Rewrite this title for a blog post. Remove any site names from it The title is: Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+… I stopped all my subscriptions since I discovered this free streaming platform

A MAX of subscriptions

Last month, Franceinfo relied on data published by the BearingPoint firm to tell us that French spending on digital subscriptions had increased by 22% in two years. This means that each household pays an average of 45 euros per month to enjoy music on Spotify, Deezer, YouTube Music or to watch series/films on Canal+, Netflix, Amazon Prime (and many others). A study of Bango reveals that by adding up all the types of subscription (commerce, food, gaming, fitness, etc.), the score amounts to 780 euros per yearon average.

Do constant increases in service prices have an impact on consumers? Yes, according to the study, which reveals that 42% of respondents have recently canceled a subscription due to ever-increasing prices. Does this develop a rejection of subscriptions on a more global scale? No, still according to the study, since 60% of Europeans participating in the study declare that they would engage more with different platforms if they had the means, even if they already subscribe to more than 3 services on average.

Take a Netflix subscription card on Micromania

Subscriptions are definitely part of our consumption habits and the entertainment giants know it. With Netflix, Amazon Prime, Apple TV+, Crunchyroll, Disney+, Paramount+ and the recent arrival of Max, there is plenty of choice when it comes to the series/film offering. Maybe even a little too much.

Free TV again

I have always managed not to subscribe to too much of offers, regardless of the type of service offered. I started by stopping Deezer when Orange decided to remove it from my package in 2014. As for video games, I only subscribe to Game Pass even if I occasionally take a month of PS+ or Switch Online depending on the proposals. Finally, for SVOD, after having visited several platforms, I stayed with Netflix and Canal+ Series for many years. It's ancient history today: I'm consuming television programs for free again. “Like before”, the oldest among you might add.

Awareness arose at the beginning of this year, when TF1 launched its free streaming platform: TF1+. I noticed the presence of certain films that I wanted to see, which piqued my curiosity. This forced me to find out a little more about all the replay services of our various channels, and to realize that I almost systematically found programs that would arouse my interest or that of my loved ones. Cartoons for children? There are many on Okoo (France TV) and M6. Reports? There are dozens of them on France 2, France 3, France 5 and Arte. The booster shot came with the arrival of M6+ in May.bringing to the catalog of films to watch for free Zombieland, Pixels, Taxi Driver, Signs, the Die Hard saga or even Free Guy and West Side Story (recently added). Enough to complete with Jurassic Park, The Return of the Mummy, Armageddon, Valerian and other The Hobbit on TF1+.

Old

Of course, I know that my consumer profile is particular and that it is surely different from that of the majority of people who pass through here. Being in my thirties, not having much time to watch series, I like watching old stuff. I appreciate good series of course, and I admit that I loved discovering The Terror and other interesting works on Amazon Prime. In the editorial office, I am constantly being promoted for Apple TV+ sci-fi series such as For All Mankind, Severance or Foundation. However, I do not feel any lack in missing out on shows that are in the news, and I continue to buy in physical version – when possible – the few series/films that are furiously recommended to me. A little old-fashioned, I must admit.

What really convinced me to stop all my SVOD subscriptions was the discovery of Pluto TV, a free service offering both VOD as well as around a hundred channels broadcasting programs continuously. What pleasantly surprised me when I installed the application is that in addition to being free, there is no account to create. No email address to provide, no telephone number to give: the channels broadcast without you wasting a single second in providing your personal data.

The other good news is that Pluto TV offers channels/videos on demand totally designed for the nostalgic TV child that I am. Among the programs, we find, in no particular order, Hélène and the Boys, The girls next door, South Park, One Piece, It's not rocket science, Lightning, Top Gear, Sponge Bob, music channels, wrestling, the 1989 Super Mario Bros cartoon, Angela Anaconda, Yu-Gi-Oh!, Doctor Who and even MacGyver. Nothing but “very dispensable“some will say,”Proust's madeleines” others will say. Video game fans can also find recent episodes of Level One, full of Retro Game One, as well as a documentary on the creation of video games.

So yes, the films on demand are of very questionable quality for the most part, and certainly, someone who is under 20 will probably find little interest in what there is to seebut it currently allows me to save about twenty euros per month without feeling the slightest lack. Who knows, maybe it could be the same for you too?