dotheDVDeed

With the multitude of streaming services to pick from and with more to come, I was hoping to pick up some tips (and maybe learn the pitfalls) for short-term subscriptions.

Other than my long-term subscriptions to Netflix and Prime Video I'd be interested how you sign-up and cancel these services.

What did you binge on before cancelling? Will you be back in a year's time to catch the next season if there's any?

Is it easy to subscribe and cancel through Amazon? A lot of "Channels" are available there. Or maybe use a fill-up credit card?

Hulu, CBS All Access, HBO Now, Showtime, Starz, Acorn TV, Hallmark, Brit Box, Sundance, Tribeca Shortlist, .... others? And of course Disney and Apple streamers are coming.

Are the free trials really "free"? Can you double-dip? Did you try?

Any good free trials you'd like to pass on?

Thanks in advance.

TIM

RichC2

I can't vouch for most of these, but Hulu and HBO Now were as easy as joining and clicking cancel.

Most of these have cancel buttons tucked away in their settings menu.

dotheDVDeed

Thanks Rich. That's good to know.

How long did you subscribe for?

TIM

suomynona

I misread again. For a moment, I thought that In-N-Out was now offering streaming services.

dotheDVDeed

Hey why not? Everyone has a streaming channel now!

Eddie W

All of them are super easy. Unlike cable you don't have to call a CSR and beg to cancel. Just cancel online & it's as easy as 'see ya, bye!'. So this works really well for me as I can weave in & out of services as the current seasons of shows I like air. The other thing that's different about cable is that you subscribe for a finite time. So they don't prorate if you cancel early. You still get to watch until your month is up. And yes, the free trials really are free.

The day this changes to the cable model of long term contracts & cancellation hassles is the day I quit streaming.

E Unit

That’s why I stopped doing individual subscription and went back to cable. It was actually cheaper.

dotheDVDeed

Well that's kind the point of this thread. You don't have to subscribe to all the channels at the same time. Just binge for a week or maybe as long as a month and move on to another subscription channel.

And it seems ideal that I don't have to deal with Cable TV CSRs. &*#$*&@ waiting on hold! I've got more series to watch!

TIM

davidh777

This is a key point. You pay for a month, so either cancel early or pay attention to when your month renews so you don't get dinged for another month that you didn't want.

DJariya

I still subscribe to DirecTV and have a few streaming subscriptions, but I think for some it's a pain in the ass to try to keep track of 5, 6, 7 different TV streaming bills to get all the shows and movies they want.

Even for short term, you have to know when that bill is coming up and also you have to think to yourself if you're watching enough to make the most of the money your spending on it.

E Unit

Of course, but I’m just stating what another option is. And based on your comments, you want to try and take advantage of free trials - which is fine honestly, as I’ve done that myself before - but for a lot of us who don’t have that week or month to binge, doing cost comparison for myself, I just went back to cable.

But yes, I’ve done trials before, and you can only do it once, as I believe you always have to put in a credit card and they base it off address.

majorjoe23

I did three one week trials of Showtime to binge Twin Peaks. It worked out well.

Defiant

FYI: I cancelled my free trial subscription to CBS All Access and it offered a month for free. (as far as I could tell, there were no strings attached)

dvd-4-life

CBS Now-What's that?

Defiant

Sorry, CBS All Access. (probably mixed it up with FandangoNow)

dvd-4-life

Some (HBO and Showtime) have 2 streaming services so they can confuse everyone. EPIX only has one .

GatorDeb

Amazon Channels is the best for this. Sign up, cancel the next day (so that you don't forget to when the month is up), do a different channel next month.

TomOpus

Between Netflix, my personal collection, library rentals and the free options (Tubi, VUDU, YouTube) I got more than enough to keep me occupied.

dotheDVDeed

Thanks! This is a great tip.

TIM