Streaming Services You May Already Have Without Realizing It

Joe and Susan are going through their monthly bills.

There is the credit card statement, the cell phone bill, the internet service, and a few other subscriptions. Like many households, they have been looking more closely at their expenses lately.

Their new streaming strategy is already saving money. Rotating services and using free streaming platforms has lowered their monthly entertainment costs.

But as they review their accounts, something catches Susan’s eye.

One of the services they already pay for includes a streaming benefit. Another account allows them to redeem rewards points for a streaming subscription.

Joe looks up and laughs.

They have been paying for a streaming service they might already have access to through another account.

Situations like this are more common than many viewers realize.

Today, streaming services are often bundled with other subscriptions -- from retail memberships and mobile phone plans to internet providers and rewards programs.

Before adding another streaming service to your monthly budget, it may be worth checking whether you already have access through something you are already paying for.

Retail Memberships

Retail membership programs sometimes include streaming services as part of their benefits.

For example, Amazon Prime includes Prime Video at no additional cost.

Another example is Walmart Plus, which allows subscribers to choose between Paramount Plus Essential or Peacock Premium.

The Paramount Plus option includes the ad-supported Essential tier. Subscribers can upgrade to the Paramount Plus Premium plan by paying the normal price difference between the two plans. That upgrade removes most advertising and adds access to the local CBS station in many markets.

Peacock works differently. Upgrading to the ad-free Peacock Premium Plus tier requires paying the full subscription price rather than simply paying the difference.

For some households, the flexibility of the Paramount Plus upgrade makes it the more attractive option.

Mobile Phone Plans

Mobile carriers frequently bundle streaming services with certain plans, particularly premium unlimited plans.

Depending on the provider and plan level, subscribers may receive access to services such as:

• Netflix
• Disney Plus
• Apple TV Plus

These offers vary by carrier and plan and may change over time, but they are common enough that many households already receive at least one streaming benefit through their phone plan.

Internet and Cable Providers

Some broadband and cable providers also include streaming services with certain packages or promotional offers.

In recent years, providers have bundled access to services such as:

• HBO Max
• Peacock
• Paramount Plus

These offers may be tied to specific internet tiers or limited-time promotions, but they are worth checking when reviewing your account.

Rewards and Loyalty Programs

Some companies also offer streaming access through rewards programs.

In some cases, points can be redeemed for streaming subscriptions. In others, loyalty programs provide temporary streaming benefits as part of promotional offers.

This can include rewards tied to:

• credit card programs
• mobile carrier loyalty programs
• membership reward portals

These benefits are often easy to overlook, especially if the rewards program is not used regularly. But they can sometimes provide several months of streaming without adding another monthly bill.

A Quick Check Could Save You Money

Streaming services are now bundled with more products and memberships than ever before. As a result, many households already have access to at least one streaming service through something they are already paying for.

Before subscribing to another streaming service, it may be worth taking a few minutes to review the benefits attached to your existing accounts.

A quick check might include:

• Retail memberships such as Amazon Prime or Walmart Plus
• Mobile phone plans, which sometimes bundle streaming services
• Internet or cable providers, which occasionally include streaming platforms
• Rewards and loyalty programs, where points may be redeemed for streaming subscriptions

You may discover that the next streaming service on your list is already included with a membership or benefit you already have.

For households trying to keep their streaming budget under control, that small discovery can make a meaningful difference.