Netflix, Amazon and Disney+ fans urged to make small change to save money

Following the news that Netflix users in the US who are using the ad-supported subscription are unable to watch certain shows and movies, customers are looking for ways to cut down their streaming costs

Netflix has faced a backlash from subscribers labelling the streaming giant "greedy" following an unwelcome surprise for US users with the ad-supported plan who found themselves unable to watch a selection of TV shows and films.

US-based subscribers discovered that around 150 titles, including fan favourites like 'House of Cards,' 'Peaky Blinders,' and 'Spy Kids: Mission Critical,' were inaccessible. A slew of frustrated Netflix fans vented their irritation on Reddit after encountering a lock icon when searching for certain programmes.

When these subscribers attempted to watch the locked content, they learned that it was available only under an ad-free membership that comes with a price tag of £10.99, in stark contrast to the standard £4.99 subscription which features advertisements.

Netflix stepped forward with a statement addressing the issue, indicating that complex licensing agreements and restrictions are what prevent ad-tier subscribers from accessing certain content. As a result, many Netflix users have begun to explore how to slash their streaming bills while still being able to watch their treasured TV hits and flicks, reports the Express.

Handily, Nick Drewe, retail expert and founder of discount platform Wethrift, has offered his wisdom on how folks can cut down on their streaming costs without missing out on top-notch entertainment.

His first piece of advice is to take full advantage of every feature offered by each service, using Amazon Prime as an example of a streaming platform that provides much more than just TV and films, including perks such as free one-day delivery, e-books, Amazon Fresh, and same-day grocery delivery.

"So if you are paying the Prime subscription price, it is important to make use of all of its services, not just one or two," Nick elaborated.

"Take a look at the channels and services you are regularly consuming content from and ask yourself, 'Do I need to pay for all of these TV and film streaming services at the same time? '" Nick advises. "If the answer is no, Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Disney+ all allow you to cancel a monthly plan without an exit fee.

"Therefore, if there is a particular programme being launched that you know you will be bingeing, it's perfectly feasible to cancel the other platforms you won't use as much and continue alternating the platforms you pay for in order to save some money."

He also stresses the importance of downgrading plans when feasible; for instance, with Netflix offering several subscription options, selecting the most economical choice may be sensible if you're the sole user.

How to save on upfront costs

Nick offers another money-saving tip: it can be more cost-effective to pay for subscriptions annually rather than monthly.

"It's often cheaper to pay for a subscription annually rather than monthly. So, if you're confident that you'll use the service regularly, it may be worth paying the upfront cost to save money in the long term. With many subscriptions, companies are looking to tie you in for the year, so the monthly cost will usually work out more after paying it over twelve months."

Nick's final piece of advice is to promptly cancel any services you aren't using, as he suggests: "Finally, cancel anything that you don't use. If you have several bank accounts with small outgoings of subscription fees, you can use an app like Money Dashboard to see an overview of your outgoings and spot subscriptions that you may not want or need anymore."

"Remember, there is always a free alternative too. The likes of All4, ITV Hub, and My5 give you some great box sets free of charge, although you can pay to view them without adverts."

Story SavedYou can find this story in  My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.