Which is the best streaming service?
My opinion on which platform rules the marketplace
Back 10 years ago, I remember the boom of Netflix as a genuine competitor to traditional cable/satellite channels in the UK. Now, it is one of many services provided by film studios, media companies or even just general companies, and it is stretching thin both existing media and people’s purse strings. With so much choice, what is the right one to choose? I thought I would write this article for my UK followers to determine what is the best mainstream service for streaming in 2024.
Price & Features
Netflix
£10.99 for standard membership with no adverts
£4.99 for standard with adverts
£17.99 for premium subscription (no adverts and 4k quality)
£4.99 a month extra to add another household
Rating — 6/10
Amazon Prime
£8.99 per month with minimal adverts, £11.99 with adverts
Includes Amazon shopping and music
Add another household at no extra cost
Rating — 8/10
Disney+
£4.99 for streaming with ads
£7.99 for ad-less streaming
£10.99 for premium streaming
Currently free to share between households
Rating — 8/10
Now TV (Max)
£11.98 for first 6 months for cinema and entertainment
£20.00 for both following 6 months
Free to share between households
Rating — 7/10
Apple TV +
£8.99 per month
Allows free sharing between household
Free 3 month trial with any apple product purchase
Rating — 8/10
Paramount +
£6.99 per month
Can share between households
Sky Cinema subscribers get Paramount + for free
9/10
Winner
Paramount + (just)
User Interface (Going off of PS5 Apps)
Netflix
As Netflix was the originator of the streaming service, it is their homescreen which has been the template to any other competitor. The main areas have remained the same, with different genres and subgenres being given their own line to scroll. I also enjoy the feature to search any category and to see what is trending. It probably could be sleeker, but it ticks all the boxes required.
Ranking — 7/10
Amazon Prime
As the second major streaming platform, Amazon had to both innovate and keep a relatively similar formula to Netflix. Personally, it is not for me. Although it does have the subgenres like it’s major competition, it is hard to find specific genres, and you can search for them, but it would be easier if you could see them. Further, it only gets more confusing with the Prime, No Prime and Freevee with adverts options. It is hard to tell what is included and what isn’t.
Rating — 5/10
Disney+
Upon opening up Disney+, you are instantly greeted with the main companies the studio owns. I do like how, unlike from what I saw of Paramount, that you can go to the correct channel quickly. However, minus points for the fact you cannot split up movies/tv when on a channel. Menus are easy to navigate, though, and the watchlist and type of media are easy to find.
Rating — 7/10
Now TV (Max)
Now TV is an awkward one, as it is split up into Movies and Entertainment. Once you get your head around it, it reminds me of a more streamlined version of Amazon Prime. There are top picks, genres and subgenres, and clear distinctions between shows. My only gripes are that the app is rather slow and also that it seems quite outdated/old looking.
Rating — 6/10
Apple TV +
The Apple TV+ app is okay. It shows trending movies and films separate, which I like, but even though the search bar does have genres, these are not detailed. It does look crisp though.
Rating — 7/10
Paramount
Paramount may be the best. There are separate sections for movies and shows, and also shows “new to Paramount”, trending media, and originals all near the top. I would say it is also relatively easy to access your watchlist. It loses 1 point for not having an app for PS5 though.
Rating — 8/10
Winner
Paramount, rather clear
Existing and Original Content
Netflix
Back in what many would call the “prime” of Netflix, they were pumping out shows for every genre, with several large successes in the original sphere, such as Stranger Things, Daredevil and Mindhunter. Most of these shows (bar Daredevil) remain, and whilst their original films tend to be rather poor, there are a few examples of genuine ingenuity. With how rich the company is, they also tend to hold a lot of sought after films, so although there is a lot of clutter, there is enough good to outweigh the bad.
Rating — 7/10
Amazon Prime
I think this is a preference thing, and will vary from person to person. Amazon tends to thrive in creating products in the same ballpark as each other. Superhero entertainment? The Boys and Invincible. Detective Shows? Bosch and Reacher. Military? The Covenant and the Terminal List. However, when it tries to venture out from these topics, they tend to struggle. I also appreciate that even if something isn’t on the platform, you can rent or buy it.
