Stream It Or Skip It: ‘Rivals’ Season 2 On Hulu, Where Tony And Rupert Step Up The Blackmail In The ‘80s UK Independent TV Wars

Another highly anticipated show like *Rivals* Season 2, featuring a stellar cast including David Tennant and Aidan Turner, is a great sign for streaming quality, but it's also a potential red flag for your wallet. High-profile adaptations like this signal that the platform (Hulu, in this case) is heavily investing in premium, binge-worthy content. While the show itself sounds captivating—a deep dive into the '80s UK independent TV wars—the commitment to star power often translates into higher perceived value, and sometimes, higher subscription costs.

Before jumping onto a paid service just because a friend recommends it, take a breath and assess your viewing needs. If you only want to see this show, does the full Hulu subscription justify the expense? Consider if you can wait until the show is available on a cheaper, ad-supported tier, or if the platform offers a limited-time bundle that includes *Rivals* alongside other services you already use.

To keep your budget healthy, we recommend treating flagship shows like this as "event viewing." Instead of paying for multiple services to catch up on everything, cycle through your subscriptions. Enjoy *Rivals* for a month, pause the other services, and then switch back. This method allows you to enjoy all the drama without having to commit to the cumulative cost of a dozen streaming platforms.