Remember when streaming was supposed to be the affordable alternative to cable TV? Those days are long gone. With prices rising and content spread across ever more platforms, many households now spend more on streaming than they ever did on a traditional TV package.
The Average UK Streaming Bill
Let's add up what a typical streaming stack costs in 2026:
- Netflix Standard: 10.99 pounds/month
- Disney+: 7.99 pounds/month
- Apple TV+: 8.99 pounds/month
- Amazon Prime Video: 8.99 pounds/month
- Spotify: 10.99 pounds/month
- YouTube Premium: 12.99 pounds/month
Total: approximately 61.94 pounds/month, or 743.28 pounds per year
And that's without adding NOW, Paramount+, Apple Music, or any of the other services competing for your attention.
The "One More Service" Trap
Each individual subscription feels reasonable. Under 10 pounds for hours of entertainment? That's cheaper than a cinema ticket. The problem is that nobody stops at one. Every platform has that one exclusive show or feature that justifies signing up, and before you know it, you're subscribed to six or seven services.
How to Audit Your Streaming Costs
- List every service — Include music, video, podcasts, gaming, and audiobook subscriptions
- Note the monthly cost — Check your current plan (prices change frequently)
- Calculate the annual total — Multiply each by 12
- Check actual usage — When did you last open each service?
Strategies to Reduce Costs
Rotate Instead of Stacking
You don't need every service at once. Subscribe to one or two at a time, binge what you want to watch, then cancel and switch to another. Most services don't have contracts, so you can rejoin anytime.
Use Family or Duo Plans
If you live with others, family plans offer significant savings. Spotify Family, Apple Music Family, and Apple One Family all let multiple people share one subscription.
Check for Bundle Deals
Some services come bundled with things you already pay for:
- Apple TV+ often comes free with new Apple device purchases
- Amazon Prime Video is included with Prime membership
- Some mobile phone contracts include streaming services
Downgrade Your Plans
Do you really need the 4K HDR plan, or would standard definition on your phone screen be perfectly fine? Many services have cheaper tiers that are adequate for most viewing habits.
The Annual vs Monthly Decision
If you're sure you'll keep a service all year, annual plans typically save 15-20% compared to monthly billing. But only commit annually if you're certain — paying for 12 months of something you'll cancel in 3 months is worse value than monthly.
See All Your Subscription Costs in One View
Many streaming services are billed through the App Store. Use iSpent to see all your Apple-billed subscriptions and their true cost over time.