Rating — 7/10
Disney+
As it is Disney, the benefit of owning all the content you stream is that they’ll never lose anything, only add to it. Having Star Wars, Marvel, Pixar and Disney classics, as well as owning other companies like Fox, means there is plenty of content for people, and new shows like the Mandalorian and Only Murders in the Building have cemented Disney as the number 1 place to experience classics, both old and modern
Rating — 8/10
Now TV (Max)
The benefits of Now TV is that it is the UK division of Max, and therefore holds all the original and budding HBO shows. The Wire, The Sopranos, Game of Thrones and Band of Brothers all feature as classics of the genre. Then, you also have the modern wave of television, including Succession, Barry and House of the Dragon. As an avid television buff, this is the most appealing TV selection from my options. The films are also both classics and new releases too.
Rating — 9/10
Apple TV +
The unique thing about Apple TV + is that all the content is stuff they make themselves, and is not bought to be a part of their services. They already have several hits, not least Ted Lasso, which has made the service important to a lot of consumers. Other options, like Severance and Slow Horses, have received critical acclaim. My issue is that there is a lack of movies currently, but this could be rectified down the line.
Rating — 6/10
Paramount
Paramount has consistently relied on one man to get the job done — Taylor Sheridan. Much like Kevin Feige and the MCU, Sheridan has oversaw the successes of Paramount, such as Yellowstone (and it’s spin-offs), Mayor of Kingstown and Special Ops: Lioness. With a great backlog of Paramount movies and South Park, there is lots to be excited about.
Rating 7/10
Winner
Now TV, for casuals and the auteur
Adaptations
Netflix
I think it is fair to say Netflix is rather poor when it comes to adaptations. You have the adequate if not underwhelming outings for The Witcher and Avatar, and the awful Resident Evil show. They fail to utilise the source material or understand their audience. However, there are positives, such as the Arcane series.
Rating — 5/10
Amazon Prime
Amazon, as previously stated, deal best with two genres — detective/army shows (Jack Ryan, Reacher, Bosch) and superheroes/comics (Invincible, The Boys). For all the success, though, there are shows like The Rings of Power, which leave a bitter taste in the mouth, butchering a classic, and making fans worried for the God of War show slated for future development. However, with the recent release of the much loved Fallout series to Prime, it appears there is hope.
Rating — 8/10
Disney+
Now, I can’t say I have watched any adaptations made by Disney+, as they tend to be straight to the streaming service for a reason (looking at you, Peter Pan & Wendy), however the release of Percy Jackson felt like the step in the right direction.
Rating — 5/10
Now TV (Max)
Probably the strongest contestant. Critical success with Game of Thrones has followed with universal acclaim for the House of the Dragon and The Last of Us adaptations. For prestige adaptations of beloved work, there is no better place.
Rating — 9/10
Apple TV +
Apple is different to other streaming services as they simply make the shows, not just purchase pre-existing shows. However, the shows aren’t always original ideas, and sometimes are based on books. Silo, for example, is a highly rated show starring Rebecca Ferguson, based on a series of fiction novels. Further, there are other shows, such as the Crowded Room, which have also garnered critical reception.
Rating — 8/10
Paramount +
Currently, the only real adaptation Paramount has made is the polarising Halo series. From what I’ve heard (mainly from my dad), the show is good on its own, especially the second season, however it disrespects the material it is based on, which is not a smart move. The announcement of the Ark Survival Evolved series does seem peculiar, but has peaked my interest.
Rating — 6/10
Winner — Now TV/Max
My Overall Ranking
Now, from worst to best…
6) Apple TV+
Whilst it does have some promising shows, the lack of movies and wide range of content makes it a very middle-of-the-road service.
Overall rating 6/10
5) Netflix
What was once the pioneer of the genre has now become lacklustre, struggling for original material and losing more and more established content and subscribers.
Overall rating 6.5/10
4) Disney+
Arguably the best back catalogue of movies and a healthy dose of original series, but lacking varied new content in my opinion.
Overall rating 7/10
3) Amazon Prime
Just edging Disney+ due to their continued efforts for new content and staples like The Boys and Invincible, as well as the option to rent things they don’t have.
Overall rating 7/10
2) Paramount+
Having the prettiest interface and a wide array of top quality films, as well as continued and completed shows, means it is almost top spot. The best value for money on this list.
Overall rating 8/10
1) Now TV/Max
Simply put the most comprehensive streaming provider. If you can afford the entertainment and movie package, you could not ask for more.
Overall rating 9/10
