How to choose the right streaming service
The options are almost endless when it comes to the likes of Netflix, Stan, and Disney+. But where is the value for seniors?
A cost-saving tip
You can sample most streaming services by paying for a month and then immediately cancelling.
You’ll still have 30 days of viewing, which will allow you to watch whatever it was you wanted to see and give you time to decide whether it’s for you.
You can reactivate the service at any time, meaning you can save on payments until there is a “bank” of programs you want to see. Then just pay and cancel again and watch those shows in the one-month window.
In recent years, streaming services have transformed how we watch television.
Instead of sitting down at a set time to watch a program, you can now watch your favourite shows and movies – including those you thought you’d never see again – whenever you like, through “on-demand” services.
For seniors, choosing whether to pay for a streaming service in the first place and then picking the right one can seem overwhelming. It becomes a balancing act with considerations including content, price, and the variety of platforms available.
Here’s a simple guide to help you decide which service might best suit your needs.
Streaming services let you watch content online through your internet connection, without needing traditional TV channels or a physical DVD.
These services can offer two types of viewing experiences:
On-demand: You select what you want to watch, when you want to watch it. There’s no set schedule.
Linear: Similar to traditional TV, you can watch pre-scheduled programming, though this is less common in streaming services.
1. Content variety and relevance
Different streaming services cater to different tastes. Some services offer a broad range of content, while others focus on specific genres or interests. Here are some general categories to think about:
Movies and TV shows: Platforms such as Netflix, Prime, Stan, Paramount+, Binge, and Disney+ offer a broad range of movies and TV shows, including dramas, comedies, and documentaries.
News and free-to-air TV: Apps such as ABC iView, SBS On Demand, Nine Now, 10 Play, and 7plus allow you to catch up on live news and current affairs programming from free-to-air channels, plus some extra shows and movies.
Classic movies and TV shows: If you love older films and TV series, services such as BritBox and Acorn TV specialise in British classics, crime dramas, and period pieces.
Free Options: Platforms including YouTube and Tubi offer free content, although you’ll need to watch ads before and during programs.
2. Price structure
Streaming services typically offer a range of payment options:
Monthly subscriptions: Most paid services allow you to subscribe on a monthly basis. For example, Netflix offers plans starting at $7.99 per month, but this service includes some advertisements.
Annual subscriptions: To save money, many services offer a discount if you pay for an entire year upfront. Disney+, for example, provides an annual payment option that works out cheaper than paying monthly.
Ad-supported versus ad-free: Some services, including YouTube and Tubi, offer a cheaper, ad-supported version. Alternatively, paid subscriptions (like Netflix’s premium plans) remove the ads entirely.
Here's a rough comparison:
Netflix: Plans start around $10 a month for basic viewing with ads. Ad-free options start around $16 a month.
Disney+: Around $14 a month, with an annual option that saves you money.
YouTube: Free with ads, or around $17 a month for an ad-free experience.
Remember, these prices don’t include the cost of your broadband internet. To stream content smoothly, you’ll need a stable and reasonably fast internet connection, which may be an additional cost if you’re upgrading from a basic internet plan.
3. Free options worth exploring
Many free options are available for those who want to keep costs down. They may not have the latest releases, but there’s still plenty of quality content.
ABC iView, SBS On Demand, and free-to-air apps: These services allow you to watch content from Australian free-to-air channels, including live news, documentaries, and dramas. This is where you’ll find many of the programs you watched in the 1980s and 90s. They are free and ad-supported but provide a large selection of programming. For example,10 Play also offers some linear services which screen back-to-back episodes of classic TV series, ranging from The Twilight Zone to Judge Judy and Prisoner.
YouTube: Offers a wide variety of free content, from tutorials to documentaries, movies, and vintage TV shows. However, it is ad-supported (unless you pay) and most of the content is made by amateurs. You can even make your own videos and post them for all the world to see!
Tubi: A lesser known but free service offering a broad range of movies, documentaries, and TV shows. You’ll need to tolerate some ads, but the selection is impressive. Among a lot of B-grade movies, you’ll find episodes of old series such as The Beverly Hillbillies, Father Knows Best, The Lucy Show, The Dick Van Dyke Show, and Mr Bean.
4. How to choose the best option
Determine your interests: If you love classic British TV, services like BritBox might be appealing. For movie buffs, Netflix or Disney+ might have the variety you want.
Consider your budget: If you don’t mind the occasional ad, free services like ABC iView, SBS On Demand, and YouTube offer great content without cost. However, if you prefer uninterrupted viewing, a paid subscription with an ad-free option may be more suitable.
Check for trial offers: Many services offer free trials, allowing you to test them for a week or even a month before committing.
Look for bundles: Some streaming services partner with telecommunications companies to offer bundle deals, which may lower your overall cost.
It’s important to stress that the prices listed for streaming services do not include the cost of your internet.
Streaming video uses a lot of data, and if you don’t have an unlimited internet plan, you could face punitive additional charges. Make sure your broadband plan has enough data to support streaming if you plan on using these services regularly.
At the end of the day, it’s up to you whether you can afford a streaming service and whether you see any value in it.
Like any other purchase, you should shop around and know exactly what it is you are getting before you buy.
