20 years ago, looking to the future, you probably thought we'd have flying cars and robot maids by now. Blame The Jetsons. Instead we've got streaming platforms, absolutely ruddy loads of them, and that number is only set to increase as we head into 2020 and beyond.
More TV and movie choices than ever before sound great. But those choices demand your hard-earned dollar, which means the vast majority of us are going to have to choose where our loyalties lie.
So what gives you the best bang for your buck?
We're here to help you make an informed decision and pick the perfect package for you.
Netflix
Netflix
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Price:
• Basic package (stream on one device only) = £5.99/month
• Standard tariff (two devices) = £8.99/month
• Premium tariff (four devices) = £11.99
Big changes are happening over at Netflix. Friends and The Office, two of the platform's most popular shows, are set to leave Netflix US, the former heading to HBO Max next year, and the latter off to NBCUniversal's currently unnamed streaming service in 2021.
Little is known about NBCUniversal's platform, other than plans are in motion to launch it in April 2020, and the "vast majority" of its content will be acquired from elsewhere, including Sky Studios, which Comcast now own along with NBCUniversal.
A Netflix spokesperson told Digital Spy that those changes "only apply to the US and there is no impact on the UK", but it's unclear if those terms will change in the future.
NBC Universal
That is a trend that is happening all over the park as corporations take back content that belongs to them in a bid to challenge Netflix for the streaming crown.
And it's something that could, although official reports have not yet surfaced, affect future legacy shows that Netflix currently licenses, such as:
• The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
The CW
But while that might have initially alarmed execs over at Netflix, it also means that the whopping licensing fees – according to the New York Times, the streaming giant coughed up roughly $100 million to keep hold of Friends until the end of 2019 – will play less and less of a role in their business model.
Instead, the focus is on increasing original content, which they make in-house and own outright, and continuing to focus on its established, consistently high-performing shows which consumers can't watch anywhere else:
• Chilling Adventures of Sabrina
• You (season one also aired on Lifetime, but its second season will be a Netflix original)
Netflix
But of course, there's still a number of other supremely popular, well-executed series awaiting further seasons that Netflix doesn't own outright, but will continue to stream:
• The End of the F***ing World
• Schitt's Creek
Then there's the slate of big, A-Lister-fronted movies, which will enjoy limited theatre releases before heading to Netflix and Netflix alone:
• The Laundromat - directed by Steven Soderbergh and starring Meryl Streep, Gary Oldman, Antonio Banderas and Sharon Stone
• The King - starring Timothée Chalamet and Robert Pattinson
• The Irishman - directed by Martin Scorsese and starring Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, Joe Pesci, Harvey Keitel, Bobby Cannavale, Anna Paquin, Stephen Graham, Kathrine Narducci and Ray Romano
Netflix
Alfonso Cuarón's Roma, released on Netflix last year, kick-started the platform's reputation as a serious movie outlet, receiving ten nominations at the 2019 Oscars including one for Best Picture.
Netflix is also paying particularly close attention to its teen and young adult market, with many of its titles catching the attention of younger viewers in a way that other streaming platforms have been unable to. (They clearly follow Hollywood's "four quadrant" model – ie male/female/under-25/over-25.)
TV series such as The Society and Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, alongside Elite and On My Block are immensely popular with both young and older viewers. Young Adult movies, such as To All the Boys I've Loved Before and Kissing Booth, both of which have sequels in the works, also make Netflix an attractive option for teens.
Netflix
Netflix is also making a concerted effort with its foreign language output to capitalise on its vast global spread. In March, it was reported by The Guardian that the streaming giant has programmes in 26 languages, and is aiming to have 100 in production by the end of this year – Dark (German), Money Heist (Spanish) and The Rain (Danish) are three of the platform's most popular.
"It doesn't matter where you live or what languages you speak, this is about great storytelling," said Netflix's Chief Product Officer Greg Peters at Web Summit in Portugal last year (via CNET).
"Netflix members around the world want authentic storytelling, they want a perspective from a passionate creator that's grounded in the local culture."
The wealth of original content, from scripted dramas and comedies, to films, documentaries and an impressive number of true-crime titles, continues to ensure that Netflix remains right up there as a top-tier streaming contender.
There is something to fit every age range, interest and mood, as well as an ever-growing number of foreign-language titles, making this option as inclusive as they come.
Prime Video (Amazon)
Nicole RivelliAmazon Prime
Price: £7.99/month, or £79/year (slightly cheaper at £6.58/month)
Prime Video has the biggest library of TV shows and movies according to Reelgood data provided to Business Insider, with 14,000 movies (compared to a fraction of that over on Netflix – just over 3,800). Though quality, needless to say, varies.
