{"id":151515,"date":"2016-01-10T18:52:59","date_gmt":"2016-01-10T16:52:59","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/mybroadband.co.za\/news\/?p=151515"},"modified":"2016-01-12T09:27:34","modified_gmt":"2016-01-12T07:27:34","slug":"netflix-versus-showmax","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mybroadband.co.za\/news\/broadcasting\/151515-netflix-versus-showmax.html","title":{"rendered":"Netflix versus ShowMax"},"content":{"rendered":"

Netflix recently launched in South Africa\u00a0as part of\u00a0the service’s expansion to 130 new countries.<\/p>\n

In SA, the streaming giant is up against smaller services like ShowMax, OntapTV, VU, and Vidi.<\/p>\n

One would\u00a0assume that an established player\u00a0like Netflix would blow the local offerings out of the water, but thanks to regional content licensing, things aren\u2019t that simple.<\/p>\n

There are many areas where Netflix still has its South African competition licked, though, and only\u00a0comparing the number of titles available on each platform won\u2019t tell you which is better.<\/p>\n

Factors to consider when deciding on a video on demand (VOD) service include:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Price<\/li>\n
  2. Range of content<\/li>\n
  3. Streaming quality<\/li>\n
  4. Platform support<\/li>\n
  5. Usability of apps<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Price<\/h3>\n

    It is difficult to compare pricing across different services as each offers different plans.<\/p>\n

    Many VOD providers also offer movie rentals in addition to their subscription service.<\/p>\n

    These transactional VOD services are available from OntapTV, Vidi, and VU – whether you subscribe to them or not. For the purposes of our comparison we\u2019ve disregarded their rental offerings.<\/p>\n

    ShowMax<\/strong>\u00a0is R99 per month, giving you access to 2 simultaneous HD (current max: 720p) streams.<\/p>\n

    Vidi<\/strong> has a similar structure, but also offers subscriptions for R5 a day, and you don\u2019t need a credit card to subscribe. You can pay using Vodacom airtime, or EasyPay.<\/p>\n

    VU<\/strong>, formerly MTN FrontRow, charges R99 per month, but also has\u00a0a weekend package for R39 once-off.<\/p>\n

    OntapTV’s\u00a0<\/strong>Mega Pack is R89, but cheaper packages are available. For R69 per month, you can subscribe to either the Family, Movies, or TV Series package.<\/p>\n

    Netflix<\/strong> has 3 price tiers, none of which are available in rand.<\/strong><\/a> This means fees will fluctuate with the exchange rate.<\/p>\n

    The comparable plan to those above is Netflix Standard, which gives access to 2 HD streams (1080p) for $9.99 per month (\u00b1R160).<\/p>\n

    This means that Netflix is the most expensive subscription VOD service currently available in South Africa.<\/p>\n

    Netflix in SA is also priced the same as in the United States, but offers a much smaller content library. This may discourage existing subscribers using unblocking services from switching.<\/p>\n

    Range of content<\/h3>\n

    \"Game<\/a><\/p>\n

    Comparing the number of movies and TV shows of the VOD services only tells part of the story, and it is virtually\u00a0impossible to individually compare the hundreds of titles available on each platform.<\/p>\n

    [Finder.com<\/strong> compares SA vs US Netflix content<\/a> <\/strong>library].<\/p>\n

    It is possible, though, to\u00a0see how\u00a0content compares, and how regional licensing affects content availability.<\/p>\n

    The table below compares some of the shows common to both Netflix and ShowMax, showing which seasons are available and how current they are.<\/p>\n

    \n
    \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
    TV Shows common to Netflix and ShowMax<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n
    Series and seasons<\/td>\nNetflix ZA<\/td>\nShowMax<\/td>\nStatus<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
    Arrow<\/strong><\/td>\n2<\/td>\n2<\/td>\nSeason 4 airing<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Bates Motel<\/strong><\/td>\n2<\/td>\n2<\/td>\nSeason 4 airing<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Brooklyn Nine-Nine<\/strong><\/td>\n1<\/td>\n1<\/td>\nSeason 3 airing<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Elementary<\/strong><\/td>\n2<\/td>\n3<\/td>\nSeason 4 airing<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Ray Donovan<\/strong><\/td>\n2<\/td>\n3<\/td>\nSeason 3 finished, renewed<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Suits<\/strong><\/td>\n4<\/td>\n4<\/td>\nSeason 5 airing<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Under the Dome<\/strong><\/td>\n2<\/td>\n2<\/td>\nSeason 3 finished, cancelled<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

    It\u2019s worth noting that while Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Elementary, Ray Donovan, Suits, and Under the Dome are available on Netflix SA, they are not available on Netflix US.<\/p>\n

    Netflix<\/strong> also has a number of original shows and movies you won\u2019t find on other services, such as: Hemlock Grove, Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Sense8, Making a Murderer, Narcos, Beasts of No Nation, and Master of None.<\/p>\n

    It also has Black Sails (season 1), which was previously only available on VU <\/strong>(season 2).<\/p>\n

    Notable absences from Netflix’s original content line-up in\u00a0SA include House of Cards and Orange is the New Black. This is because Sony sold the broadcast rights to MultiChoice<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

    ShowMax<\/strong> has the rights to a number of shows, including Game of Thrones, Boardwalk Empire, True Detective, Girls, True Blood, and Entourage.<\/p>\n

    It also has a number of older HBO shows you may not see elsewhere, such as The Newsroom, The Wire, Band of Brothers, the Pacific, and Deadwood.<\/p>\n

    OntapTV<\/strong>, Vidi<\/strong>, VU, and ShowMax also all offer catalogues of BBC content, including shows like Sherlock and Luther, which are not available on Netflix.<\/p>\n

