Friday, December 26, 2025

More Skinny Streaming Bundles Coming In 2026


Streaming platforms are increasingly offering budget-friendly bundles to combat rising costs, subscription fatigue, and churn. These packages target niche audiences—such as anime fans, arthouse cinephiles, sports enthusiasts, or LGBTQ+ viewers—by combining mainstream services with specialized ones. Bundles often include ad-supported tiers, saving users 30-50% compared to separate subscriptions, and focus on value for underserved interests.

Major Bundles for Niche Audiences
  • Disney+, Hulu, and Max (formerly HBO Max) Bundle — $19.99/month with ads ($32.99 ad-free). Appeals to superhero, drama, and documentary fans with Marvel/DC, FX originals, HBO prestige series, and National Geographic. Savings: ~42% vs. individual plans.
  • Apple TV+ and Peacock Bundle — Starts at $14.99/month (with ads on Peacock; $19.99 ad-free). Ideal for sci-fi enthusiasts (Apple's Severance, Silo) and reality/sports viewers (Peacock's The Office, Real Housewives, NFL/Premier League). Launched in October 2025, it saves over 30%.
  • Xfinity StreamSaver — $15/month (rising to $18 in late December) for Xfinity subscribers. Includes Netflix (with ads), Apple TV+, and Peacock. Targets binge-watchers of post-apocalyptic shows, comedies, and gaming tie-ins. Saves ~40% vs. separate subscriptions.
  • Crunchyroll Premium — From $7.99/month (Fan tier) to $15.99 (Ultimate). Anime-focused, with ad-free viewing, offline downloads, and game access in higher tiers. Annual deals (e.g., $20 off Mega Fan) make it budget-friendly for otaku audiences.

Emerging Niche Options

Lower-cost add-ons or standalone services often integrate into broader bundles (e.g., via Prime Video):
  • Mubi — $14.99/month for curated arthouse and international films; appeals to cinephiles.
  • WOW Presents Plus — $5.99/month for drag and LGBTQ+ content like RuPaul's Drag Race.
  • Shout! Factory TV — Premium at $3.99/month for cult classics and B-movies.
  • MagellanTV — $5.99/month for documentaries.Industry Trends Driving BundlesRising standalone prices (e.g., Netflix, Disney+) and consumer demand for affordability push bundling. Ad-supported options keep entry low ($10-20/month), while carriers like Xfinity and Walmart+ add perks. 
Expect more mergers and sports-focused packages in 2026.