When a new entertainment medium initially hits the market,
the cost is usually higher than whatever the status quo happens to be: an
album’s worth of legally-obtained mp3s used to cost more than a physical CD, e-books
were pricey extras that had to be read on your computer, and video streaming of
any kind was expensive and, in many cases, unreliable.
Obviously, all of that has changed in recent years, and the
ascension of the digital realm shows no signs of stopping. In addition to its convenience
and instant accessibility, many people are discovering that digital media can actually
be cheaper than buying something in a store. If you’re looking to explore this
new world of content with a tablet, smartphone, Roku player, Google Chromecast,
or any of the multitude of streaming devices, here are 3 ways that buying
digitally can save you money:
Digital Seasons Of Cable-Based Dramas Are Much Cheaper Than
Buying Them On Disc
These days, there’s no shortage of premium television on
offer from the cable networks: shows like Breaking Bad, The Walking Dead,
Justified, and countless others are constantly pushing the envelope of what
serial dramas are capable of. In addition to having a darker, more adult tone
than broadcast dramas, cable shows are frequently shorter than their more
mainstream counterparts—a typical CBS drama will have a yearly total of 22-26
episodes, whereas a cable drama will produce somewhere around 13. However, if
you’re looking to buy a season of cable drama on DVD or Blu-ray, you’ll find
that the in-store price is usually comparable to the shows that have double the
episodes per disk, not giving you a price break for something that is only half
as long.
Buying the same season digitally and streaming it through
Amazon, Google Play, iTunes, or several other outlets will give you a direct
savings per episode. At $1.99 a piece for standard-quality television episodes
on Amazon, a 13-episode run will only set you back $26—even less when there’s a
season pass on offer. Compared to the $39.99 and up that you’ll pay in a store,
digital is clearly the way to go.
Digital Comics Are Often Half The Price Of Hardcopies
With several blockbuster movies being made every summer that
are based on a comic book script, the medium is starting to see a resurgence in
mainstream popularity. Combining this new interest with the crisp, HD screens
of modern tablets has led to the rise of the digital comic, making countless
series and back issues instantly available at your fingertips. In addition to
this massive library of offerings, back issues typically sell for $1.99
each—half the cost of picking up a current issue from your neighborhood comic
store.
E-books Of New Releases Are Always Cheaper Than Hardcovers
Because of the relatively cheap cost of paperback printings
(as well as a significant portion of the public still enjoying the act of
buying a book in a store), trade paperbacks are usually competitively priced
with their digital counterparts. However, one area where e-books are clearly
the cost-effective option is with new releases of popular novels. A hardcover
edition will typically set you back at least $19.99, with many books weighing
in at $24.95 and beyond. E-books of recent releases are typically under a time-sensitive
price markup that pushes them beyond their final price of $8-10, but even a
day-one purchase will only set you back $14.99 or so. Also, this practice isn’t
undertaken by every publisher—many books will have a $9.99 or less digital
version available while their hardcover editions grace the shelves of a Barnes
& Noble “What’s New” section.
In addition to its cost effectiveness, digital media is easy
to replace or re-download, can be accessed from a variety of devices, and
doesn’t need to be physically stored in a home or moved with your other
belongings. There will always be a place for collectors who wish to have a
physical, tangible product in their hands. But if you’re looking to save some
money while still getting access to great works of art and entertainment,
digital media will help you build your library on the cheap.
Author bio:
John is a blogger who still loves going to the bookstore, although he buys at least half of his books digitally now. He writes for protectyourbubble.com, an Internet insurer of smartphones, tablets, PCs, and every other gadget that will let you access the expansive world of digital media.
