How The Promise of Free TV is Being Used to Sell You Groceries & Wireless Services
By Luke Bouma, Cord Cutters News - April 29, 2025
https://cordcuttersnews.com/how-the-promise-of-free-tv-is-being-used-to-sell-you-groceries-wireless-services/
In a rapidly evolving media landscape, television is increasingly being repurposed as a promotional tool to entice consumers into subscribing to other, often more profitable services. Major companies like T-Mobile, Verizon, Walmart+, and Amazon are bundling free streaming subscriptions with their plans, signaling a shift where TV is less a standalone product and more a value-added perk to drive customer loyalty and revenue in other sectors. This trend raises critical questions about the future of television as consumers increasingly access these “free” streaming options through services they already pay for.
T-Mobile has been a pioneer in this strategy with its “Netflix On Us” campaign, offering free Netflix Standard with Ads to customers on qualifying unlimited plans. T-Mobile also offers on some older plans free Hulu (with ads) and Apple TV+, potentially saving subscribers up to $35 monthly compared to standalone subscriptions. You can even get free MLB.TV from T-Mobile.
Similarly, Verizon’s myPlan allows customers on Unlimited Welcome, Plus, or Ultimate plans to add streaming perks like the Disney Bundle (Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+), Netflix and Max (both with ads), or Walmart+ offers free Paramount+ and Paramount+ with Showtime at a steep discount.
Meanwhile, Walmart+ memberships, priced at $98 annually, now include Paramount+ Essential at no extra cost, and Amazon Prime’s $139 yearly fee comes with Prime Video, featuring originals like The Boys and Fallout. Metro by T-Mobile’s pricier plans even throw in Amazon Prime, further embedding streaming as a telecom perk.
This strategy is clear: streaming services are being used as sweeteners to attract and retain customers in competitive markets like wireless, retail, and e-commerce. ….