We're living in the golden age of television right now. The arrival of streaming services over the last few years has allowed users unrivalled access to TV on demand.
They've also generally provided access to content at a lower price than traditional setups like cable TV. Some still offer attractive monthly costs. Apple TV+, for example, can be picked up for just £6.99 a month in the UK.
That's definitely in the minority, though. A host of top streaming services have just raised prices, in a bid to combat falling stock prices. And – according to analysis conducted by the Financial Times – that has tipped the balance back in favour of traditional services.
They suggest that a basket of popular streaming apps is now more costly than an equivalent cable TV package. It's definitely a USA-focused piece of research, but the premise remains the same – with prices rising quite dramatically, and other password sharing crackdowns reducing value, is streaming still worthwhile?
Well, yes.
See, while the financial burden of having multiple subscriptions may have reached parity with older styles of viewing, their content is still substantially better. Sure, you aren't going to like everything on offer, but chances are there's something for you.
What's more, there's a lot of extra variety on streaming services. I personally gave up on traditional cable packages a long time ago. Sure, they have some good stuff on there, but there's also a lot of repeats and other content which just isn't valuable.
Get all the latest news, reviews, deals and buying guides on gorgeous tech, home and active products from the T3 experts
Why would I pay for 200 channels showing some variation of Storage Hunters and Lizard Lick Towing? For a fraction of the cost, I could gain access to a streaming service full of original shows and carefully curated legacy titles.
When you actually consider the content you're likely to consume – or at least, enjoy consuming – streaming services still offer much better value for money. Take Netflix as an example.
While I – like most people – wasn't thrilled with the recent password sharing changes and price hikes, I still use the service most days. It's packed with so much content that there's always something for me, whether I'm feeling adventurous or just want to settle in with something familiar.
In short – if you break down the cost against what you actually gain from it, streaming services still offer a lot more than traditional setups.
Sam Cross is an award-winning journalist, with nine years of experience in the media industry. His work can be found in publications as diverse as Oracle Time, Metro and Last Word on Sports.
Here at T3, Sam is best known as the brand’s go-to guy for all things luxurious – from exquisite watches to fine fragrances; the latest performance vehicles to intricate audio equipment, and more.
He’s often found travelling around the world to test new launches, complete with high-end backpacks and suitcases in tow. And when he’s not adding to his air miles, Sam can be found in front of a video camera, bringing his distinctive brand of storytelling to T3’s social media channels.
Sam also loves all things analogue including listening to music on vinyl or cassette, and photography on vintage film cameras.