Prime vs Netflix, stats, views

[Marmalade]

This might be something other members might comment on, and be a guide for those thinking of subscribing or switching.

I’ve added a comparison sites as a starter. My own interest is movies, a wide range, so Prime is a no-brainier for me (18,000 movies vs Netflix’s 4,500). But Netflix is easier to use and has a large collection of top movies with no extra charges.

There’s a couple I’m not really familiar with — SkyQ which looks like a ‘top-end’ of you want to splash the cash. I like 4K but don’t want to watch enough to justify SkyQ costs. NowTV looks attractive if there’s some desirable Sky stuff as a one month (rather than 18 month) contract is available.

The reviews don’t mention fringe channels, like MUBI, AppleTV, Rakuten, BFI Player, all of which I’ve found enjoyable for trial periods.

Any other suggestions? (No illegal or ‘grey’ sites though, prohibited by UKP rulings).

One other curious fact: Netflix ‘spends five times as much as the Beeb on content’ and license fee is roughly similar to Netflix’s top-end rate. (Do we really need to be paying for “22,000 staff working in more than 40 languages and over 50 radio stations”??)

Unlike the Beeb, there are many choices out there. Which are the ones you personally pay for and why?

[Marmalade]

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[King Nuts]

I have subscriptions to Netflix (I have the top tier because I like HD and want my kids and GF to have access too, so it's 13.99 per month) and Amazon Prime. Both are good value and I have no complaints about price. I watch stuff on both regularly.

Have also gone for Apple TV+ at 4.99 per month, worth it for 'The Morning Show' and 'Foundation' alone.

Disney+ is now in existence, and Paramount+ is on its way. Add Sky, Britbox, Now TV etc, and I wonder how many streamers any normal person can afford, or want to pay for.

I've always thought Sky is overpriced. Used to have it, but no more. They try to do an 'Apple' by drawing you in to all their range of services and products and before you know where you are, you're paying easily north of 50 or 60 quid a month. Fuck that.


As regards facts and figures, I gather Netflix has something like 230 million subscribers worldwide. Let's say the average sub is ten bucks per month. That's 2.3 billion dollars a month coming in. 28 billion a year. BBC makes around 7 billion a year (in dollar terms) with all the overhead and obligations that come with it.

Netflix's model, out of all of them - Apple, Sky, BBC, Prime etc - has got to be the most lucrative. Minimal staff, nothing like a broadcaster's overhead, and they don't actually produce anything, they just commission it.

(Correction: in recent times they have started actually producing stuff here, but it's a very small part of their output.)

[DastardlyDick]

I have both Amazon and Netflix - my TV even has dedicated buttons for both on the remote!  I have Amazon because I already had Prime, so it was a case of getting maximum VFM, and they have quite a lot of stuff included in the basic Prime membership. Netflix tends to get films sooner after release than Amazon, but both only get them once it's been in cinemas.
If you're interested in footie, Amazon has some matches on, included in the basic price.
Given the basic subject of this forum, I should point out that neither has any R18  rated films.

[Marmalade]

I agree Foundation was pretty good, and I rarely watch tv series. In that line I enjoyed Picard fractionally more. Both would be beneath Firefly IMHO.

Prime+Netflix make a good combo for me. I use JustWatch to find out what’s streaming where. Netflix is nicer to use but I end up watching more films on Amazon, even paying for them on top of the subscription. On the other hand, Prime do give you free trials with a lot of subscription services, so if you can group carefully you’ll see a lot of films you want before cancelling at the end of the free period.

I think AppleTV is poor value. I’ve got it free for a year with the last Apple device but there’s only a small amount of content before subscribing to channels available cheaper elsewhere.

I can’t think of any R18 films offhand I have wanted to watch. BBFC is pretty generous with the 18 certificate. Unfortunately Prime and Netflix both tend to hack 18 films down. The other thing though is to search Prime by film name as a lot of the edgier stuff won’t show up easily or else substitute the original name if it’s subtitled. BFI MUBI and Rakuten are slightly more respectful but still don’t guarantee the cinematic version.

If you get the inclusive version of Prime, shopping & deliveries, their service angle is pretty good.

[PepeMAGA]

Some great series on prime - the boys, the expanse, Bosch, Justified etc etc.
I sometimes subscribe to the add ons. Shudder is very cheap, but not lots worth watching on there. Starzplay has a lot of really good series.

[standardpostage]

I subscribe to Netflix. £9.99 month. Enjoy films in any language.
They also have TV series and documentaries.

[Gordon Bennett]

NowTV - Have never paid full whack. Currently have Entertainment @ £5 per month, Movies @ £5 and Sport @ £20

Netflix - £9.99 p/m

Disney+ - £79.99 p/a

Prime - £7.99 + 99p StarzPlay add-on

I periodically cancel the Now and Netflix subs but Prime and Disney are pretty constant. I only recently paid the year sub for Disney cos that's easily the one that gets most watched in our household so mayy as well save 2 montgs rental. I put the Starzplay on to watch S2 of Godfather of Harlem. I'm waiting for Daughter to finish something and I'll cancel it (its due to go up to £4.99).

