Skip to main content

The context you need, when you need it

When news breaks, you need to understand what actually matters — and what to do about it. At Vox, our mission to help you make sense of the world has never been more vital. But we can’t do it on our own.

We rely on readers like you to fund our journalism. Will you support our work and become a Vox Member today?

Join now

Streaming got expensive. Now what?

Why we’re all paying so much more for streaming, and what we can do about it.

Edward Vega
Edward Vega joined the Vox video team as a video producer in 2021. His coverage focused on all things cinema, from the intricacies of film history to the nuts and bolts of filmmaking.

When streaming first came onto the scene, it seemingly came with a promise: the movies and TV that you love, without ads, for a much lower price than cable.

Less than 20 years down the line, it feels like that promise has been broken. Streaming is more expensive than ever, and prices just keep going up. Password sharing has been cracked down on, forcing more of us to pay to stream. The content we love is more-often-than-not fragmented across many different streaming services. And in the backdrop of all that, advertising is back with a vengeance, thanks to the rise of the cheaper ad-supported subscription tiers.

As a consumer, this feels infuriating. But we’re not entirely at the whim of these companies.

So why is all this happening? And what can we do to not go broke while still enjoying our favorite shows?

Check out Vox Video’s latest to find out.

You can find this video and all of Vox’s videos on YouTube.

More in Video

Video
Why Americans can’t escape credit card debtWhy Americans can’t escape credit card debt
Play
Video

Credit card APRs are now as high as 20 percent.

By Frank Posillico
Video
Why some couples are happier living apartWhy some couples are happier living apart
Play
Video

This growing relationship trend might change the way you think about living with your romantic partner.

By Gina Pollack
Video
The strange myth behind carrots and night visionThe strange myth behind carrots and night vision
Play
Video

How we fell for World War II propaganda.

By Nate Krieger
Video
Are team sports the secret to living longer?Are team sports the secret to living longer?
Play
Video

How a basketball league for “grannies” is reimagining aging.

By Benjamin Stephen
Video
How Georgia manufactured the Peach State mythHow Georgia manufactured the Peach State myth
Play
Video

It was never really about the fruit.

By Frank Posillico
Video
How smart design can benefit senior livingHow smart design can benefit senior living
Play
Video

And why it matters for retirement communities.

By Lindsey Sitz