable providers offer streaming plans as well.

If you’re a Verizon customer, you get the first month of YouTube TV for free.

Every month after that, the service costs $49.99 per month, according to Verizon.

In addition, Verizon customers can get the first two to three months of Sling TV for free.

After the free trial, Sling Blue or Sling Orange, as well as Sling International will cost $35 per month. Sling Latino will cost $15 per month.

Through Spectrum’s streaming service, customers can purchase for just $25 per month. However, the selection of channels is limited.

Under Spectrum’s TV silver package for $74.99 per month, customers get HBO Max included.

Those who sign up for DirecTV’s choice, ultimate, or premier package, get a one-year free trial of HBO Max.

It will cost $14.99 each month after the trial ends.