Cut Streaming Costs: A Guide to Canceling Subscriptions in 2026

Many people are reassessing their expenses in the new year, and streaming services are a prime target for savings. What once promised affordability has become almost as expensive as traditional cable, with constant price hikes and overlapping subscriptions. Data from Park Associates shows the average subscriber spends $109 per month on six services —a significant chunk of many budgets.

The rise in streaming costs is driven by competition for exclusive content, increasing production expenses, and the industry’s push for profitability. This forces consumers to make hard choices about which services to keep.

If you’re ready to trim your bills, here’s how to cancel some of the biggest streaming providers. The process isn’t always simple, but the savings can be substantial.

Finding and Managing Subscriptions

The first step is identifying all your active subscriptions. Many people forget about services billed through third-party platforms like Amazon, Apple, or their cable provider. Check your account settings on these platforms to uncover hidden charges.

Decluttering digital subscriptions isn’t always straightforward. Some services require multiple steps, while others bury cancellation options deep within menus. Third-party apps can help manage subscriptions, but direct cancellation through the provider is most reliable.

Canceling Major Streaming Services

Here’s a breakdown of how to cancel popular services:

Netflix

Netflix makes cancellation simple:

1. Sign in to your account.
2. Go to the “Manage Membership” page.
3. Select “Cancel.”
4. Confirm cancellation.

You’ll retain access until the end of your billing cycle.

Amazon Prime Video

Canceling Prime Video depends on how you subscribed:

1. Open Amazon and go to “Account & Settings.”
2. Select “Your Account.”
3. Choose “End Subscription” to cancel Prime Video specifically.

You can also cancel Amazon Prime entirely but keep Prime Video if desired.

Disney Plus

Disney Plus offers individual subscriptions or bundles with Hulu and ESPN+. To cancel:

1. Log in to the Disney Plus website.
2. Select “Profile” then “Account.”
3. Choose your Disney Plus Subscription under “Subscription.”
4. Select “Cancel Subscription.”

Disney doesn’t offer refunds for mid-billing-cycle cancellations.

Apple TV

Canceling Apple TV is straightforward:

1. Navigate to the Apple TV website.
2. Sign in and select the “Account” icon.
3. Select “Settings.”
4. Scroll to “Subscriptions” and choose “Manage.”
5. Select “Cancel Subscription.”

HBO Max (Max)

HBO Max’s cancellation process is similar:

1. Open HBO Max via the app or website.
2. Choose your “Profile” then “Subscription.”
3. Scroll to the bottom and select “Cancel Subscription.”
4. Confirm cancellation.

You may receive a prorated refund for any unused time on add-ons.

Paramount Plus

Canceling Paramount Plus requires a few steps:

1. Log in to the Paramount Plus website.
2. Navigate to your “Account Page.”
3. Select “Cancel Subscription.”
4. Follow the prompts to finish canceling.

You’ll retain access until the end of your billing period.

Peacock

Peacock is relatively easy to cancel:

1. Log in to the Peacock website.
2. Select “Plans & Payments.”
3. Choose “Cancel Plan.”
4. Confirm cancellation.

Peacock offers limited free programming even after canceling premium tiers.

Ultimately, cutting unnecessary streaming services can free up significant cash. The key is to regularly review your subscriptions and cancel those you don’t actively use. Given the industry’s trend toward higher prices, consumers must be proactive to avoid overspending on entertainment.