In addition to Netflix, more and more video streaming services are appearing. And they all want to bind you as a viewer. That can be an expensive joke. But what exactly do you get for that monthly amount?
For a long time, Netflix was about the only platform to stream movies and series. But recently, Disney announced that the company will launch its own streaming service (Disney+) on November 12 in the United States, Canada and the Netherlands. With this, the company is competing with Netflix, Videoland and other established streaming services. And Disney is not the only one, Apple is also working on its own streaming service, which, according to CEO Tim Cook, will also appear in November.
Sven Sauvé, CEO of RTL Nederland and owner of Videoland, calls the emergence of new streaming services no surprise: “We saw this coming for a long time and they are certainly not the last player to enter our country.” The fact that the Netherlands is ‘favourite’ among streaming services is because, according to Sauvé, the Dutch are open to innovation.
Of all streaming services, Netflix in particular will suffer from competition, Sauvé expects. “Major film producers sold their content en masse to Netflix, now they are going to launch their own streaming service.” Netflix can, of course, now build on considerable brand awareness.
Streaming services compared
There are now so many streaming services that it is not realistic in terms of costs to subscribe to all of them. We list the costs and features.
Netflix
Netflix offers different subscriptions. The cheapest costs €7.99 but for that amount you only get SD quality. In addition, you can only watch movies and series on one device at a time. For HD quality and the ability to use three devices, you pay $3 more. Add that same amount again for 4K quality and four possible devices. The offer includes films, series, Netflix Originals and documentaries.
Amazon Prime Video
In the Netherlands, a subscription to Amazon Prime Video costs €5.99 per month. It is possible to stream in HD or Ultra HD and link three devices to one account. Like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video offers movies, series, originals, and documentaries.
Video country
Videoland has a wide range of Dutch series and programs. A subscription costs €8.99 per month. In addition to the many Dutch programs, you can also watch many international films and series on Viideoland.
Disney+
A Disney+ subscription is expected to cost $6.99. For that amount, you get the highest possible image quality and the ability to watch on four screens simultaneously. Disney+ will feature films and series from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars and National Geographic.
Apple TV+
Whether Apple TV+ will come to the Netherlands is not yet entirely certain. Neither is the price, but it will probably be around €9.99. Like Netflix, Apple TV+ will offer so-called originals and will probably also offer bundles with other providers.
NPO Start
NPO Start offers both a free and paid subscription. Paying subscribers (NPO Start Plus, € 2.95 per month) get HD quality, and can see programs earlier and without advertising. With NPO Start you can watch previously broadcast programs of the NPO.
NLSEE
The NLZIET app bundles programs from the NPO, RTL and TALPA. Users pay €7.95 per month for this. You will have access to 21 channels and you can watch programs up to 7 days after the broadcast.
