Streaming subscriptions once seemed like an easy way to access hundreds of films and series for the price of a cinema ticket. The convenience of watching on a tablet, phone or television remains, but the experience has become less attractive as prices rise, advertising becomes more common and catalogues are divided among several providers.
After spending more than 50 euros a month on different services, the writer decided to stop maintaining multiple subscriptions. The main issue was not only the cost, but also the fatigue of having too much content available. Moving between apps often meant discovering that a licence had changed hands, a new season required an additional payment or a desired film had disappeared.
Instead of making viewing easier, the abundance of recommendations often led to long periods of scrolling before settling for something almost at random. At the same time, basic plans have gradually become more expensive, while ad-free options are increasingly positioned as premium choices. Combining four or five services for series, films, anime and YouTube can result in an annual bill of more than 500 or 600 euros, despite having no more free time than before.
The new approach is based on subscribing only when necessary. The writer now keeps a list of several productions from a particular platform, subscribes for a single month once there is enough to watch and cancels automatic renewal immediately. When a service releases episodes weekly, waiting until the full season is available can make this approach more practical, although avoiding the pressure to keep up with new releases is not always easy.
Free channels and FAST services have also become part of the routine. The writer has rediscovered content offered by Spanish broadcasters and thematic channels available through a Hisense Smart TV, which can work well for dinner or classic films.
Physical media is another alternative. Some films purchased in the past are being watched through a console, while Blu-ray offers are also being considered. Borrowing from libraries is presented as another way to avoid relying on catalogues that can change frequently.
After a couple of months, the change has produced a positive result. There was an initial sense of missing out on new releases, many of which would not necessarily have been watched anyway. In return, more time has been available for gaming, and having fewer options on a Saturday night has made it easier to choose something instead of endlessly browsing applications. For the writer, reducing streaming has ultimately restored some of the freedom that unlimited choice once promised.
Sources: Xataka Móvil.