Am I wasting money by choosing monthly payments over a cheaper annual subscription?

My partner saw the $96 annual option and said, "You're paying extra just so you can cancel."

The same service offers $12 a month. The annual plan is paid upfront, and its displayed terms say unused months aren't refunded. I want it for one show now, and I might watch other things afterwards. Last year I paid monthly for four months, cancelled, and didn't miss it for the rest of the year.

I can spare the $96 without touching bill money. That's why I feel slightly ridiculous resisting a discount I could afford. But last year's four months cost $48, and this year's annual offer would ask me to spend twice that before knowing whether I want twice as much.

He thinks I should commit for the year and make better use of it. I think choosing what to watch around a payment I've already made is a strange kind of saving.

How do you decide when an annual discount is worthwhile and when the ability to stop paying is the thing you're buying?