Netflix versus NowTV

The lockdown may have eased but our TV will remain our main source of evening entertainment for a while yet.

Many of us are looking at bumping up our viewing options.

 But should we pick, or stick with, Netflix or rival streaming service NOWTV.

“It can be a tricky choice. Both streaming services share a lot of characteristics,”  says Rob Flynn of TV comparison site Bonkers.ie.

Service Monthly

Netflix €7.99/€15.99*

NOWTV: Sky Movies €15

NOWTV: Sky Sports €23

NOWTV: Hayu (reality TV) €7

NOWTV: Childrens TV €7

*For Ultra HD service that is not worth paying extra for as internet streaming quality is degraded by extra demand in the Covid 19 lockdown

€15

· “While Netflix’s catalogue is much more substantial and varied, it’s beginning to focus more on developing original content so will continue to draw a consistent following for that reason, not to mention those who choose to auto-renew monthly for convenience's sake. Netflix can also be easier for those with small children, with a wealth of great content for all the family to enjoy, and all in the one place.”

“With NOWTV, consumers opt to buy individual ‘passes’ depending on the type of content or shows they’d like to watch.”

I’ll leave our entertainment pages to review what’s on (see pages….)

But I was impressed with and enjoyed the box set offerings on Now’s entertainment package, especially Das Boot and Catherine the Great.

I am on Virgin’s TV package and miss Sky Atlantic. So combining Virgin Media’s platform and NOWTV - which gives you Sky Atlantic’s offerings and Sky boxsets -  is a great way to get the best of both Sky and Virgin.

Now TV tends to offer lighter and more conventional TV-style entertainment.

Netflix is seeking plaudits as a movie and original series producer and tends to the ‘dark side’. It won’t keep you supplied with blockbusters or recent hit movies but there are plenty of Irish films, art-house hits and movies you may have missed that are worth trying if that’s your taste.

So who’s the winner?

Winner

Cost: Netflix

Sport: NOWTV

Movies: NOWTV

Boxsets: NOWTV

Accessability/ease of use: Draw

Overall value: Netflix

Eoin Clarke, boss of comparison site Switcher.ie reckons that NOWTV is best for sports, movies and reality shows.  

“It offers a few different passes across entertainment, movies, kids, reality and sports for you to choose from. You pay monthly for access to these passes, he explains.However, Netflix is the most popular streaming service by a long way, he says. “You'll find Netflix on pretty much every single smart TV you buy right now,” he said.

This makes access very handy. But NOWTV also offers a smart stick or box for easy-viewing too (instead of logging in online or via an app).

“NOWTV really differentiates itself from Netflix when it comes to access to live sports,” says Bonkers’ Mr Flynn. "With NOWTV sports fans can sign up to any one of its daily, weekly or monthly passes to Sky Sports or Sky Sports extra.

It’s daily pass for €10, or even its weekly pass for €15 can be invaluable for people who only want to watch a particular match or tournament on any given day.” 

 “NOWTV also tends to be more niche in terms of its subscriber base with many of those who choose to subscribe doing so to watch content that’s unavailable anywhere else, such as shows on Sky Atlantic, or reality TV with hayu,” says Bonkers’ Rob Flinn. When it comes to cost both of our experts agree that Netflix gives you a lot of bang for your buck; €7.99 a month gets you a wealth of film, documentary and kids’ TV options all rolled into one package. However,  NOWTV has the edge when it comes to content. But if, like me, you’ve burned through everything you’d want to watch on Netflix (for now) why not cancel Netflix for a while to binge on NowTV’s movies and/or boxsets?

Then when you’ve had your fill,  cancel that and switching back to Netflix, which should have plenty of new material by then.

Or if you can’t make up your mind, why not try the free trial period with both?

Netflix offers a one-month free trial, whereas it’s only seven days with NOWTV, although you can also try out its various packages, one after the other, which effectively extends its trial period considerably. But do be careful to cancel before the end of your trial if you don’t want to pay for an extra month.

Enjoy!