Subscription fatigue is a real thing. I’m someone who frequently switches between subscriptions, depending on the types of shows I want to watch.
However, that can be exhausting, as I want to make the most of my monthly subscriptions.
I spend hours researching new TV shows and movies to watch with my family. Watching something while we have weekend dinners together has become integral.
But our recent significant hurdle is discoverability.
It is becoming increasingly difficult to find shows based on our most recently watched lists. We often get recommendations for international shows, and most of my family won’t give any dubbed series a try.
I’d like to avoid bouncing between streaming services if possible. I also don’t want to keep spending hours every week or two researching new content to watch, just to get the most bang for my buck.
So, I began looking for plausible alternatives that work with my streaming setup, and here’s what I’ve found (so far).
Reverse cord-cutting by returning to cable TV
I remembered why cable TV is declining
After cutting the cord, it is hard to go back, except for me; it is nearly impossible to do so.
Before I started streaming, I was paying for a satellite service to get my channels. I live in a remote location, so accessing local TV channels was already difficult.
Returning to a satellite package would be somewhat costly, as the providers offering them are limited, and it would be more expensive than I’d like (I couldn’t justify the cost).
Even though I’d 100% try to go back to it, since I miss the days of channel surfing and discovering new movies by chance.
Still, even if I could, the incurred cost of doing so is why I wouldn’t be able to.
Using an over-the-air antenna TV
It didn’t go very well
The over-the-air antenna TV option poses a similar issue.
A digital over-the-air antenna receives broadcasts from local TV stations. So, for me, given my location, the offerings would be highly limiting.
However, this is a great, free alternative if you’re interested in local network channels, such as news and weather.
Suppose you’re curious about what you might find before purchasing an over-the-air antenna TV setup. In that case, you can use the Federal Communications Commission page to see a DTV reception map for your area.
From there, you can find the estimated signal strengths and the available stations.
I checked out cheaper streaming services
These hidden gems surprised me
I discovered that streaming is the only real option for me right now. But that doesn’t mean I have to pay an arm and a leg for the popular options.
As a general rule, I avoid piracy. It’s illegal. For me, I would rather support the services that host the shows by watching non-stop ads than not.
It is a waste to pay for Netflix, Disney+, and Crave for a single movie or TV series a month. Recently, I’ve also noticed that the number of films I watch on a streaming service has decreased significantly. I usually make standalone purchases to buy or rent them instead.
I ask myself: What am I really doing? I’m struggling to find multiple TV series on a single platform that I like, and I severely need help discovering new content.
Here’s my solution: I’ve opted to let the stress go and try the free and inexpensive alternatives to streaming, such as Tubi and Pluto TV.
Tubi was my first replacement choice, as my primary streaming platform is an Amazon Fire TV, and I have two Fire TV sticks.
I’ve had a blast with Tubi TV. I spent time watching Ghost Stories (the dub is hilarious), an anime classic that retells Japanese ghost stories with a dysfunctional cast of kids.
Outside of that, I have also been browsing the “On-Now” section and the Live TV categories on Tubi.
The On-Now section is organized into subcategories, allowing you to tune in to sports or focus on movies instead.
The catalog is limited, but I found myself enjoying the spontaneous nature of this channel. Some days, I would rather put the TV on in the background to drown out the noise, even if I am not focusing on the displayed content.
The other platform I enjoyed using is Pluto TV. It also works on my Amazon Fire TV, which would be a deal-breaker if it didn’t.
Pluto TV is best described as a mixed tape. Similar to Tubi, the platform is entirely free and supported by ads.
It offers a wide variety of content. The best part is that the content doesn’t disappear very often. Whereas Netflix has made me anxious with FOMO, fearing that some of my favorite animated shows would disappear too quickly.
Pluto TV is divided into two primary tabs: Live TV and On Demand content. Live TV also has its own hourly schedule, which you can check on the day to see what’s airing before it happens (note that it is not a full guide).
I wasn’t too impressed by the drama section of Pluto TV. But on the other hand, I was excited to see that Pluto TV offered 10 seasons of One Piece.
Tubi and Pluto TV both operate on FAST models. So I don’t need to foot any extra costs for quick entertainment.
My favorite aspect of trying out these FAST platforms is that I can take my time discovering new content. It also gives me an excuse to develop my tastes, giving me content I might not otherwise try if I were paying for it.
So far, Tubi and Pluto TV have helped alleviate the pressure of searching for new shows.
Sometimes, my family and I try out different shows to see what sticks when we can’t find anything else to watch. Both platforms offer that option with no commitment.
Ads also don’t bother my family, since most of us have down-sized our subscriptions. We opted for the ad-supported tiers to lower costs (except for Netflix).
The only downside is that the content is still limited. But we only watch a handful of episodes a week, anyway. Plus, it buys us time to find better deals or gives us more time to plan (never again will I wait for weekly episodes to release on a subscription-based platform).
Don’t let popular streaming services dictate your entertainment
The cost of entertainment is still obscenely high. But if you’re trying to budget your expenses, it unfortunately has to be the first to go.
Fortunately, there are more affordable alternatives that won’t break the bank.
Even Google offers a free movie and TV portal built directly into its Google TV platform.
Otherwise, you can try out FAST models like I have, or downgrade your current services.
