Streaming overload: What it really costs to watch everything you want
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Illustration: Allie Carl/Axios
My love of UFC had me adding yet another streaming subscription this past weekend.
Why it matters: The media landscape is changing rapidly, with consumers like me facing a seemingly endless supply of streaming services to consider. The process can be confusing and costly.
Case in point: UFC fans had to sign up for Paramount+ to watch UFC 324 over the weekend at a cost of $8.99 per month (or $89.99 per year).
State of play: Inspired by Axios Detroit's Joe Guillen, I decided it was time to audit my streaming costs to save money.
Stunning stats: My streaming subscriptions cost $163 a month.
- That comes to $1,956 a year for Hulu+, Netflix, HBO Max, Prime Video, Peacock, ESPN+, Disney+, Paramount+, Apple Music and Apple TV.
Reality check: That's actually less than I thought.
- I bundle Hulu+ Live TV with ESPN+ and Disney+ to save money. I also get HBO Max, Netflix and Apple Music through my Verizon plan for an additional $20 a month.
Yes, but: $163 a month is still a lot, and I've been tempted to add more subscriptions.
- Watching Browns games every Sunday is painful. So, I tried a free trial of NFL Sunday Ticket through YouTube TV and may go that route this fall.
Zoom out: Subscribing to every live‑sports platform requires thousands per year, the NYT reports.
- Just like UFC, leagues like the NFL and NBA have carved up the rights to their highest-profile games across broadcast channels, cable channels and streaming services like Netflix and HBO Max.
Zoom in: Baseball fans could watch Guardians games on the new CLEGuardians.TV last season.
- However, ESPN is taking over control of those games this coming season. It's unclear exactly how fans can watch and how much it will cost.
What's next: I'm going to ditch Peacock. The only thing I stream on there is reruns of "The Office," which I can watch on Comedy Central.
- I'm trying to figure out how to watch movies that are only available on streaming services like STARZ, AMC+, MUBI, Shudder and Philo.
The bottom line: The entire thought of it all gives me a headache.