I've got a lot of subs cos it's winter and we're in more. As I say, Now and Netflix will get binned for several months come Spring.

BTW I believe its possible to subscribe to just Prime Video for £5.99 if you don't want Amozon Prime benefits like quick delivery etc.

[sir wanksalot]

This might be something other members might comment on, and be a guide for those thinking of subscribing or switching.

I’ve added a comparison sites as a starter. My own interest is movies, a wide range, so Prime is a no-brainier for me (18,000 movies vs Netflix’s 4,500). But Netflix is easier to use and has a large collection of top movies with no extra charges.

There’s a couple I’m not really familiar with — SkyQ which looks like a ‘top-end’ of you want to splash the cash. I like 4K but don’t want to watch enough to justify SkyQ costs. NowTV looks attractive if there’s some desirable Sky stuff as a one month (rather than 18 month) contract is available.

The reviews don’t mention fringe channels, like MUBI, AppleTV, Rakuten, BFI Player, all of which I’ve found enjoyable for trial periods.

Any other suggestions? (No illegal or ‘grey’ sites though, prohibited by UKP rulings).

One other curious fact: Netflix ‘spends five times as much as the Beeb on content’ and license fee is roughly similar to Netflix’s top-end rate. (Do we really need to be paying for “22,000 staff working in more than 40 languages and over 50 radio stations”??)

Unlike the Beeb, there are many choices out there. Which are the ones you personally pay for and why?

Is that 18,000 "free to Prime users" ?

[Stevelondon]

Is that 18,000 "free to Prime users" ?

If it is....17,950 will not be worth watching. 

[Stevelondon]

I am retired so have plenty of time on my hands.
But how do some folk have the time to watch all this stuff.

I had problems years back when channels 4 and 5 came along.
Does my head in now. 

[Marmalade]

Is that 18,000 "free to Prime users" ?

No idea. I expect that’s a total but the figures are hard to get hold of.

For me it comes down to is there a particular film I want to see rather than just something or other to be entertained.

For instance, two nights ago I wanted to watch Incendies. Rated 8.5 on IMDb. Oscar nominee, BAFTA nominee, same director as Dune. Hardly ‘not worth watching’.

I went on to JustWatch.com. It’s available on Apple, Chili, Rakuten, BFI, Sky and Prime. Netflix is nowhere in sight.

Also last week I wanted to catch up on some of the most recent highly nominated films and looked up Being the Ricardos. Prime was the only one showing it.

That’s very often what happens. On the other hand if I can’t be bothered and just want something to chill out I’ll look on my Netflix list. There’s a load of well-rated films there and no hassle, only is it worth the time. I only have a middle bracket Netflix sub, not 4K. But HD on Netflix is good enough for chilling out.

So personally I think for most viewers Netflix is probably more than enough. But there’s a massive difference in quantity, both bad and good films. So if you’re a bit of a film geek you might probably need Prime.

[Sha99er]

Have both, Actually only subrscribed to Amazon Prime for next day delivery and cheap deals on Amazon but when I seen what I could get with it on the TV yea its a very decent deal. Netfilx is the same its a decent deal but I do find myself using Prime more than Netflix.

I was with Sky since the very beginning and only recently cancelled my package with them due to the amount of things I can now chose from between Amazon and Netflix (I use a Firestick with various apps too) and  havent missed Sky yet. As far as saving money its a no brainer really.

[RedKettle]

I have both and consider Netflix to be more for the TV series rather than films. It is used by members of my family more than me and I think it is targeted at a younger demographic.

Prime is decent for films and like someone said above I had prime anyway so not an extra cost unless I decide to buy a film not included in Prime.

Apple TV is useful as it is no cost unless you decide to buy a film but is often easy to find a film you fancy on.

[Dickled]

BTW I believe its possible to subscribe to just Prime Video for £5.99 if you don't want Amozon Prime benefits like quick delivery etc.

That is true, and it's the subscription I have. I think it's very good value compared to what others are charging, and you don't pay any more to watch stuff in HD or 4K.
One criticism though is that they've begun moving popular series like Black Sails and Outlander to their Starz Play channel which means you have to pay extra if you want to watch them. Still good value though.
Members might be interested in this info about the Disney channel and an offer from Tesco.
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[Markus]

I have Netflix as it’s the most user friendly.  Amazon isn’t worth it for me as find a movie that I want to watch and then am told to pay extra as it doesn’t fall under the Prime package.

NowTV I use for their entertainment even if the ads are annoying. That being said, the subscription is usually on offer at £2 a month.   I also have Mubi which I thoroughly enjoy but again that’s on offer price as I can’t justify paying them £10 a month.  I watched Martin Eden recently, not a movie I would have seen were it not for Mubi.  I found it thoroughly enjoyable and always pick up gems on Mubi.

Part of me hates the amount of platforms but Disney is making much money from their own service than they did under their previous arrangement with Netflix.