Broadcasting13.03.2024

Best bang-for-buck streaming services in South Africa

Prime Video and Netflix are the best bang-for-buck streaming services in South Africa in terms of content quantity versus price, with the Amazon-owned platform offering slightly better value for money.

MyBroadband compared Showmax 2.0, Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, and Disney+ in terms of pricing and the content each offers.

MultiChoice launched the new Showmax service on 12 February 2024 with significant changes to the platform.

It now offers three subscription tiers — Entertainment, Entertainment Mobile, and Showmax Premier League — with monthly prices ranging from R39 to R89.

At R89 per month, the Entertainment package’s pricing represents a R10 price cut. The normal Showmax has been priced at R99 per month since it launched nearly nine years ago.

According to JustWatch, Showmax Entertainment subscribers get access to 1,344 movies and 596 TV shows.

In comparison, Amazon Prime Video has the biggest streaming catalogue in South Africa, with over 8,000 movies and 1,361 TV shows. It costs R79 per month.

This cache includes movies from all over the world, including Hollywood blockbusters and Amazon Originals, as well as a huge amount of Bollywood titles.

For R159 per month, the Netflix Standard plan gives customers access to a broader range of series.

The streaming service’s catalogue includes nearly 4,000 movies and 2,600 TV shows.

The chart below compares the number of movie and series titles offered by Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, Disney+, and Showmax.

It should be noted that exact title numbers aren’t readily available for Disney+. However, the company says it features at least 1,000 movies and 1,500 TV shows.

From a value-for-money perspective, Amazon Prime Video’s extensive catalogue and price of R79 per month makes it the best bang-for-buck streaming service available to South African residents.

With a total of 9,369 titles, this works out to less than one cent per title.

However, while Netflix Standard is more expensive and has fewer titles, the price per title difference is negligible.

The streaming service offers a total of 6,541 titles, working out to less than two cents per title.

Netflix could still be more attractive to those who watch a lot of series, as they will get access to almost double the number of series.

Showmax’s catalogue of nearly 2,000 movies and TV shows means subscribers pay just under five cents per title.

This makes it better value for money than Disney+, which costs R139 per month.

JustWatch doesn’t track content on Disney+ in South Africa, but the company claims it offers over 1,000 movies and 1,500 TV shows.

This works out to approximately six cents per title for subscribers to the Walt Disney-owned streaming service.

The table below compares Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, Netflix, and Showmax regarding their catalogues, pricing, and price per title.

Streaming service content and price comparison
Service Movies Series Total Price Price per title
Amazon Prime Video 8,008 1,361 9,369 R79.00 R0.01
Netflix 3,948 2,593 6,541 R159.00 R0.02
Disney+ 1,000+ 1,500+ 2,500+ R139.00 R0.06*
Showmax 1,344 596 1,940 R89.00 R0.05
*Disney+’s TV show and movie numbers aren’t readily available. The price per title figure is based on the company saying it features at least 1,000 movies and 1,500 series. There are likely more than that, which would decrease the price per title.
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