In 2025, many popular films and television shows are exclusively offered through streaming platforms, with hundreds of competing platforms holding various media hostage behind paywalls. For students, it’s become exponentially harder both to keep up with what’s trending and to follow a budget.
The beginnings of television were much more modest. The first TV, the Baird Televisor, was introduced in the late 1920s, with its only payment being a one-time purchase of the device itself, with no extra fees or exclusive channels. But times changed, and a monthly subscription was introduced to maintain antenna systems. Then, in 1983, HBO was introduced, and the age of add-on channels and exclusive content was born.
Now, there are over 200 streaming platforms worldwide. Netflix, HBO Max, Hulu, Paramount+, AppleTV, Prime Video, Peacock, Tubi and Disney+, just to name a few. It’s a large leap from TV’s humble beginnings, and one has to wonder why content is spread across so many services.
The situation is very complex, considering shifting licensing cycles and companies moving content to control their own ad revenue and viewer data. Luckily, there are resources to lower costs, including bundles and deals available exclusively to students. Students can enjoy HBO Max at $5.49 a month, Hulu at $1.99 a month and 50% off any Paramount+ plan (for the first year). While not a total relief of financial burden, these plans greatly increase accessibility for students, 71% of whom, according to Inside Higher Ed, have experienced financial trouble while in school.
It’s a whirlwind of content, nonetheless. One tactic students on a budget use to navigate excessive choice is narrowing down which genres they value most and which platform(s) have the biggest or best catalogue of them.
Jackie Sandoval, a senior studying advertising and Spanish, subscribes to Netflix, Disney+ and Amazon’s Prime Video based on content preference.
“I like different kinds of shows, like reality and animation and romance movies,” Sandoval said. “I feel like not a lot of platforms have romance movies; Netflix took a whole bunch off, so I have to go through Amazon Prime.”
She also occasionally purchases a platform’s subscription for the duration of its limited series, such as “Love Island” or “Dancing With The Stars.”
While choosing platforms may be based on casual preference for some, other students depend on streaming for their academic success. Izzy Jurien, a senior studying cinema, subscribes to Peacock, AMC+ and Criterion. She also utilizes Kanopy, a free-for-students streaming service that offers classic cinema, documentaries, foreign films and more.
Since Jurien’s coursework requires access to specific films, often niche in nature, Kanopy became a necessary resource before her other subscriptions. But it’s not all-encompassing, and some films were just out of reach.
“In the past, when I didn’t have access to as many streaming services as I do now, I wouldn’t be able to watch a lot of movies that were required for classes, or that I needed for research on certain projects, because they were behind a paywall,” she said.
Jurien believes media is inaccessible nowadays, which drives young people away from casual movie consumption. She said, “I think film is a very, very, very important art medium, and I feel that a lot of people have lost respect for it because of how many bad movies are released in theaters. I hate how spread out films are on different platforms because I wish people had more access to important films.”
The streaming platforms that are actually “worth it” are really just the ones that align with individual taste, finances and cinephile status. Enjoy niche foreign films? Check out Kanopy or the Criterion Channel. Prefer cheesy rom-coms? Stick with Amazon Prime or Hulu. Messy dating shows? Netflix is your best bet.
Access to film and TV shouldn’t be so unattainable. Film is an essential part of our culture, and should be within reach for young people, especially. By utilizing student discounts, considering genre preference and academic needs, streaming can be a bit easier to navigate on a budget.