It beats Netflix on TV shows too, with more than 2,300 titles in its library compared to 1,900+ on Netflix.
So if you're looking at the best package on the basis of numbers, Prime Video offers you more for your money.
But according to Reelgood's data, Prime Video has fewer "high quality" TV shows than Netflix – series rated 8 or higher on IMDb:
• Netflix: 203
• Prime Video: 142
The biggest current titles available on Prime Video are:
• The Marvelous Mrs Maisel
• Vikings
• The Boys
• The Man in the High Castle
• Carnival Row
• Mr Robot
HISTORY
But in terms of films – 7.5 or higher – there's only one between them:
• Prime Video: 125
• Netflix: 124
Prime Video also has a wealth of legacy series, such as Lost, Parks and Recreation and The X-Files available to those who just can't let go, or who missed out the first time around.
There's also the option to buy or rent big-ticket (or classic) films and TV shows that aren't included in the subscription, and you can download programmes and watch them on multiple devices – if you're a real TV nut, you can add STARZ PLAY to your package for £4.99/month if you're in the mood for yet more original TV shows and movies.
Mario PerezABC
Amazon has also been making moves in sports broadcasting – the Telegraph branded its US Open coverage "impressive" – and its Premiere League football coverage is also hitting the spot for fans of the beautiful game.
The streaming site is down to broadcast 20 Premier League matches every season for the next three years. That's also complimented by Back of the Net, a brand-new football show hosted by Gabby Logan, Peter Crouch and John Bishop.
Plus, as well as a number of other nice extras, unlimited one-day delivery on tonnes of items is included in the package, which is a big bonus if you do a lot of online shopping.
There's also the Fire Stick, which uses Alexa voice recognition to help you search for new content.
Apple TV+
Apple
Price: £4.99/month in the UK and $4.99 in the US for a family package. If you purchase a brand new Apple iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Mac or Apple TV, you'll get the first year for free.
There is one big disadvantage with Apple TV+, launching on November 1: there will be significantly less content than on other streaming platforms to begin with. More, of course, will be added over time.
But what will be on offer is likely to be high-quality, judging by the players involved.
Here's a taste what you can expect:
• See – a post-apocalyptic drama written by Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight starring Aquaman's Jason Momoa
• The Morning Show – a comedy-drama with Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon as rival TV presenters
• The Banker – a film based on a true story. Anthony Mackie and Samuel L Jackson star as two African-American entrepreneurs on a mission to provide housing loans to the their community in Texas during the Jim Crow era
• Amazing Stories – Steven Spielberg is bringing the Emmy-winning '80s fantasy-horror anthology series back to life
• Defending Jacob – based on William Landay's 2012 New York Times best-selling novel of the same name from Mark Bomback (War for the Planet of the Apes, The Wolverine), starring Captain America's Chris Pine
• Dickinson – a coming-of-age starring Hailee Steinfeld as poet Emily Dickinson
• Central Park – an "outrageous" musical comedy series with an all-star cast which includes Frozen's Kristen Bell and Josh Gad, Tituss Burgess (Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt), and Stanley Tucci
• Little America – Silicon Valley's Kumail Nanjiani and Parks and Recreation writer Alan Yang are heading up the anthology series, which tells multiple stories across the US through the eyes of immigrants
• Toxic Labour – Oprah Winfrey's documentary series about workplace sexual harassment. She is also working on a currently untitled series focusing on mental health with Prince Harry
• Servant – M. Night Shyamalan's psychological thriller, in which a couple struggling to deal with the aftermath of a tragic event must face a mysterious force when it enters their home
You can see the full rundown here.
But there will be no licensed content on Apple TV+, so don't expect to find the likes of Friends or Seinfeld when you sign in.
Subscribers will be able to watch content both online and offline, on demand, and free from ads.
The Apple TV app is available on the following:
• some Samsung smart TVs
• Amazon Fire TV
• LG
• Roku
• Sony
• VIZIO platforms
You can also catch the platform's originals on the web at tv.apple.com.
Marvel Studios
Price:
• $6.99/month, so £5.67 in the UK, or $69.99 annually
• Or you can opt for a package including Disney+, Hulu and ESPN for $12.99/month
There is A LOT of anticipation surrounding Disney+, set to launch in the USA, Canada and the Netherlands on November 12 before hitting Australia and New Zealand on November 19. It doesn't yet have a UK launch set yet.
So, with that caveat, what might you eventually get? These are the titles that are already announced:
• Marvel: five new shows with roots in the Cinematic Universe – Falcon and the Winter Soldier (autumn 2020), WandaVision (spring 2021), Loki (spring 2021), Hawkeye (autumn 2021), and What If...?, Ms Marvel, Moon Knight, She-Hulk. All future Marvel films will stream exclusively on Disney+
• Star Wars: The Mandalorian live-action series, a Cassian Andor live-action series, an Obi-Wan Kenobi live-action series, and an animated series The Clone Wars is being revived for a seventh season. All of the Star Wars films will also be available.
