JVTech News One minimum wage per year for series! Netflix, Disney+… I’ve done the math and I know how to save
Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, Canal+, Crunchyroll… subscriptions to various video-on-demand (SVOD) services are on the rise. While streaming should have made everyone’s life easier and made it possible to make big savings, the reality of the market in 2023 puts a little slap on this utopia. It’s time to take stock.
Netflix, Disney Plus, Amazon Prime… how much do all streaming services cost together?
Sports fans already know the hell of racking up season tickets. For example, following all the football competitions requires a subscription to Canal+, beIN Sports and Amazon Prime. At least. For a person who loves series and movies and who wants to have access to the widest possible catalog through legal solutions, it’s even worse.
Democratizing streaming, on paper, looks like an elegant solution to the piracy problem. From boom from Netflix the conclusion is clear, clear and without appeal: the strategy worked. Illegal downloading has decreased and the film industry is doing well.
Netflix’s winning formula didn’t go long without competition: many big companies want their own streaming platform and will invest as many millions as necessary. Today you can find exclusive movies and interesting series on… dozens of different platforms. If you want to subscribe to all the major streaming services in France, it costs roughly the equivalent of a minimum wage a year. I can prove this statement with a simple calculation!
In this calculation, I have decided to add up the 11 most popular video on demand services in France. I could have added others such as Filmo TV and its 800 family films, the excellent Shadows which specializes in genre cinema or the hugely popular overseas Hulu. The choice is relatively arbitrary, it must be admitted, but it gives a good idea of the prices charged and the diversity found in the world of SVOD.
| Platform name | Price per month | Price per year |
| Netflix 4K | €17.99 | €215.99 |
| Disney+ | €8.99 | €107.88 |
| Amazon Prime videos | 5.83 | €69.90 |
| Warner + HBO bundle on Amazon | €9.99 | €119.88 |
| Crunchyroll mega fan | €6.49 | €77.88 |
| AppleTV+ | €6.99 | €83.88 |
| Canal Plus Cinema Series | €25.99 | €311.88 |
| SCO | €10.99 | €131.88 |
| Fundamental+ | €7.99 | €95.88 |
| Molotov Extras | €5.99 | €71.88 |
| Rakuten TV | €4.99 | €59.88 |
| Total | €112.23 | €1347.70 |
As of March 2023, the date on which I write these lines, the net SMIC in France amounts to 1353 euros. The subscription to the 11 major streaming platforms therefore equates to little more than a monthly minimum wage.
There aren’t 36 different ways to save on subscriptions. However, we have some tips to share with you! Let’s start without further ado from the simplest and most obvious thing of all: knowing how to select offers.
We just saw it, it’s absurd to subscribe to 11 different services. Identify your needs, set a budget, and don’t subscribe to a service you’ll hardly ever use. If you are interested in a specific program, don’t forget that there is almost always a week or even a month of free trial – there is plenty of time to finish a series! On AppleTV+ plus, for example, we can recommend the excellent SF Foundations series to complete during the 7-day free trial.
You also need to know that there are often different subscription formulas. On Netflix, for example, the 4K subscription plan may not be mandatory if you have a very good TV. In fact, the higher-end television models have powerful processors capable of simulating 4K with a lower quality source in an extremely impressive way. Between two subscription formulas, prices can sometimes vary from simple to double!
Few know, but be aware that many companies offer “bouquets” containing multiple subscriptions at a bargain price. For example, the recent RAT+ offer reserved for under 26s on the Canal website, it includes 5 main streaming services, obviously including the extremely expensive Canal+, for only €19.99 a month. Likewise, a lot Internet mailbox providers AS Bouygues, SFR OR Free offer this type of subscription packages at low prices.
For people living in shared accommodation, for example, don’t hesitate apshare your codes with other family members ! Many streaming services allow for multiple simultaneous screens, which is a good way to split the cost!
Finally, consider VPNs. NordVPN, cyberghost , SurfShark, Express VPN the references are numerous. A VPN allows you to expand your streaming catalog on vacation abroad!