As streaming services like Netflix continually raise their prices while continually losing content, the appeal of modern paid entertainment systems starts to wane. Customers are sick of being taken for granted, but we still crave the entertainment options these systems provide. Fortunately, there are modern alternatives that can prove just as capable, and they’re cheaper than you might think.
Interactive Experiences
Before turning to streaming alternatives, a good starting place that illustrates the library of experiences available for low-cost entertainment comes from the interactive sphere. Perhaps the best example here is seen in online casino gaming, such as free bingo. Free online bingo brings the classic game to desktop and mobile devices, providing chances to win real money several times a day. Of course, low-cost paid options are also available, but for completely free access, this is a strong starting position.
Free and Low-Cost Passive Media
Passive media to replace the likes of Netflix is also possible, and not just for visual entertainment. Also, with options in music, audiobooks, and reading, there’s a myriad of options here if you’re willing to do something a little different.
Starting with television and film, the options tend to be supported by ads. This is a lot like older broadcast TV, as paid streaming services insist on inserting an increasing number of ads. Here, services like Tubi and Plex can be great for traditional content, while apps like Philo are better suited to lifestyle entertainment.
Moving onto music, an equally diverse number of options are available across every genre imaginable. YouTube music is a good starting place, again ad-supported like traditional broadcast music stations. Jango is another fantastic alternative, where you don’t even need an account to sign up and listen. You might also enjoy Soundcloud, which can be a great way to experience new artists who aren’t yet available on bigger services like Spotify.
Books and audiobooks can be a little more tricky to find. Outside public libraries, your best choice for books is through eBooks, where media can be found and downloaded from services like Project Gutenberg. This service alone offers more than 75,000 free eBooks, making it a great first choice.
Direct internet searches for the eBooks and audiobooks you’re interested in can be helpful, but users also shouldn’t overlook the power of The Internet Archive. This digital library aims to collect as much media as possible into one location, including anything that’s offered for free. If you’re a fan of classic novels in written or spoken form, this website is a lifesaver, with thousands of hours of entertainment just a few clicks away.
When many of us signed up for the popular streaming services of today, we only used one or two options, and they were much cheaper than they are now. Over time, price hikes and the need for more services have slowly crept in, and we underestimate just how much they cost us each year. If you haven’t already, look at just how much you pay overall for these services currently, consider which you could do without, and perhaps try some of the above for more user-friendly alternatives.