Report uncovers growing ‘binge and bolt’ trend as streaming subscribers frustrated with rising costs

A new survey from LendingTree of 2,000 U.S. consumers reveals a rising tide of dissatisfaction with streaming services, as 72% of subscribers think they pay too much.

Cutting cords and cutting back: While most Americans still pay for at least one streamer, nearly a third of subscribers say they’ve cut back and another third are considering it. The main reason is price. Some platforms continue raising monthly fees, and the report found that nearly 35% of subscribers have tried to negotiate for a better deal—two-thirds of whom were successful.

Beyond cost: The frustration goes beyond cost. Consumers increasingly “binge and bolt,” signing up for a single show or sporting event and then canceling. More than half of those surveyed have subscribed to watch one piece of content, and 72% of them canceled shortly after.

• Many do this to catch specific programming, such as the Olympics, which 30% of Americans plan to stream next year.
• At the same time, a quarter of subscribers say they’re paying for at least one service they no longer watch, driving growth in subscription management apps and services.
• Meanwhile, password sharing persists, with a third of Americans using someone else’s account, and the vast majority see nothing wrong with it – a practice increasingly at odds with recent crackdowns by major platforms.

Sports lock-ins: More than half of consumers argue it’s unfair for a single streaming platform to lock up exclusive broadcast rights. Yet over 40% say they’d be more likely to watch their favorite sport if games were more widely streamable—a sign that, whether they love it or hate it, fans are willing to follow their teams wherever the games are shown.

Looking ahead: The study points to strategies for adapting rather than abandoning streaming altogether. Many consumers find success negotiating with providers or bundling multiple services at a lower combined rate. Others rely on perks from rewards credit cards to offset monthly fees.