See you soon, Netflix: 5 alternatives to not pay a single dollar

With inflation and the rise of paid streaming services, free options become an attractive option.

What had been growing at a steady pace, with the arrival of the pandemic, was strongly enhanced. These are streaming platforms, which have grown both in and in the rest of the world:  between May 2021 and May 2022, their use increased by more than 21% , according to Nielsen. 

This growth allowed streaming to capture an additional 5.6 share points compared to the previous period: thus, it represented almost 32% of total television time in May 2022, compared to 26% a year ago.

But all good things come to an end at some point. Netflix announced that, as of November 10, it will include ads in its basic package, for 5.99 euros . And Disney + will go, in the near future, on the same path.

This means that offers without ads will have higher prices: that is, streaming platforms will look more and more like linear TV, with the addition of too high a price if the user wants to be aware of all the premieres.

This being the case, and with inflation that reduces the money that households can have for leisure, many people consider cutting their expenses in this regard.

And here is where the different free options appear, which are financed exclusively through advertising. Although, of course, they do not have premieres such as “The House of the Dragon”, “Stranger Things”, “The Lord of the Rings: the rings of power” or “Andor”. 

Here are the five options to stop paying for Netflix and the rest of the paid streaming platforms:

RTVE PLAY

This is the free platform of the state channel RTVE that, in addition to offering the possibility of viewing the programming broadcast on the different TV channels -such as ” Masterchef Celebrity “, ” Servir y proteger “, ” La gran confusión “-, It includes in its catalog highly successful Spanish and international series that can also be found on pay sites.

Entre las importantes series que se pueden encontrar en RTVE PLAY están “Call my agent”, “Parlamento”, “Sherlock”, “Top of the lake”, “This is us”, “El colapso”, “Downton Abbey”, entre varias. 

The offer of documentaries also stands out, as well as that of European cinema and, of course, specifically Spanish. 

PLUTO TV

It is a streaming service that works under the logic of television channels -such as cable TV . There is typical small screen programming such as travel, wildlife, cooking, reality shows, as well as movie channels dedicated to action, comedy and drama.

There are also channels dedicated to classic series and programs from all times, with a linear logic.

But, in addition, it has content on demand that can be seen whenever the user wants, with advertisements and always in Spanish. It is one of the favorites for its ease of use and because prior registration is not required.

ATRESPLAYER

The Atresmedia streaming service began operating three years ago as a Premium service that offers quality series and programs of its own production. Some of these examples are “The Gypsy Bride” and “Queens to the Rescue“.

But there is also Atresplayer, a free online video platform where you can watch programs, sports, and exclusive series from the group’s channels, such as Antena 3, La Sexta, Neox, Nova, Mega, and Atreseries.

EFILM

It is a movie and documentary rental service  that can be accessed if the user is a member of a public library. Its main provider is Filmin , but the catalog it offers is limited.

Specifically, it has more than 12,000 titles: there are classic series such as “Fortunata y Jacinta“, “La Regenta” and “La barraca“, and current series such as “Sherlock” and “Harlots: courtesans“, as well as films (more than nothing of the independent cinema), courses (of English), games and magazines.

RUNTIME

This is a novelty, since it  arrived in Spain in September . It is a free digital platform that makes available an offer of free movies and series.

It has seven different channels of commercial cinema, with great titles of action, comedy, romance, crime, “thriller-terror” and classics, although they never premiere but they do include cult films.

It also has three series channels, including two loop channels, which are dedicated to two cult Spanish series, “Curro Jiménez” and “Ana y los 7“. Also, in the catalog are available, at the moment: “Disappeared“, “Archangel“, “Luisa Spagnoli“, “XIII The Conspiracy“, “Cursed King” and “The Truckers“.