Podcast #1238: Free Streaming Perks

On today's show we go through the top streamers and how you can get their services for free or reduced price. We also read your emails and take a look at the week's news. News: YouTube TV launching new plans, better multiview in 2026 Free TV startup Telly only had 35,000 units in people's homes last fall Netflix added nearly half a million subs thanks to NFL games UFC Defends Ad-Heavy Paramount+ Debut Free Streaming Perks With the cost of streaming constantly going up the HT Guys are here to try and save you money. Almost all streamers offer some sort of discount via perks through Credit Cards, Cable and TV Providers, or Mobile Phone plans. On today's show we go through the top streamers and how you can get their services for free or reduced price.  Neflix T-Mobile: Netflix on Us is included with many of their higher-tier unlimited plans. It provides Netflix Standard with Ads for free.  Other carriers occasionally bundle it, but T-Mobile is currently the most consistent and prominent in the US. Xfinity (Comcast): Adding their "StreamSaver" bundle ($15/mo) includes Netflix Standard with Ads alongside Peacock Premium with ads and Apple TV+.   Similar occasional perks appear with Spectrum, Verizon Fios, or others during promotions, but they're not guaranteed long-term. Peacock Instacart+ If you subscribe to Instacart+ about $99/year, you can get Peacock Premium included at no extra cost. Xfinity Internet customers on Gigabit or higher plans can get up to 2 years of Peacock Premium free. Xfinity NOW TV streaming service subscribers get Peacock Premium included. Xfinity Rewards members (especially higher tiers like Diamond/Platinum) can claim Peacock Premium as a perk at no extra cost. Walmart+ membership often bundles Peacock Premium for free as part of the subscription benefits. Promotional deals or bundles — These pop up from time to time, and can save money. Student/Young Adult discounts — heavily reduced  about $5.99/month for students via verification or young adult offers. AppleTV+ When you buy a new iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple TV 4K, you get 3 months of Apple TV+ free.  Apple One bundle trial — Plans start around $19.95/month (Individual) after the trial, making Apple TV+ effectively part of a discounted bundle compared to subscribing separately. T-Mobile (US) — With qualifying Magenta or Magenta MAX plans, you can get Apple TV+ included at no extra cost. Some carriers (like Verizon or others in the past) have occasionally bundled Apple TV+ free or discounted with phone plans, but T-Mobile is the most consistent.  Peacock + Apple TV+ bundle — In some regions, you can bundle Apple TV+ with Peacock for around $14.99/month (saving over 30% compared to separate subscriptions).  Paramount+ Walmart+ subscribers ($12.95/month or $98/year) get Paramount+ Essential (the ad-supported plan) included at no extra cost. You can choose between Paramount+ Essential or Peacock Premium (with ads) as a streaming benefit.  DirecTV (top-tier/Ultimate packages) may offer complimentary Paramount+. Other providers like Hulu (as a Paramount+ with SHOWTIME add-on) sometimes have free trials or bundled access for eligible subscribers. Verified U.S. military members get 50% off any plan for life (via SheerID verification). This is a permanent discount. Teachers Discount — Teachers may get 50% off any plan. Hulu Eligible U.S. service members, veterans, and families can get 25% off Hulu (With Ads) through The Exchange (shopmyexchange.com).  Select T-Mobile plans include ad-supported Hulu for free. Some plans also bundle Netflix or other services. This can make Hulu effectively $0 if you already have or switch to a qualifying plan. Occasional promotions  from American Express Platinum and some other credit cards may offer free access to Hulu, Disney+, or HBO/Max bundles, but these are niche and time-limited. Bundles for Disney+, ESPN+ and Hulu start around $9.99–$12.99/mo  can save from $5 to $15 when compared to separate subscriptions.  ESPN+ Verizon: Select Unlimited 5G plans include the Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN Bundle (often Disney+ Premium, Hulu with ads, and ESPN Select with ads) at no extra charge. T-Mobile: Offers Hulu "ON US" with select plans, but ESPN+ inclusion is less direct—some bundles or promotions tie in Disney/Hulu/ESPN elements. It's more Hulu-focused, but check T-Mobile's streaming perks for any ESPN-related deals. Other carriers like AT&T may have occasional streaming bundles—verify your plan. Provider-included access: If you have cable/satellite/streaming TV services like DIRECTV, Fubo, Hulu + Live TV, Spectrum, Verizon FiOS, Cox, etc., you may get ESPN Unlimited or Select access included. Disney+ | Hulu Bundle - see above Disney+ Verizon: Several eligible Unlimited mobile plans (or certain home internet plans) include the Disney Bundle for free or at no extra cost. Disney+ | Hulu Bundle - see above Some cards (e.g., American Express Blue Cash Everyday) offer statement credits toward Disney+/Hulu (up to $7/month or similar). HBO Max If you have HBO through a cable/satellite package like DirecTV, or select plans from providers like Spectrum, internet service, or a wireless plan, you may get Max access at no extra cost. Sign in via the Max app with your provider credentials. Some older AT&T Unlimited plans or specific bundles still include it. Certain mobile carriers or services bundle Max for free or as part of a higher-tier plan. Examples include occasional Verizon or AT&T promotions (though many shifted to Disney bundles). Check your carrier's perks section—some offer limited-time free months.