Netflix vs Amazon Prime Instant Video vs Now TV : Subscription services whereby you can stream TV shows and movies are very popular now. Many households utilise one or more of the most popular subscription types, which allows them to stream content directly to their TV via their Xbox console, Wii, PS3, or some sort of internet-receiving device such as a Chromecast.
Netflix
Netflix provides on demand TV shows and films, and plans start at a flat fee of £5.99 per month, with no minimum commitment. Watching one screen at a time costs £5.99 a month, two at a time costs £6.99 per month and four screens at a time for £8.99. All plans allow you to set up separate profiles for different family members, so that you can have personalised content and recommendations for each profile.You can stream content immediately onto your PC, laptop, Wii, PS3, Xbox, mobile phone or any other service that allows you to download and use the Netflix app, such as a smart TV or a Chromecast device, and so on.
There are thousands of TV show episodes and films in the selection available and many oft these are available in HD. You can stream instantly whenever you have an internet connection, as well as pausing, rewinding and other actions, similar to playing a DVD.
Amazon Instant Video provides on demand TV shows and films as well, and plans start at £5.99, like Netflix’s. You could also sign up to Amazon’s Prime delivery service whereby you will get 1-day delivery on its items, plus instant video streaming content, for £79 per year; or you could opt for the instant video streaming service plus Lovefilm by Post DVD rental services, for £6.99 per month.
As well as providing thousands of TV series episodes and films that are included in the monthly or yearly membership fee, Amazon also provides some TV episodes or films that incur an extra charge, such as new releases. Additional episodes cost around £1.89.
It’s also worth noting that Amazon Prime Instant Video offers a 30 day free trial so why not give it a whirl
NowTV
Now TV is slightly different from Amazon and Netflix in that it offers Sky TV channels, at a much cheaper rate than a Sky TV subscription would, for people that just want to watch tv show box-sets or movies. You purchase a separate subscription for TV shows (which is £6.99 per month) and movies (which is £9.99 per month), and they have the most current releases that are being shown on Sky channels such as Sky Movies and Sky Atlantic or MTV. There are over 250 entire box-sets available on Now TV, and you can join up with a free 30-day trial, and after that there is no commitment. There is also an added extra, Now Sports, which enables you to subscribe to Sky’s Sports channels, for £6.99 per month.
A drawback to Now TV is that to watch on your TV, you need to purchase a Now TV box, or use a device such as a Chromecast. Even though the service is owned and operated by Sky, you cannot receive content through an existing Sky account or even a Sky box.
You can register up to four devices on one Now TV account and you can watch different shows on any two of them at one time.
Overall
Generally, Amazon Instant Video has a wider selection of new and trending movies and TV shows in its database, which will allow you to watch these for free using your subscription. Newer seasons of popular TV shows attract an extra cost, however, so if you do not want to pay out for these, you may have to wait for them to become free. But an advantage is that they can be purchased from the same source, which is reputable and convenient, once it has already been set up in your home. Netflix has the widest selection of TV shows and movies available, including many full box-sets of older or lesser known TV series. And all content on Netflix is free at the point of use. Now TV has a smaller selection of titles available, and it also works out significantly more costly, but it is unique in that it allows you to choose to subscribe to TV shows, movies, sports, or all three, depending on your viewing choices.
