Are you paying too much for too little?

This article was written by a student author from the chapter “Her Campus at UCLA.”

Ah, streaming – the ultimate savior for broke college students. At least it used to be. Remember when splitting a $15 Netflix account with your roommates was all the students needed? Now it feels like every week there’s a new streaming platform demanding your money.

If you’ve ever wondered why you’re broke even after cutting the cord, welcome to the chaos of the streaming wars. Spoiler alert: We all pay too much.

Too many platforms, not enough money

Once upon a time, Netflix ruled the world. It had it all – your favorite sitcoms (The office, Friends), blockbuster movies and endless original shows to binge. But then every major company decided they wanted a piece of the streaming pie. Disney+ launched and brought every Disney film with it. Peacock wiped The office. Max stopped Friends Hostage. Suddenly your $15 Netflix plan isn’t enough anymore.

Now you’re juggling Hulu, Disney+, Netflix, Max, and maybe even Apple TV (thanks to that free trial you forgot to cancel). At $10 to $20 per month for each service, the costs add up quickly, especially when your bank account is already drained by textbooks and late-night DoorDash orders.

Pay for advertising? Really?

Remember when streaming meant no advertising? Yes, those days are over. Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, and more now have ad-supported tiers. Sure, they’re cheaper, but are they worth it when you’re paying to watch 90 seconds of ads for a show that you only see half of while scrolling on TikTok?

There is “cable but worse” and frankly we should be offended.

How to save your budget… and your sanity

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by all the platforms – and their prices – you’re not alone. Here’s how to survive the streaming wars without breaking your budget:

• Search for student discounts: Some platforms like Hulu and Paramount+ offer student plans or bundle deals with Spotify. Always check for discounts before subscribing.

• Switch subscriptions: Choose one or two platforms to subscribe to each month. Once you finish your shows, stop and move on to the next one. Who cares if you have Netflix while you wait for the next season? Stranger Things?

• Share accounts: Stream smarter, not harder. Share the cost with friends, family, or even a cousin who only uses your Disney+ for Marvel movies.

• Bundle: Disney+ offers a bundle with Hulu and ESPN+, which is right up your alley use all three. Just make sure it’s worth it before you commit.

• Be ruthless: If you don’t watch it, cancel it. I promise Netflix will survive without your $15.

Are we doomed?

At this point, the streaming wars feel less like a fun way to watch TV and more like digital Hunger Games. The platforms keep splitting up the shows we love, raising prices, and throwing advertising in our faces. So what’s next? Piracy? (Just kidding…unless?)

In the end, we may not need it everyone Subscription. Maybe it’s okay to skip it The Mandalorian this year or wait until your parents renew their Max account to watch it again Friends for the 15th time.

So are you winning the streaming wars or are you ready to wave the white flag and opt out for good? Try to win the battle… right after you finish the free trial.