Has the TV streaming bubble burst?

EntertainmentStreamingHas the TV streaming bubble burst?With subscription costs mounting, is it really better to revert to traditional TV packages?When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

With subscription costs mounting, is it really better to revert to traditional TV packages?

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

(Image credit: Rik Henderson / Future)

Streaming apps on an iPhone

(Image credit: Rik Henderson / Future)

We’re living in the golden age of television right now. The arrival ofstreaming servicesover the last few years has allowed users unrivalled access to TV on demand.

They’ve also generally provided access to content at a lower price than traditional setups like cable TV. Some still offer attractive monthly costs.Apple TV+, for example, can be picked up for just £6.99 a month in the UK.

They suggest that a basket of popular streaming apps is now more costly than an equivalent cable TV package. It’s definitely a USA-focused piece of research, but the premise remains the same – with prices rising quite dramatically, and otherpassword sharing crackdownsreducing value, is streaming still worthwhile?

Well, yes.

See, while the financial burden of having multiple subscriptions may have reached parity with older styles of viewing, their content is still substantially better. Sure, you aren’t going to likeeverythingon offer, but chances are there’s something for you.

What’s more, there’s a lot of extra variety on streaming services. I personally gave up on traditional cable packages a long time ago. Sure, they have some good stuff on there, but there’s also a lot of repeats and other content which just isn’t valuable.

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Why would I pay for 200 channels showing some variation ofStorage HuntersandLizard Lick Towing? For a fraction of the cost, I could gain access to a streaming service full of original shows and carefully curated legacy titles.

When you actually consider the content you’re likely to consume – or at least, enjoy consuming – streaming services still offer much better value for money. TakeNetflixas an example.

While I – like most people – wasn’t thrilled with the recent password sharing changes and price hikes, I still use the service most days. It’s packed with so much content that there’s always something for me, whether I’m feeling adventurous or just want to settle in with something familiar.

In short – if you break down the cost against what you actually gain from it, streaming services still offer a lot more than traditional setups.

Today’s best Apple TV, Disney Plus and Netflix dealsDisney+ Annual Premium$139.99/yearViewatDisney+Netflix - Standard with ads$6.99/mthViewatNetflixNetflix - Standard$15.49/mthViewatNetflix

Today’s best Apple TV, Disney Plus and Netflix deals

Disney+ Annual Premium$139.99/yearViewatDisney+Netflix - Standard with ads$6.99/mthViewatNetflixNetflix - Standard$15.49/mthViewatNetflix

Disney+ Annual Premium$139.99/yearViewatDisney+

Disney+

Disney+ Annual Premium

$139.99/yearView

$139.99/year

/year

atDisney+

Netflix - Standard with ads$6.99/mthViewatNetflix

Netflix

Netflix - Standard with ads

$6.99/mthView

$6.99/mth

/mth

atNetflix

Netflix - Standard$15.49/mthViewatNetflix

Netflix

Netflix - Standard

$15.49/mthView

$15.49/mth

/mth

atNetflix

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