A Comprehensive Guide to Streaming Bundles
In the past couple of years, we've seen more and more TV Networks pull their shows off of Hulu and Netflix and create their own apps (NBC, Disney, Paramount, and more to come, I'm sure). Not only do we have multiple platforms now, but we also have multiple tiers within each platform: Ads, No Ads, HD, 4k, one user, two users, SO MANY OPTIONS! Deciding which plan to choose on which platform can be as challenging as deciding which spiked-seltzer to bring to a pool party on a hot summer day.
And just like we aren't going to show up to the party with White Claw, High Noon, AND Truly, we aren't going to get every video streaming subscription out there. Which is why all these companies have started offering cable packages bundles.
New Age Cable
I think we all knew this “new age cable” would inevitably happen, but it's making keeping track of subscriptions a wee bit harder. Why? Well, with the introduction of all these bundles and even add-ons, there's a chance you're paying way more for subscriptions than you have to be and you may be paying for a subscription that is actually free if you have another service.
Okay, let me back up and explain what I'm talking about…this literally just happened to my hubby and me. I have been paying for a Hulu bundle that included ESPN+, meanwhile my husband was paying for ESPN+ independently. It took us almost a year to realize it…take this as a sign to take some time and cross reference the video streaming subscriptions in your household. Something tells me ESPN+ doesn't need a monthly “donation” from us – which is basically what it is at this point🫠
The thing is though, it's hard to know what bundle options are out there – you really can't find a comprehensive list of every service, add-on, and bundle available…sooo as a fin-fluencer does, I made one for you!
Is there a way to bundle all streaming services?
Ahh, if only there were! Unfortunately, there is currently no way to bundle all streaming services in one. Streaming bundle plans are dependent upon contracts and negotiations made amongst the streaming services, networks, and platforms. But there are several bundles available with a variation of different services.
I actually went ahead and packaged up every single streaming service, bundle, and add-on available in a neat, organized guide for you. If you want to view all the prices all at once, you can download my Video Streaming Savings Guide. It’s much more geared toward those of us who comprehend things better visually — and I think that’s the case for a lot of us with this one. You can also read the rest of the blog and grab the guide at the end, too!
As we dive into each bundle available, I’ll be notating whether it includes a plan with or without Ads, except for the followings streaming services as they do not have Ads on their platforms: Apple TV+, MGM+, Prime Video, and Starz. I also want to note that ESPN+ has only one plan available as well and it is with Ads.
What are the best streaming bundles?
If we are defining “best” as which one saves you the most money, the best bundle on the market is the Disney Trio Premium bundle for $24.99.
Disney Trio Premium bundle includes:
Hulu (no Ads)
Disney+ (no Ads)
ESPN+
If you were to purchase each service separately, you’d pay $42.97. With the bundle, you save $17.98.
Now remember, it is only the “best” and saves you the most money if you actually love watching all of these channels. We don’t buy things just because they’re a good deal 😉
Streaming bundles with Netflix and Hulu
Currently, the only way to bundle both Netflix and Hulu is by having a T-Mobile Go5G Next Plan for your cell phone. This plan gives you Netflix (with Ads), Hulu (with Ads), and Apple TV+ all for free. If you’re okay with occasional Ads on Netflix and Hulu, then by opting into these free add-ons, you’ll save $25.97 on all three subscriptions. You can also just opt into one of the services with your T-Mobile Go5G Next Plan, you don’t have to get all three.
Streaming bundles with Hulu
Here are all the streaming bundles available with Hulu.
Hulu and Disney+
Disney Duo Basic (with Ads): $9.99
Savings = $5.99
Disney Duo Premium (no Ads): $19.99
Savings = $11.99
Hulu, Disney+, ESPN+
Disney Trio Basic (with Ads): $14.99
Savings = $11.98
Disney Trio Premium (no Ads): $24.99
Savings = $17.98
Verizon Unlimited Plus Plan: $10
Hulu (with Ads)
Disney+ (no Ads)
ESPN+
If you have Verizon, you can add-on the three plans above as a bundle for $10/month, saving you $22.97.
Hulu Add-ons
If you already have a Hulu plan (basic or premium), you can add-on the following streaming services through your Hulu account:
MAX (no Ads): $15.99
Savings = $1.00
Disney+ (with ads): $2.00
Savings = $5.99
Starz : $9.99
Savings = $0
Paramount+ with SHOWTIME: $11.99
Savings = $0
Cinemax: $9.99
Savings = $0
If you’re like, Amanda…why would I add-on Starz, Paramount+, or Cinemax to Hulu when I don’t save any money?! Great question. The only benefit here is being able to access each of those add-ons THROUGH the Hulu app.
Streaming bundles with MAX
Disney+, Hulu, and MAX recently announced that they’d be offering a bundle together in the summer of 2024, but there is still no word on the actual date it will become available or even the price of it. Once it’s announced, we’ll make sure to update this blog and our Streaming Savings Guide.
In the meantime, you can add-on MAX through Hulu for an additional $15.99/month, which saves you $1.
If you have the Verizon Unlimited Plus Plan, you can get MAX (with Ads), Netflix (with Ads), and Apple TV+ for an extra $10 on your monthly cell bill, saving you $17.97 by bundle the three instead of purchasing these plans individually.
Streaming bundles with Netflix
We just mentioned that you can get Netflix (with Ads) bundled with Max (with Ads) and Apple TV+ for $10/month if you have the Verizon Unlimited Plus Plan.
We also mentioned that you can get Netflix (with Ads) for FREE if you have the T-Mobile Go5G Next Plan.
The only other bundle available with Netflix is the Xfinity StreamSaver, which requires Xfinity internet. If you do have Xfinity internet, you can get Netflix (with Ads), Peacock (with Ads), and Apple TV+ for $15.99, which saves you $8.97.
Streaming bundles with Peacock
Again, the only bundle available with Peacock is the Xfinity StreamSaver (we just talked about that).
Streaming bundles with Prime Video
If you already have a Prime Video plan or an Amazon Prime membership (which includes Prime Video for free), you can add-on the following streaming services through your Prime Video account:
MGM+: $5.99
Savings = $1.00
MGM+/AMC+: $10.99
Savings = $4.99
MGM+/Starz: $11.99
Savings = $4.99
Starz/AMC+: $13.99
Savings = $4.99
Starz: $9.99
Savings = $0
AMC+: $8.99
Savings = $0
MAX (with Ads): $9.99
Savings = $0
MAX (no Ads): $16.99
Savings = $0
Paramount+ with SHOWTIME: $11.99
Savings = $0
Cinemax: $9.99
Savings = $0
If you’re like, Amanda…why would I add-on those last few if I don’t save any money?! Just like Hulu, the only benefit here is being able to access each of those add-ons THROUGH the Prime Video app.
Video Steaming Savings Guide
I know that was a long, comprehensive list with a whole lot of words which is why I packaged up every single bundle in a neat, organized VISUAL chart in my brand new Video Streaming Savings Guide! This guide makes it even easier to compare all of the bundles available so you can find the one that’s right for you and save the most money.
Wrapping up
Feeling a little overwhelmed with all the subscription options and different bundles? I get it. Don’t know which one will work in your budget? I know how you feel which is why I have a free live budgeting class coming up: Budget Like a Baddie - How to Build a Budget You Can Actually Follow! That’s right, join me and hundreds of other Wolfe Packers for one hour at 7 pm CST on Tuesday, June 18, 2024 to go over budgeting basics. You’ll leave knowing how to build a build a budget, how to build your dream live, and how to hit your goals. RSVP to class before the spots fill up!
