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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To worry about not being able to afford streaming services

27 replies

puppuppup2022 · 31/05/2022 08:41

I have three young daughters (youngest two are twins) who are 7 and 4. They all really enjoy tv and watching kids programmes. Like a lot of people we struggle a lot financially and I just can't afford to pay for Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney etc. so at the moment they just watch CBeebies, milkshake on Channel 5, family films on the BBC when they're on and I pick them up kids dvds in charity shops. We also have a really old tv so I don't think it would have the physical capability of streaming. This might sound odd but I panicked a bit the other day when I heard that they're axing CBBC in 3 years time because they (especially my eldest) will be in the CBBC age range then and there won't be anything for them to watch. I do other things with them (like playing games, baking, going walks etc.) so it's not that I just want them to watch tv all day but they really do enjoy watching tv and I just don't want them to lose that activity. We have the internet (which we use on the computer) but it's very slow and I don't have any tablets/smartphones for them to watch things on so it would just need to be on the tv. I know with everything going on at the moment this shouldn't be a worry but I just wondered if anyone else felt similar and also if anyone had any ideas on what is a good alternative to cbbc for kids that age. Thank you

OP posts:
artisanbread · 31/05/2022 08:43

I think there will be push-back on CBBC but even if it does go off TV, it will still be available online.

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 31/05/2022 08:44

Worry about it in 3 years time when it actually happens. Your kids will be different people by then and there will probably be all sorts of alternatives.

artisanbread · 31/05/2022 08:44

Sorry, just re-read about your internet connection.

Mrsjayy · 31/05/2022 08:45

I think letting them watch a dvd is fine if you have a device they can watch cbeebies online I think thats where it is heading. Children honestly survived without Netflix in the "olden days "

Mrsjayy · 31/05/2022 08:47

I see you don't have a good connection or devices except your PC sorry I missed that.

Potatomashed · 31/05/2022 08:54

People pay for streaming? I’m one of the many using someone else’s login (family member with their blessing!) 😂

Original poster
puppuppup2022 · 31/05/2022 08:59

@MrsPelligrinoPetrichor I know it seems silly to worry about something so far away but I just worry that any alternatives that do come along will also be online and that you will need a smart device for them. I suppose I worry about my children being more left out as they get older

OP posts:
Thatswhyimacat · 31/05/2022 08:59

@Potatomashed well good for you but obviously your family member is paying for it?

becausetrampslikeus · 31/05/2022 09:03

Write to the bbc and your MP

CBBC is good quality educational TV for young children and poor families in particular should not be excluded because they can't afford high speed broadband

Hope your circumstances pick up for you but there will be plenty others in the same position

riesenrad · 31/05/2022 09:05

I wouldn't worry, it still might not happen, and your finances may be good enough to afford a streaming service and/or better internet by then. And life is moving onto smartphones, you probably will need one (eg some car parks only let you pay by app).

By the way, my mum was with Talktalk and her internet connection was awful. They switched to Plusnet and it's fine now, perfectly good enough for streaming and that's with the same cables etc, so maybe think about changing provider - you may well get a cheaper deal too (she lives in a village so not a well connected town).

riesenrad · 31/05/2022 09:05

Potatomashed · 31/05/2022 08:54

People pay for streaming? I’m one of the many using someone else’s login (family member with their blessing!) 😂

I think Netflix is putting an end to being able to do that?

SlashBeef · 31/05/2022 09:09

Potatomashed · 31/05/2022 08:54

People pay for streaming? I’m one of the many using someone else’s login (family member with their blessing!) 😂

Well duh. Someone has to pay for the freeloaders

ENoeuf · 31/05/2022 09:14

Ah op I get you, its expensive and difficult when your internet is slow anyway. Could you pick up a cheap DVD player, dvds are so cheap now in charity shops and online? That would be my back up plan.

malmi · 31/05/2022 09:18

You say your TV is old but as long as it has an HDMI input available then you could buy a £30 Roku stick and start using all the free streaming services, e.g. BBC iPlayer, ITV hub, YouTube, etc. No need to pay for Netflix / Disney Kids as there is plenty of content available for free. I'm sure your internet will work with it even if it's slow, it's not like you're still on dial-up.

