4 Streaming Services Worth Keeping After the Great Purge

Key Takeaways

• Netflix remains essential for cultural moments like Squid Game and Stranger Things
• Disney+ is nearly mandatory for households with children thanks to Disney, Pixar, and Bluey
• Bundling services like Hulu with Disney+ increases value per dollar spent

The Streaming Subscription Problem

Streaming used to be simple. You paid Netflix $8 a month and got access to almost everything worth watching. Those days are gone. Now there are at least a dozen major streaming platforms, each holding exclusive content hostage. The math stopped working somewhere around subscription number five.

Adam Davidson, a tech writer at How-To Geek, recently went through his streaming subscriptions and cut everything that wasn't pulling its weight. He kept four services. His reasoning offers a useful framework for anyone staring at their own bloated monthly entertainment bill.

Netflix: The Water-Cooler Requirement

Netflix changed how we watch TV. It was the first major streaming platform and, despite losing licensed content to competitors over the years, it's still the one service most people can't quit.

The reason isn't nostalgia. It's originals. Shows like Stranger Things, Squid Game, Beef, and Bridgerton exist only on Netflix. These aren't just good shows. They're cultural events. If you want to participate in conversations about what everyone's watching, Netflix is non-negotiable.

Netflix's ad-supported tier starts at $8 per month. That gets you two simultaneous streams. For households that don't mind occasional ads, it's one of the better value propositions in streaming.

Disney+: The Kids' Veto

If you have children, Disney+ probably isn't optional. The service has nearly the entire Disney and Pixar animated catalog. That alone covers most family movie nights for years.

But Disney+ goes beyond the obvious. Shows like The Amazing World of Gumball and Bluey have become household staples. Davidson specifically recommends Bluey for anyone who hasn't seen it, calling it "incredibly heartwarming." Parents who've watched it know he's underselling it.

The Hulu bundle adds significant value. Bundling Disney+ with Hulu gives you access to a much wider range of content without paying for two separate subscriptions at full price.

The Selection Framework

Davidson's approach to cutting subscriptions follows a simple logic: keep services with content you can't get elsewhere and actually watch regularly. Netflix has originals that drive cultural conversation. Disney+ has kids' content and legacy libraries no other service can match.

The services that got cut presumably failed one of those tests. Either their exclusive content wasn't compelling enough, or the viewing hours didn't justify the monthly cost.

How to Audit Your Own Subscriptions

Start by listing every streaming service you pay for and the monthly cost. Then check your watch history for the past three months on each platform. If you haven't opened an app in 60 days, that's a strong signal.

• Calculate your cost-per-hour of actual viewing for each service
• Identify which shows are exclusive vs. available elsewhere
• Consider rotating subscriptions monthly instead of keeping all active
• Check for bundle deals that combine services you'd keep anyway

The rotation strategy works well for services with limited content you want. Subscribe for a month, binge what you want to watch, cancel, move to the next service. It requires more active management but can cut streaming costs by half or more.

The Bottom Line

Four services is a reasonable number for most households. It covers cultural relevance (Netflix), family viewing (Disney+), and likely two others that match specific viewing habits. The exact mix will vary by household, but the principle holds: pay only for services with exclusive content you actually watch.

The days of subscribing to everything are over. The math never made sense. Pick your four, rotate as needed, and accept that you'll miss some shows. That's not a bug. It's the only sustainable way to consume streaming in 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do streaming services cost per month in 2026?

Netflix starts at $8/month for the ad-supported tier. Disney+ and most other major services range from $8-15/month depending on the plan. Four subscriptions typically costs $40-60 monthly.

Is Netflix still worth subscribing to?

For most viewers, yes. Netflix originals like Squid Game, Stranger Things, and Bridgerton drive cultural conversation in ways other services can't match. The $8/month ad tier makes it relatively affordable.

Should I bundle Disney+ with Hulu?

If you'd subscribe to both anyway, bundling saves money. The combined library is significantly larger than either service alone, making the per-title cost more reasonable.

Can I rotate streaming subscriptions monthly?

Yes. Most services allow monthly cancellation with no penalty. Subscribe, watch what you want, cancel, move to the next service. This strategy can cut annual streaming costs by 50% or more.

Which streaming service has the best kids content?

Disney+ leads for children's content. It has nearly the complete Disney and Pixar catalog plus popular shows like Bluey and The Amazing World of Gumball.

Source: How-To Geek