Issuers publish a list
Streaming categories are usually defined by a list of eligible services, such as video, music and audiobook platforms.
A service not on the list earns the base rate, even if it is obviously a streaming service.
Bundles sold by phone carriers or cable providers code as the carrier, not the streaming service.
Who bills you decides
Subscribe inside an iPhone app, and Apple bills you. The statement says Apple, and the charge codes as Apple's digital store.
The same applies to Google Play and Amazon Channels. The bonus usually does not apply.
To earn a streaming bonus, subscribe on the service's own website with the card you want to use.
Is it worth optimizing?
A household paying $60 a month for streaming earns about $36 a year more at 6% than at 1%.
That is useful, but small. A card should not be chosen for streaming alone.
Annual plans earn the bonus once, in one month, which can matter for cards with caps.
