Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+, NOW TV. The list could go on. There are now so many streaming services available, all offering monthly subscription packages. Out of them all, which one is the best? Most people have at least one streaming service they use, but statistics show that the average household has access to 2.3 streaming services. How you can access 0.3 worth of a streaming service is unknown, but that’s what the figures show.
The question is, which one should you sign up to? Is it wise to be sucked into having a subscription to more than one streaming service? This post will explore the benefits and downfalls of the 4 main streaming services, the average cost, and whether you should sign for it.
Netflix
Starting with the king of all streaming services, Netflix is by far one of the most popular ones. Netflix was founded in 1997, believe it or not. However, it was not the Netflix that we know and love today. The original business model started as buying and selling products on the internet. The founders wanted to try and copy what Amazon had begun doing.
Fast forward 24 years, Netflix is the top streaming service with 183 million paid subscriptions around the world. That doesn’t account for all those people that are sharing their subscription with other households as many people do. Streamers in the UK even use VPNs to gain access to the American version of Netflix, which has a wider variety of films to watch.
The most basic streaming cost Netflix offer is £5.99, ranging up to 13.99 for their premium service. Premium users can enjoy the ability to use Netflix across multiple devices, 4K content, and unlimited movie and TV shows. Netflix is an all-rounder that every UK household can enjoy.
Amazon Prime
Amazon Prime is one of Netflix’s biggest rivals. Amazon Prime Video is nearly as popular as Netflix, with 175 million people signing up to use the streaming service. Using Amazon Prime Video highlights why Netflix is a step ahead. Netflix produces their own documentaries, TV shows and films that are now highly anticipated.
Amazon Prime Video also produces its own TV shows and films. But not on the scale Netflix does. Many streamers also comment on the lack of content compared to Netflix. There are only certain films available on the subscription. Amazon demands additional fees to buy or rent some of the better movies.
Typically, UK households have a Netflix and Amazon Prime Video subscription for some added variety. Amazon Prime Video will set you back £7.99 a month, but you do get other Amazon benefits with that, such as free deliveries.
Disney+
Disney+ is the new kid of the block. Since launching in 2019, the streaming service has shot to the top of the leaderboard. In just a short amount of time, the streaming service managed to gain 103 million subscribers who enjoy access to a wide variety of content that the other two previously mentioned streaming services seem to lack.
What they lack is Disney and Marvel content, of which Disney has all. Disney+ grants you access to every single Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars and National Geographic content that you could wish for. The service has recently introduced Starz, which is home to the new Power Playbook, the spin-off to the popular Netflix series Power featuring James St. Patrick and Tommy Egan.
It’s an excellent streaming service that’s well worth the money if you are a Disney or Marvel comics lover. All the incredible content matches the cost of Amazon Prime at £7.99 per month.
NOW TV
NOW TV is great if you want to have access to some channels that you would on Sky, without paying the ludicrous prices of Sky TV. NOW TV formed in 2012 and has been a popular streaming service ever since. Compared to the other streaming services, however, NOW TV doesn’t have the same popularity. NOW TV only has 2.2 million streamers, and it might be because it’s a completely different streaming service.
NOW TV offers a variety of different packages that grant streamers access to specific content. For example, you could sign up for NOW TV entertainment and have access to certain Sky TV channels, such as Sky One. Or, you could sign up to NOW TV Sports, giving you access to the main sporting channels. Streamers have the option to buy just one of the NOW TV passes, as they’re called, or the service as a whole.
The prices vary. The NOW TV entertainment package costs £9.99 a month. The Sky Cinema pass costs £11.99 a month. The Sky Sports pass costs a whopping £33.99 per month. It’s easy to see why it’s the least popular streaming service.
There are more streaming services available offering different types of content. Which one you chose depends on what you like to watch and how much you’re willing to pay. Shop around to find some great deals.
