People mostly want cheaper streaming services, research shows

What people want out of streaming is simple: lower prices.

Hub Entertainment in their annual “How to Monetize Video” study found that “low price” is the most important thing a streaming service can offer to potential customers these days.

Garnering data based on interviews with 1,600 U.S. TV viewers who have broadband access, Hub found that low cost was the number one most valued asset for customers when it came to streaming services. Its importance grew by 12 percent in comparison to last year’s study.

Tubi — a free, ad-supported streaming service with tons of movies and shows — topped the study’s list as consumers’ most valuable streaming service. YouTube followed in second.

Hub’s findings come at a time when previous top-contenders in the streaming space have found themselves struggling: News recently broke that Disney is considering offering Disney+ content via a free, ad-supported tier to compete against Tubi and YouTube. Even Netflix is purportedly mulling over offering free trials again in certain markets.

And given how much people spend on streaming services (Media Play News reports that households spend an average $93 a month) in a world where fuel and grocery costs have increased, it seems only natural that price would become the foremost consideration for streaming consumers.

It also makes sense why more and more people are turning to piracy.

“Nearly every major streaming service has raised its prices over the past 18 months, some multiple times,” Hub states. “The most expensive plans are well over $20/month, and even the cheaper ad-supported tiers are no longer the deals they used to be.

“With streaming price increases far outpacing inflation, many households are now spending well above what they want to on streaming services. What’s the threshold for consumers in tolerating what’s worth paying for, and which services will get downgraded or cancelled?”