Stream Wars!!

Actually, I'm writing this from the view of two services

Amazon Prime Video and Netflix.  However, this is becoming a packed market, with at least two new services due to be launched in the UK very soon.

ITV and the BBC are launching Britbox later this year, at the same time that Disney will be launching their Disney+ service.

However, until then, arguably the two biggest video streaming services today are Netflix and Amazon Prime.

So; how do they stack up?  

Well; I subscribe to both; with the Amazon service part of my overall Prime subscription.  For Netflix, it's £9.99 per month (and that's about to increase a little bit too!)
If you purchase only the Amazon service, it's £7.99 per month (but you do get 30 days free).

Originals and Exclusives

They both boast their Originals and Exclusives.  What's the difference?

An Original series or movie was commissioned directly for the service, whilst and Exclusive is where they have negotiated to be the only streaming services to show the title.  It is highly possible to see and Original on other broadcast services - for example, The Bodyguard was made by ITV, but was shown on the BBC, and was then bought by Netflix.  It's a complicated business.

Both Amazon and Netflix heavily promote their own 'original' tv series and movies; and whilst Netflix seem to have the upper-hand with some of their content, Amazon are right on their tail with some great offerings.

It's also good to see that both of these services have stepped up, in recent times, and 'saved' network series' after they were announced they were being cancelled.

Shows like Brooklyn 99 and The Expanse are two examples where they were picked up by Netflix and Amazon respectively, all down to fan-pressure.

Netflix, of course, has huge titles, such as Stranger Things, Black Mirror and a number of Marvel titles too (but that is likely to change when Disney+ is launched).

Amazon has the brilliant Mrs Maisel, Sneaky Pete, Man In The High Castle and Good Omens and many more great shows.

So, which is best?

So, back to the question I asked at the beginning?  

Which is best?  

It's difficult to answer, as they both offer so much.  

I think Netflix might just 'win' based on the sheer volume of content available; but that will change when titles are removed in the coming months.

New services will be vying for your money; and if you're a Disney fan there is a whole load of new and exclusive content being made for that platform.  As I said at the start, it's a busy marketplace, which doesn't look like it's going to quieten down any time soon.

Stock up on the popcorn.

x

Amazon Prime v Netflix

Not a day seems to go by when someone, somewhere, is giving their views about which streaming video service is best.  So, I thought, why not me too!

In the name of full disclosure, I am an Amazon Prime member; although I don't have a vested interest in the company, I just give them my money!
My Netflix subscription is courtesy of a gift, for a year, so I've had the opportunity to use both and give my considered opinions.

     V

Amazon Prime and Netflix are just two of the many streaming services, giving you the opportunity to tune in and watch at your convenience.  There is a big differentiator in that Amazon also have their own Fire TV (box and stick) that you can plug directly into your television to watch.  Bizarrely, you can download a Netflix app to the Amazon TV; as well as YouTube, BBC iPlayer and more.

For the purposes of this post, I'll concentrate on the services and not the hardware - a review of which I have previously written.

Television

Let's start with television.  In each case, both offer a wide range of programmes and in both cases they have their own "Original" series.

Amazon has "Transparent", an Emmy award winning series, along with "Red Oaks", and the new "Man in the High Castle".
Amazon have their Pilots season, where, as a viewer, you can vote on programmes that you'd like to see made into full series.  Amazon are investing heavily in their own productions, and this is a terrific way for them to make something that we, the audience, want to watch.
To great fanfare, they also announced they are creating a brand new series of Top Gear, something which I think will ensure more people sign up for Prime.

Netflix are also investing heaving, and also have their own selection of Original programmes, notably "Orange is the New Black", "Daredevil", "House of Cards", and the new Marvel series "Jessica Jones".  Their catalogue of television programmes is very extensive indeed.

With the ability to vote on your favourites to be made into full series, then Amazon wins this round.

Feature Length Fun...

Moving onto movies.  This is where I believe Netflix has the upper hand.  Their selection of films appears to be non-exhaustive, unlike Amazon, which, whilst they have an abundance of films, doesn't seem to offer quite the selection.  I do think this is partly to do with the way Amazon organises its library, which makes it difficult to find something.  According to the filter criteria, there are over 1500 films currently, (and over 1000 TV shows) - so there is definitely something for everyone.

However, the on-screen navigation makes it easier to find on Netflix, so they win this round.

Bonus Point

There is one extra feature that is only offered by Amazon Prime.
The ability to download and watch offline.  When this was announced, Netflix immediately stated that this is not something that their customers would be interested in - as streaming is so straight-forward today, and it would mean helping people to free space on devices!  Really? Personally, I think they're wrong.
Having the functionality available to download a film or TV show, for me, makes this a winner.

Amazon gets an extra, bonus, point.

How much?

Last, but certainly not least is the cost.  This is where it really gets interesting.

Amazon - £79 per year.  For that, not only do you get access to a large library of films and TV, but you also have Amazon Prime Music, unlimited next day delivery, unlimited photo storage and, if you have a Kindle, access to the lending library too.
If you're not already a Prime member, you do get a 30-day free trial before they charge you.

Netflix have a range of options; starting at £5.99 per month, for standard defintion video; up to £8.99 per month for HD quality and multiple screens.
Again, they offer a 30-day free trial before they start charging.

Bear in mind that Amazon charge the entire year in one go; whereas Netflix charge on a monthly subscription basis.  This has the added benefit that you can stop at any time, without penalty, and also upgrade/downgrade at any time.

Conclusion

So there you have it.  A (brief) look at two of the major streaming services available in the UK.

There are plenty of others, that may, or may not, meet your needs.

Comparable in cost, on an annual basis, for me, it's easy.  Whilst I can see the benefit of Netflix, and its simpler-to-use menu structure, as I'm already a Prime member, and therefore taking advantage of the other services on offer, all for an annual fee of £79, then that makes the most sense.