    OntapTV has also secured rights for 3 of the newer seasons\u00a0of Doctor Who.<\/p>\n

    There is no clear winner in terms of content, and you may have to subscribe to more than one service to get all the movies and series you\u00a0want.<\/p>\n

    \"House<\/a><\/p>\n

    Streaming quality<\/h3>\n

    When it comes to video quality, Netflix has the competition beat.<\/p>\n

    It lets you choose lower-quality video for a cheaper price, or you can go all the way up to UHD resolution.<\/p>\n

    Netflix also offers sound quality of up to 5.1 surround sound, while other local services only have a stereo mix available.<\/p>\n

    Platform support<\/h3>\n

    Netflix once again beats its competitors in the category of platform support.<\/p>\n

    You can find Netflix apps on almost any connected devices, including the PS4,\u00a0Xbox One, and multiple\u00a0media boxes.<\/p>\n

    Netflix has become a must-have feature\u00a0for manufacturers’ devices. Local operators\u00a0have a long way to go to reach Netflix\u2019s ubiquity.<\/p>\n

    Usability of apps<\/h3>\n

    Netflix\u2019s apps tend to be more user-friendly, better organised, and better looking than those from ShowMax, VU, OntapTV, and Vidi.<\/p>\n

    One feature Netflix doesn\u2019t have, though, is the ability to download episodes or movies for later viewing.<\/p>\n

    Downloading for later watching is something OntapTV launched with<\/strong><\/a>, and which ShowMax has begun\u00a0introducing to its Android app<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

    Summary<\/h3>\n

    The table below summarises how Netflix compares to the rest of the VOD field in South Africa.<\/p>\n

    \n
    \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
    Service<\/td>\nCost per month<\/td>\nContent<\/td>\nPlatforms<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
    Netflix US<\/strong><\/td>\n\n
      \n
    • R128 ($7.99 – Basic)<\/li>\n
    • R160 ($9.99 – Standard)<\/li>\n
    • R192 ($11.99 – Premium)<\/li>\n
    • +R79 for unblocker ($4.95)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
    		\n
      \n
    • \u00b17,000 titles<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
    		\n
      \n
    • Everywhere<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Netflix ZA<\/strong><\/td>\n\n
      \n
    • R128 ($7.99 – Basic)<\/li>\n
    • R160 ($9.99 – Standard)<\/li>\n
    • R192 ($11.99 – Premium)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
    		\n
      \n
    • \u00b1730 titles<\/li>\n
    • 231 TV shows<\/li>\n
    • \u00b1500 Movies<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
    		\n
      \n
    • Everywhere<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    ShowMax<\/strong><\/td>\n\n
      \n
    • R99<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
    		\n
      \n
    • \u00b11000 titles<\/li>\n
    • 20,000+ episodes across \u00b1400 shows<\/li>\n
    • 400 Hollywood and British movies<\/li>\n
    • 200 local movies and TV series<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
    		\n
      \n
    • Samsung TVs 2012+<\/li>\n
    • LG TVs 2012+<\/li>\n
    • Windows<\/li>\n
    • Mac<\/li>\n
    • Android<\/li>\n
    • iOS<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    OntapTV<\/strong><\/td>\n\n
      \n
    • R89<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
    		\n
      \n
    • \u00b1430 titles<\/li>\n
    • \u00b14,500 episodes<\/li>\n
    • 291 movies (162 SVOD, 129 TVOD)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
    		\n
      \n
    • Windows<\/li>\n
    • Mac<\/li>\n
    • Android<\/li>\n
    • iOS<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Vidi<\/strong><\/td>\n\n
      \n
    • R99<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
    		\n
      \n
    • 2,500+ episodes<\/li>\n
    • 170+ movies (\u00b1100 SVOD, \u00b170 TVOD)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
    		\n
      \n
    • Samsung TVs 2013+<\/li>\n
    • Windows<\/li>\n
    • Mac<\/li>\n
    • Android<\/li>\n
    • iOS<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    VU<\/strong><\/td>\n\n
      \n
    • R99* (Includes zero-rated MTN data.)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
    		\n
      \n
    • 829 titles<\/li>\n
    • 2,981 episodes across 97 series<\/li>\n
    • 732 movies (241 SVOD and 491 TVOD)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
    		\n
      \n
    • Windows<\/li>\n
    • Mac<\/li>\n
    • Android<\/li>\n
    • iOS<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n
    Exchange rate: R16\/USD<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    * R99 VU fee is promotional, set to expire on 31 January 2016. The normal fee is R119 per month.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tfoot>\n<\/table><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

    More on Netflix in South Africa<\/h3>\n

    Here is the Netflix SA full content library<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

    No Netflix rand support planned<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

    NAPAfrica to ensure smooth streaming for Netflix in SA<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

    This is why some of Netflix\u2019s best shows are missing in South Africa<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

    How to sign up for your free Netflix trial<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Which video streaming service should you hand over your hard-earned money to?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":151519,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_sma_x_autopost_status":"idle","_sma_x_autopost_error":"","_sma_x_post_id":"","_sma_x_attempts":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[24],"tags":[35,1643,2054,34409,32908,32140,19073,26544,34297],"class_list":["post-151515","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-broadcasting","tag-headline","tag-naspers","tag-netflix","tag-ontaptv","tag-pccw-global","tag-showmax","tag-times-media-group","tag-vidi","tag-vu"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mybroadband.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/151515"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mybroadband.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mybroadband.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mybroadband.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mybroadband.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=151515"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/mybroadband.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/151515\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":151517,"href":"https:\/\/mybroadband.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/151515\/revisions\/151517"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mybroadband.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/151519"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mybroadband.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=151515"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mybroadband.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=151515"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mybroadband.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=151515"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}