Heading south for two or three months is great. Paying full price for streaming services at your Minnesota home while you watch different content on your Arizona TV is not. Here's how to pause or manage each major service before you leave.
Services You Should Keep Active
Some services travel with you seamlessly — your account works anywhere. Keep these active:
- Netflix: Works anywhere in the US with no change needed. Keep it.
- Hulu: Same — works everywhere. Keep it.
- Disney+: Works anywhere. Keep it.
- Amazon Prime Video: Included with Prime. No reason to pause.
- Apple TV+: Works everywhere. Keep it.
Services to Review Before You Leave
YouTube TV / Hulu + Live TV / FuboTV (live TV services): These services deliver local channels based on your home zip code. When you travel to another state, you may get that market's local channels instead of Minnesota's — or none at all. If local news from the Twin Cities matters to you, check whether your service supports a "Home Area" setting, which some services allow you to update during your travels.
Cable TV at your Minnesota home: If you have cable, call your provider and ask about a seasonal hold. Most major providers including Xfinity/Comcast offer this — you pay a small reduced fee ($10–20/month) to suspend full service and resume it when you return. This is often a much better option than canceling and restarting.
How to Pause Netflix
Netflix doesn't have a traditional pause feature, but you can cancel and restart with no penalty. Your viewing history and lists are saved. Go to netflix.com → Account → Cancel Membership. You can restart anytime and pick up exactly where you left off.
How to Pause Hulu
Hulu offers a pause feature: hulu.com → Account → Pause Membership. You can pause for up to 12 weeks. Your shows and settings are saved.
How to Find Hidden Subscriptions
Before you leave, take 15 minutes to find every streaming charge on your accounts:
- iPhone: Settings → [your name] → Subscriptions — shows all App Store and Apple subscriptions
- Android: Google Play app → Profile icon → Payments & Subscriptions → Subscriptions
- Amazon: amazon.com → Account → Prime Video Channels — look for any add-on channels like Starz, Showtime, Paramount+
- Credit card statement: Search for "Netflix," "Hulu," "Disney," "HBO," "Spotify," "Peacock," "Paramount" in your last 90 days of charges
Most people find at least one subscription they forgot about during this exercise.
Ready for Some Help?
I come to your home in Maple Grove, Plymouth, Champlin, Brooklyn Park, and surrounding northwest Twin Cities suburbs — and I won't leave until things are working and you feel confident using them.
Call or text: (763) 250-1227 · Mon–Fri 9am–4pm · Sat 9am–1pm