I would definitely cancel Netflix and Peacock in August 2026 —here's why
August is typically a quiet month in entertainment. Summer blockbusters have mostly come and gone, and fall TV hasn't arrived yet. That makes it the perfect time to take stock of which subscriptions you're actually using — and which are quietly charging your credit card every month.
A Tom's Guide survey about streaming habits revealed that our readers are spending over $60 a month on seven or more subscriptions. Streaming has become an increasingly expensive habit. Instead of treating platforms as permanent, it's often smarter to rotate them based on what's worth watching each month. You'll save money without coming close to running out of great shows and movies.
For August 2026, the two easiest services to hit pause on are Netflix and Peacock. Both have a handful of worthwhile titles, but neither offers enough must-watch programming to justify paying for another month. Here's why they're the best streaming services to cancel right now.
Why I'd cancel Netflix
Netflix is probably the most controversial pick on this month's list. In our survey, it was the streaming service people were least willing to cancel, easily beating every other platform. And it's not hard to see why: Netflix still has the biggest library, the most original programming and the broadest appeal.
But popularity doesn't automatically make it worth paying for every single month. Netflix is also one of the most expensive mainstream streaming services, especially if you want an ad-free plan, and August's lineup doesn't do enough to justify the cost.
The biggest title on deck is the return of "Outer Banks" for its fifth and final season on Aug. 20. The teen adventure mystery series picks up with the Pogues reeling from JJ's death and still chasing the Blue Crown in a desperate bid for revenge.
But let's be honest, "Outer Banks" is not everybody's vibe. And even if it is, season 5 drops late enough into the month that you could just practice a bit of patience and wait a couple of weeks to re-up Netflix.
The other most noteworthy releases are two original movies. "The Last House," arriving Aug. 7, is a sci-fi thriller with Greta Lee and Wagner Moura about a family trapped in a house by a mysterious force that won't let them out. Then, on Aug. 28, there's "The Whisper Man," a crime drama starring Robert De Niro, Adam Scott and Michelle Monaghan. When a crime novelist's son is kidnapped, he must turn to his estranged father, a retired police detective, for help.
Both movies look interesting, and I'll probably watch them — but I also don't need to right away. Neither seems like it would induce FOMO; it would be easy to wait until September and save a bit of money.
Why I'd cancel Peacock
Peacock had a surprisingly strong run earlier this summer thanks to two huge draws: the FIFA World Cup and another addictive season of "Love Island USA." But now that both have wrapped up, the service has lost momentum. While Peacock still has a solid back catalog and a few new arrivals in August, there's simply not enough fresh, must-watch programming to make the monthly fee worth it.
In fact, the only title that really stands out is the "Love Island USA" season 8 reunion ... and it doesn't even drop until literally the last day of the month, Aug. 31.
Peacock will be much more relevant in September, when fall TV brings back next-day episodes of NBC shows like "The Voice" and "The Traitors: New Blood" and Bravo shows like "The Real Housewives of New York." So, cancel now, then come back for your must-see favorites.
How much you'll save by canceling Netflix and Peacock
Canceling Netflix and Peacock for August can free up a meaningful chunk of your monthly entertainment budget, especially if you've been paying for both without getting much use out of them.
Netflix's Standard with Ads plan costs $8.99 per month, while the Standard ad-free plan is $19.99 and the Premium tier is $26.99. Peacock Premium with ads costs $10.99 per month, while Peacock Premium Plus is $16.99 per month.
That means pausing both services could save anywhere from about $19 to $42 each month, depending on which plans you have. It's an easy way to cut back without giving up streaming altogether, particularly if you rotate to another service with a stronger lineup this month. Over the course of a year, making subscription swaps like this whenever a platform hits a lull can add up to hundreds of dollars in savings.
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