10 Hidden Costs of Streaming TV in 2025! from Michael Saves

Michael Timmermann, on his YouTube channel, Michael Saves, presents a video titled "10 Hidden Costs of Streaming TV in 2025!" that delves into the unexpected fees and price traps that can make streaming a lot more expensive than people realize. He breaks down how the streaming industry has found new ways to nickel and dime subscribers.

[YouTube]

The Hidden Costs of Streaming

The video outlines ten sneaky ways streaming services increase your costs. These include: increased commercial loads on ad-supported plans; paying for features like 4K streaming that are locked behind expensive tiers; the higher cost of content access for full libraries or local channels; paying through a middleman (like app stores) at an inflated price; and the cost of your data on "free" services like Tubi. He also highlights expiring promotional savings that cause bill shock; the waste of unnecessary bundles and unneeded hardware upgrades; and being hit with unexpected taxes and fees on streaming bills. Finally, he points out the expense of paying for internet speed that you’ll never use for streaming.

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It's crucial for any cord-cutter to be aware of how subscription costs can quietly increase. Michael Saves does a great job of shining a light on these tactics. My Streaming Life involves a constant rotation of services and a dedication to avoiding these hidden fees, which keeps my monthly costs well below what I used to pay for cable.