Just a month away from Netflix India's launch anniversary, Amazon has launched its very own streaming site – Amazon Prime Video to invade our lives and devices. Well, speculations and comparisons have already begun between the two major streaming sites of India today.But, from the viewers perspective it is always better to have options to choose from. Both the streaming apps can be downloaded on IOS and Android devices making it even more accessible for people looking for respite from monotonous television offerings.
Which one is better for your taste, pocket and is there to stay is to be quickly unfolded in this post.
Price War – Netflix India has three subscription plans for its viewers. The Basic starts at Rs.500 a month with no HD or Ultra HD features and a single watch screen at a time. The Standard plan is offered at Rs.650 with HD and two simultaneous surveillance screens. The Premium Plan has no restrictions on simultaneous screens also offering HD and Ultra HD features with a monthly payment of Rs.800. There are no limitations on shows one can watch in any of the subscription plans.
Amazon Prime Video has hammered the nail on the right spot by coming up with an introductory offer of Rs.499 annually and is speculated to expand to Rs.999 annually in the months to come. Price is a sensitive issue for most Indian viewers, and Amazon Prime Video comes with an offering price of almost 1/12th of Netflix's basic monthly rate at just Rs.42.
The introductory offer includes HD and Ultra HD ViΩdeo quality with three simultaneous watch screens and not to forget that Amazon Prime Members also get a day or two of free-delivery of Amazon orders being placed online. Buyers also get a half an hour early access to hot deals on the site. Now, that's a real tough game to battle.
Content is the King
TV Shows
Netflix justifies its premium pricing for the variety and quality shows it has on display. Well, many would agree on it for sure. Some highly appreciated Netflix TV Shows these days include Narcos, Orange Is The New Black, House of Cards, Stranger Things, Black Mirror, Breaking Bad, Archer, The Crown, That 70's Show, How To Get Away With Murder, Suits, Weeds and Dexter. What A List and most of them being Netflix Originals. While many can still use the alternatives and watch them online for free as many apps are available. All you need is download Kingroot apk, and your device will be able to surpass the restrictions.
Amazon does not disappoint either with shows like Good Girls Revolt, Transparent, Seinfeld, Mr.Robot, The Night Manager and The Good Wife.
Original Content
Netflix originals like Making a Murderer, Marvel's Daredevil, Orange is the New Black, Narcos, and House of Cards have done well both globally and with Indian audiences. The content has time and again being consumed and re-consumed on the streaming site and app. Not to forget the acclaims and awards that come with it.
Amazon has an equal edge with shows like Transparent, Good Girls Revolt, Bosch, Red Oaks, The Man in the High Castle and Mozart in the Jungle. They've hadsome great Metacritic reviews and won Golden Globe awards.
Genres
Both the streaming sites venture different categories of Entertainment that include New Series, Anime, Asian TV shows, British TV shows, Crime, Indian TV, Kids TV, Romantic TV shows, Science and Nature, Action and Adventure, Drama, Horror and Sci-fi. Netflix even has a special one named "Binge-Worth" TV that claims to keep an audience hooked. Few comedy shows of Netflix have done superbly as well. Amazon here lacks depth but runs fair for its pricing.
Regional Content
Amazon isn't popular with its limited Indian movies and show collection. Amazon, on the other hand, has an elaborate collection of both Bollywood movies and TV shows and still plans to expandits list. Few regional shows have also reached the moon as Amazon originals.
Recent Happenings
Only a day after the launch of Amazon Prime Video came into the news; there was also news of Shah Rukh collaborating with Netflix exclusively to release all his former and forthcoming work (all movies of Red Chillies Entertainment). On the other hand, Amazon has roped in many Indian filmmakers to make fresh content and is reportedly coming up with 17 new TV shows. Few modern names include Farhan Akhtar, Zoya Akhtar, VikramidtyaMotwane and Sujoy Ghosh. Also, many production houses will back up young writers, directors, authors to create web series about genres like Political Satire, Psychological thrillers, Period Drama, Art, Sports, Mythology, etc.
Payment Glitches – Amazon is famous in delivering timely orders. So, even for this service, it is providing convenient options of Cash on Delivery and other Debit and Credit Card Payment. Netflix viewers, on the other hand, have often complained of it being choosy in accepting individual Debit and Credits as payment.
Given the current scenario, both Amazon and Netflix seem to share a similar stage for Indian viewers. People loving to watch Non-Indian shows will find their share of happiness in Netflix, and with budget friendly Indianized viewers Amazon will have an edge for the time being. It is only the time to come that will reveal the real competition and if there is really any. The case could very well be that both will down the line, find their own niches, highs, and love from audiences.