'I'm a tech expert - I'd take these three steps to save on Netflix and Amazon'

Netflix users have been left furious after it was revealed that certain content is now blocked for those using the ad-supported subscription in the US

Netflix has faced intense backlash from subscribers who have branded the company "greedy" after US users of the ad-supported tier found they were unable to stream certain TV series and films.

Many discovered that about 150 titles such as 'House of Cards', 'Peaky Blinders', and 'Spy Kids: Mission Critical' were inaccessible. This issue prompted an outpouring of frustration on Reddit, with subscribers expressing their displeasure upon noticing a lock icon beside the content they wished to view.

Subscribers were informed that these shows would be available if they upgraded to an ad-free plan costing £10.99, as opposed to the standard plan at £4.99, which comes with adverts. Following the furore, Netflix explained that some content is restricted for ad-supporting subscriptions due to intricate licensing arrangements.

As a result, a number of subscribers are contemplating ways to curb their streaming expenses without sacrificing access to their preferred series and movies, reports the Express.

In light of this furore, Nick Drewe, retail expert and founder of discount platform Wethrift, has kindly offered his savvy savings tips to help households cut down on streaming spend while still savouring the entertainment they love.

Nick's first piece of advice is to fully exploit the offerings of each streaming service, highlighting Amazon Prime as an example that provides much more than just TV and film, including perks like free one-day delivery, e-books, Amazon Fresh, and same-day grocery delivery.

"So if you are paying the Prime subscription price, it is important to make use of all of its services, not just one or two," Nick explained.

"Take a look at the channels and services you are regularly consuming content from and ask yourself, 'Do I need to pay for all of these TV and film streaming services at the same time? '" Nick suggests. "If the answer is no, Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Disney+ all allow you to cancel a monthly plan without an exit fee."

"Therefore, if there is a particular program being launched that you know you will be bingeing, it's perfectly feasible to cancel the other platforms you won't use as much and continue alternating the platforms you pay for in order to save some money."

Additionally, Nick advises viewers to consider downgrading their plans where possible, such as with Netflix which offers various subscriptions; for a sole user, the most economical option might be the best choice.

Nick also shares another cost-saving tip: opting for annual payments on subscriptions can often be less expensive than monthly payments. "It's often cheaper to pay for a subscription annually rather than monthly."

"So, if you're confident that you'll use the service regularly, it may be worth paying the upfront cost to save money in the long term. With many subscriptions, companies are looking to tie you in for the year, so the monthly cost will usually work out more after paying it over twelve months."

Nick's final piece of advice is to ensure you cancel any services you're not utilising, as he points out: "Finally, cancel anything that you don't use. If you have several bank accounts with small outgoings of subscription fees, you can use an app like Money Dashboard to see an overview of your outgoings and spot subscriptions that you may not want or need anymore."

He also reminds us: "Remember, there is always a free alternative too. The likes of All4, ITV Hub, and My5 give you some great box sets free of charge, although you can pay to view them without adverts."