Original poster
puppuppup2022 · 31/05/2022 09:39

@ENoeuf Thank you. Yes that's what I've been doing. I've found some great DVDs for them in charity shops, some are quite old programmes but I think they'll still enjoy them

OP posts:
KermitlovesKeyLimePie · 31/05/2022 09:43

With any luck the TV licence will be scrapped by then and you can use that money to pay for the services you actually want.

MountainClimber22 · 31/05/2022 09:43

My son grew up with freeview and he is fine. I only got the Internet installed when he was 9 or 10.

GladAllOver · 31/05/2022 09:44

They can manage without constant streaming TV. We used to manage without it and got to do more constructive and physically active things.

Danikm151 · 31/05/2022 09:53

There are social tariffs available on broadband now. It's acknowledged that the internet is deemed essential in this day and age.
I just signed up for high speed broadband for £20 through BT as I get UC- otherwise it would have been £35.

In terms of devices, there are adapters you can get to convert a connection to HDMI. A fire stick can be picked up for a cheap price online.

It is horrible that they're intending to make CBBC less accessible but the plan is to expand what is made available on bbc iplayer to get better value for money for your tv licence.

Even phone lines are going digital now. Personally, I pay for Prime, this gets ebooks,music and kids tv for £8 per month so does present better value compared to netflix.

Have you checked you are claiming all the benefits/ entitlements/ discounts you are eligible for. Some people are surprised when they are eligible for UC.

Charles11 · 31/05/2022 09:55

You might be in a different financial position in 3 yrs time or able to get an upgraded tv for cheap or even free. Don't worry about it now.

larkstar · 31/05/2022 10:03

Just type speedtest in google - test your download and upload speed - note the figures then talk to your ISP and complain. They can also reset your line and this sometime improves the speed of your internet connection.

Turning off your router for a good 10 mins and rebooting can help.

Who is your ISP? If you are still on ADSL (copper) you will probably find that switching to fibre (Fibre To The Cabinet) is actually cheaper or as cheap and a lot faster.

Screen time is not all bad - we all need it - but there are plenty of other things that can engage and occupy your kids in different ways - you just have to experiment to find out what those things are as kids are all so different - I found the simplest things are the most interesting - open ended building block sets - not just the built it once type, paints, colouring pencils and paper, a pack of playing cards, a jigsaw, marbles, clothes to dress up in -for outside - coloured chalk for drawing, a skipping rope, a ball, a bike - I'm sure you get the idea - things where instead of passively watching something and waiting for their brain to be stimulated - something where they have to use their brain - like playing a card game or a board game - or where they have to be physically active - really I wouldn't worry too much about feeling you have to give them access to screens or streaming services.

Original poster
puppuppup2022 · 31/05/2022 10:33

@riesenrad Thank you. I am with plusnet too- a lot of people where I live complain about there internet being slow though so I wondered if it was more to do with the area- it does appear to be cheaper than other providers though. I would really like a smart phone but can't really afford one- I get that things are more geared towards smart phones nowadays but I can't drive and don't get to go to restaurants really (to view menus or order online) so I suppose I don't notice them becoming more necessary in life

OP posts:
Original poster
puppuppup2022 · 31/05/2022 10:35

@larkstar Yes I definitely agree about there being other things to engage kids. I do try and do a lot with my children (especially free things like activities at the library) and my eldest is able to do to some free after school activities so I don't feel they're missing out too much in that respect. I suppose I just didn't want them to feel left out as they get older if they don't have all these services where they can watch a bigger variety of programmes and films

OP posts:
Original poster
puppuppup2022 · 31/05/2022 10:39

@Danikm151 Thank you. Yes I do receive UC. I have a friend with a fire stick who let me borrow it and I tried to put it into the place where the DVD player goes but she said it wasn't compatible. I thought it would've let me see what's on BBC Iplayer

OP posts:
RedSoloCup · 31/05/2022 10:46

I recently got 6 months Disney+ for £8 of clubcard vouchers.

That said id avoid it as long as you can as once you start the kids expect to have these things. I barely ever watch Netflix but there would be uproar here if I cancelled it (teenagers), obviously I would if I couldn't afford it though.