Remember when Hulu was free, and Netflix was $8 per month? Streaming TV isn't the deal it used to be, with price hikes, extra user fees and sports packages that can bring your monthly streaming bills shooting up to $200 or more. 

Every year, we've seen costs rise for services like Netflix, Peacock, Philo and Disney's platforms, where the average price for just an ad-based plan starts at $9 per month. Slim packages like DirecTV's Genre Packs and YouTube TV's skinny offerings beef up the bundle game, but all of these extra choices put me in the position of a coach trying to figure out who to cut.

CNET's latest survey found that on average, we're spending more than $200 a year on subscriptions we're not using. 

If you're holding onto six different streamers just to keep up with a couple of shows, it might be time to rethink your setup. You don't have to cancel everything -- just get strategic. Here's the simple system I use to cut down my streaming costs without sacrificing the shows I love. 

Rotate your streaming subscriptions 

Whether you're streaming exclusively or do it while still holding on tightly to the cable cord, you can save cash. With monthly plans, it's easy to subscribe to a streaming service and cancel if prices rise or if you're bored with the content. 

According to Deloitte's 2026 Media Trends report, the average US household spends $71 per month on four streaming services -- totaling about $850 per year. People cancel their streaming subscriptions mainly due to price and availability -- or lack of -- engaging content. Media companies refer to this behavior as "churn." We're calling this the rotation method, and we recommend that you try it.

The incentive? You save your coin and avoid content droughts. Let's say a series like X-Men '97 or Dutton Ranch is set to premiere on a streaming service. Find the total episode count and wait until all episodes are available at once on a platform. You cancel Netflix, Hulu, Disney Plus, or other services and then resubscribe once all the episodes are available to catch up. Alternatively, you can start streaming a show midseason to cut costs. 

The downside? You won't have immediate access to every show you want to watch and will have to wait until the full season airs. And since many streaming services release new episodes weekly, you might not be caught up at the same time as your friends. If you're someone who prefers to watch episodes immediately when they drop, you may decide it's worth it to have multiple subscriptions at a time. If you have patience, however, you can save some money. 

The strategy can also work if you have a live TV streaming service to watch a particular sport or major event like the Super Bowl or World Cup. Once the season wraps, cancel the service or move to a cheaper platform with fewer channels, like Sling TV. 

Need help figuring out the best way to rotate? Follow the tips below to learn how to churn your streaming subscriptions until your wallet feels content. 

Tip No. 1: Cancel your subscription before getting charged 

Set calendar reminders for your billing cycle and upcoming TV show or movie release dates. Give yourself enough warning to begin or end a subscription. Apps such as JustWatch and TV Time help you track when and where TV shows and movies appear on a streaming service. And JustWatch added a tracker specifically for sports. If you have a smart home device from Google or Amazon, you can set reminders for specific dates and allow a voice assistant like Alexa to notify you of an upcoming bill or streaming release date.

Tip No. 2: Sign up for streaming service deals

Look for discounts on streaming services. For example, Starz regularly offers months-long deals that slash its $11-per-month price. You can also take advantage of the Disney Bundle, which provides access to Disney Plus, Hulu and ESPN Plus in a single package for a reduced price. Lastly, be sure to look for student discounts and check with your mobile carrier or grocery memberships to see which ones offer free or discounted streaming subscriptions.

Tip No. 3: Pick one or two default streaming services

Subscribe to one or two must-have services for the year, and select only one or two more options to fit your monthly budget. Rotate the bonus service(s) according to what you want to watch, ensuring you don't miss your favorite shows while sticking to your monthly spending cap.

Tip No. 4: Use monthly billing only

Avoid annual subscriptions and pay attention to your auto-renewal payment dates, even if it means using a tracking app like Rocket Money. Your billing cycle can help determine when it's the best time to quit a service, even if you've only signed up for a free trial. The only advantage to signing up for an annual plan is when the price is drastically cut down.

Tip No. 5: Don't cancel your subscription, pause it

Hulu allows you to pause your subscription for up to 12 weeks, and Sling has a similar option with stipulations. Check with your streaming provider to see if you can take a temporary break without canceling.

Give it a shot, and if you don't like it, you can always resubscribe. For more excellent tips on streaming TV, check out this guide to Netflix's hidden tricks and our tips on the best VPNs.