Get 50% off MasterClass subscriptions and save on Starz, Audible, Crunchyroll and others

Whether you’re a true cord-cutter or just want to watch the next season of Stranger Things as soon as it comes out, everyone is on the lookout for streaming deals these days. Many have chosen VOD and live TV streaming services over traditional cable in recent years, but the savings that choice got you just a few years ago have somewhat evaporated now. Companies like Netflix, Disney, Max, and others have consistently raised their prices to the point where it’s questionable whether streaming is still worth it.

At Engadget we still think so, for many reasons, but you can (and should) be smart with your money at the same time. Streaming deals are an option, although they don’t come with the same regularity as AirPods discounts. If you’re looking to save money while still streaming all the content you want, Engadget can help by showing you the best streaming deals you can get right now, how to save with bundles, and everything you need to know before paying for another streaming service.

Best streaming deals

Real streaming deals can be hard to find. Most often, they will appear during the Black Friday shopping period. Sometimes we see them sparingly throughout the year and they usually take the form of a reduced monthly or annual rate for a limited period of time. Additionally, true streaming deals are usually for ad-supported versions of a service, but every once in a while you’ll find a unicorn deal on a tier offering ad-free viewing.

If you can wait for a deal before subscribing to a streaming service, we recommend doing so. You’ll save money upfront and in the long run, and you’ll also have the option to cancel your subscription before the price goes back up to normal.

ESPN Unlimited plan – $30/month with free Disney+ and Hulu for one year: Sports fans can sign up for the new ESPB Unlimited plan for the standard rate of $30 per month, but for a limited time you can get Disney+ and Hulu (with ads) included in that price for free. The trio plan typically costs you $36 per month, so in total you save $6 per month for a year, for a total of $72 in savings.

Philo Core – $25 for your first month ($8 off): Our pick for the best cheap live TV streaming service, Philo offers more than 70 channels in its Core tier, as well as access to HBO Max (with commercials), AMC+, and Discovery+. After your first month, the subscription will automatically renew at the standard rate of $33 per month.

Audible – three months for $3: For literally $1 a month, you can access Audible’s massive library of published audiobooks, podcasts, and Audible Originals (which can range from previously unreleased books to live performances). It’s only three months, after which you’ll have to cancel or renew at the usual price, but an audiobibliophile can cram a lot of listens into 90 days.

Crunchyroll – $67 for one year ($13 off): Anime fans can now get one year of access to Crunchyroll for less. The Fan tier is down to $67 for the year, while the Mega Fan tier is on sale for $100 for one year. Both tiers give you ad-free access to the streaming service, but you’ll get offline access and up to four simultaneous streams with the Mega Fan option. Note that this offer does not include access to Crunchyroll Manga.

Starz (one year) for $12 ($58 off): Pay upfront for a year and you can get over $40 off an annual Stars subscription. There’s also a monthly option, which costs $3 per month for the first three months if you don’t want to commit for the full year. Either option gives you access to the entire Starz TV and movies library with offline, ad-free viewing.

Spotify Premium Individual – four months free ($48 off): This is our favorite music streaming service for podcasts and social features. The Premium Individual plan lets you listen ad-free and skip songs at will. You can also organize your listening queue and download content for offline listening. Please note, your subscription will automatically renew at the end of the trial period. So if you don’t want to pay the $12 monthly fee, set a reminder to cancel and go back to the free version.

Amazon Music Unlimited – three months free ($36 off): Amazon’s music streaming service is now free for three months, reserved for new subscribers. With it, you get access to 100 million ad-free songs, lots of podcasts, and select audiobooks from Audible.

Fubo Pro for $55/month for the first month ($30 off): Fubo offers introductory discounts on most of its plans, and the Pro plan is the cheapest plan currently listed. It offers access to 224 channels, unlimited cloud DVR, and up to 10 simultaneous streams. It even includes regional sports content from the NHL, MLB, and NBA.

DirecTV from $50/month for one month (up to $40 off): All DirecTV Signature Packages are currently up to $45 off for your first month when you sign up. If you opt for the basic “Entertainment” package, you’ll spend $50 for the first month and get access to more than 90 channels, including many local stations as well as ESPN, ESPN 2 and Fox Sports 1. You can also watch on the go with the DirecTV mobile app.

Discounts on streaming packages

There’s more consolidation than ever before in the streaming space, which means there are more streaming package options. These bundles give you access to more content with a single subscription price, but these prices are typically higher than paying for a single service alone (obviously). It can be tempting to just get the bundle, but if only one of those services in the bundle speaks to you, you’ll spend less overall by just paying for the single service.

Speaking of a deep love for a single streaming service: If all your favorite shows are on Peacock or the latest releases on HBO Max constantly bring you joy, consider paying a year in advance. Subscribing to an annual plan generally saves you money in the long run compared to paying monthly. Unfortunately, not all streaming services (looking at you, Netflix) offer an annual subscription option.

Disney+

If you feel like Charlie Kelly is trying to figure out who Pepe Silvia is when you look at Disney’s streaming price chart, you’re not alone. The confusion comes from the fact that Disney owns or participates in many streaming services, including Hulu and ESPN. Launch a partnership with HBO Max and you’ll have a ton of options to consider and, likely, a boost to match. Here’s a quick look at the prices of popular Disney+ packages.

Peacock TV

Peacock doesn’t have streaming plans available year-round, but you can save if you pay a year in advance.

Paramount+

Paramount+ used to charge its tier with Showtime as a sort of bundle, but it has since renamed its plans and focused the inclusion of Showtime in its premium tier as just an added bonus for paying for the more expensive package.

• Paramount+ Essential (with ads) — $8/month or $60/year

• Paramount Premium (ad-free) – $13/month or $120/year

Student discounts on streaming services

It pays to be a student – ​​at least sometimes. A number of streaming services offer student discounts that you can take advantage of as long as you’re actively studying. Most of the time this means being able to check your student status and register with your .edu email address.

HBO Max student discount – subscribe for $5/month (50% off): HBO Max is offering its ad-supported tier to students at half the price of the usual rate. All you need to do is verify that you are a student via Unidays and note that this offer is only valid for a maximum of 12 months of service.

Hulu Student Discount – subscribe for $2/month (75% off): Those with a valid student ID can take advantage of Hulu’s ad-supported tier at 75% off the regular rate. They will maintain the same sale price for as long as they are students.

Spotify Student Discount – Premium + Hulu with Ads for $6/month (72% off): Spotify’s student plan continues to be one of the best on the market, giving you access to the music streamer’s Premium tier and Hulu’s ad-supported plan for just $6 per month. Purchased separately, you would pay $22 per month for both services. Plus, the first month is free when you sign up.

NBA League Pass student discount – one year for $120 (40% off): Students can get a year of League Pass for just $10 per month, which includes access to NBA TV and the ability to watch classic and archived games on demand. On the NBA League Pass website, look for the student discount banner at the top and follow the instructions to verify your student status.

Read more streaming coverage

Follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest news technological offers And purchasing advice.