• Disney classics: all of Disney's original signature films will be included in the library, such as The Little Mermaid and The Lion King, classic movies will stream exclusively on the platform, as will all the new live-action remakes and brand-new releases such as Frozen 2 and Maleficent: Mistress of Evil
• Pixar: Monsters at Work (Monsters Inc), Forky Asks a Question (Toy Story), and Lamp Life, a Bo Peep short movie. All Pixar movies and shorts will stream exclusively on Disney+
• Disney Channel favourites: High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, Lizzie McGuire revival, Phineas and Ferb The Movie: Candace Against the Universe. You will also be able to stream 5,000 episodes of Disney Channel's most beloved shows, and all your favourite Disney Channel Original Movies
• Simpsons: all 30 seasons on the animated sitcom will be available to watch
• National Geographic: more than 250 hours of content, including the Oscar winning Free Solo
Marvel Studios
You can also expect:
• Muppets Now – scripted series
• The World According to Jeff Goldblum – docuseries for National Geographic
• Encore! – executive produced by Kristen Bell, the reality series reunites adults with their high school musical castmates to put on a performance
• Noelle – Anna Kendrick and Bill Hader star in the movie about Santa's daughter
• Secret Society of Second-Born Royals – starring Skylar Astin and Peyton Elizabeth Lee
• Togo – a film starring Willem Dafoe about the real-life story of a man and his sled dog's journey through the Alaskan wilderness
• Timmy Failure – based on the book series of the same name, the story follows an 11-year old boy who heads up a detective agency with his best friend, an imaginary polar bear
• Stargirl – based on Jerry Spinelli's novel of the same name about a young girl tying to make her way in a brand new high school
• One Day at Disney – a documentary about a day in the life of a whole range of Disney employees
So if you love your classic and new Disney, Pixar, Marvel and Star Wars, this one really is a must.
NOW TV
Price: NOW TV has a number of different packages to choose from:
• The Entertainment Pass - box sets and TV shows = £8.99/month (from Wednesday, October 9). Get access to shows such as Big Little Lies, Euphoria and Chernobyl
• The Sky Cinema Pass - more than 1,000 movies = £11.99/month
• The Sky Sports Pass - 24-hour day pass = £9.99 / week pass = £14.99 / month pass = £33.99 / mobile month pass = £5.99 a month. Catch the latest Premier League and Champions League games, as well as rugby union, cricket and Formula 1. Keep your eyes peeled for offers on sports passes around big events such as The Ashes and the start of the new football season
• The Kids Pass = £3.99/month
• The hayu Pass - for reality TV shows such as Keeping up with the Kardashians, The Real Housewives of Atlanta and Vanderpump Rules = £3.99 per month.
You can also save some pennies by purchasing one of the bundles they have on offer.
The best aspect of NowTV is that it allows you to tailor your content, ditching either TV in favour of movies or vice versa, or opting in for all of them if you're feeling flush.
In terms of TV, there's both Sky Originals, such as Save Me and Tin Star, and HBO's finest, such as the aforementioned Big Little Lies and previously Game of Thrones, as well as legacy series such as The Wire and The Sopranos.
Plus, there's a number of non-Sky channels included to watch live and on-demand, such as Comedy Central and Fox.
Britbox
BBC
Price: £5.99/month
The BBC and ITV have joined forces to bring viewers Britbox, where you can find all of the biggest and best British TV content in one place. But Channel 4, Sky and Channel 5 are yet to be included.
It will offer its subscribers stuff from the archives, as well as commissioning brand-new programmes. It will not affect BBC iPlayer or the ITV Hub because it won't offer shows which are currently airing or recently aired – BBC shows will move to Britbox after 12 months on iPlayer, and 30 days after appearing on the ITV Hub.
BBC/Red Productions/Ben Blackall
Britbox will also follow the likes of NBCUniversal and Disney, removing the majority of its content from its competitors, such as Netflix. Popular BBC shows on Netflix which will likely move to Britbox are Bodyguard, Happy Valley, Gavin & Stacey and Line of Duty. Unforgotten and Marcella are three ITV shows that will likely leave the platform. Amazon also streams a number of popular British classics, which it will lose to Britbox.
World ProductionsBBC
While the likes of Netflix, Disney, Apple and Prime Video all have a number of options for younger viewers, that's an area in which Britbox will be lacking.
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https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/a29000675/best-streaming-services-netflix-apple-amazon-prime/
2019-09-13 11:00:00Z
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