As part of IGN’s State of Streaming event, we’re taking a fresh look at the major streaming services and what they’re offering subscribers in 2022. You can check out our first thoughts on the Netflix streaming platform from 2019and see what’s changed (for better or for worse) in this updated review.
After pioneering the video streaming business and collecting 220.67 million worldwide subscribersNetflix is the reigning king of the streaming world. With its diverse lineup of original and licensed content, including hugely popular original series such as The Witcher, Stranger Things and Squid Game, all presented in a streamlined interface, plus lovers of interactive content and mobile games, Netflix has plenty of firepower in its arsenal. . But all that comes at a cost, and that makes the $19.99 per month premium the most expensive streaming option out there. As a result of that soaring price, budding competitors like Disney+ are looking a lot more attractive lately, but Netflix is still the streaming service to beat.
Netflix’s TV Shows and Movies
One of the great things about Netflix’s huge library of content is that there doesn’t seem to be a rhyme or reason for the original shows and movies — you never know what you’re going to get. Within a few hours you can watch an action-packed episode of Stranger Things, an Emmy award-winning outing with The Crown, a captivating documentary starring Icarus, and excellent children’s entertainment programs such as Hilda. There is also plenty of content for cooking and home renovation enthusiasts – Dream Home Makeover and Junior Baking Show are some of my personal favorites.
Plus, Netflix has never been shy about dropping serious money to keep its millions of users happy. While not as recognizable as HBO Max’s Caped Crusaders or Disney’s lightsaber-wielding Jedi and Green Hulks, Stranger Things season 4’s huge budget paid off as it broke audience records last summer and thrilled critics. On top of that pile is the endless parade of original films, ranging from reliably lukewarm Adam Sandler comedies to Oscar ace like The Irishman and Don’t Look Up, family fare like The Mitchells vs The Machines, and unexpected stand-up comedy sensations like Bo Burnhams ‘ Inside .
Something you will only find on Netflix is an ongoing experiment with interactive shows in the style of your own adventure. Most have been relegated to children’s shows, such as Johnny Quest and Stretch Armstrong, but Netflix has ventured into more mature content with Escape the Undertaker and Black Mirror: Bandersnatch. While these interactive adventures are only a small part of the library, it’s cool to see Netflix spreading its creative wings with something different.
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Netflix also does games, promising to deliver the “absolutely best” gaming service. While it’s still early days, subscribers can currently access 24 games on iOS and Android, including highlights such as Into the Breach and Immortality, featuring adaptations of Netflix’s own The Queen’s Gambit and Shadow and Bone in development.
The one aspect of the Netflix library it doesn’t like to invest in is live sports; there’s nothing here that rivals NFL’s Thursday Night Football on Prime Video, Friday night MLB doubleheaders on Apple TV+, and English Premier League football (aka soccer) on Peacock.
The Netflix user interface
Netflix’s UI (or UI) is the best in the business and remains as easy to use as ever, with an attractive layout featuring your curated list, and even a Top 10 list for trending shows and movies if you’re a strong fan. case of FOMO. All the basic features you’re probably used to are here too, such as a download option for offline viewing, Dolby Atmos, and parental controls. But again, keep in mind that 4K, HDR, and Dolby Vision are not included in the Standard $15.49 plan – you’ll need to upgrade to the $19.99 premium plan for that.
One of the best additions since our first review back in 2019, is the option to enable or disable “Autoplay”. Gone are the days when you could fall asleep during the Season 5 premiere of Cobra Kai only to wake up and be pampered during the finale. It’s a small change, but a welcome one.
After all these years, it’s easy to assume that Netflix is seamless on most devices. Whether you’re streaming on a tablet or phone, smart TV, game console, desktop computer or any other streaming device, it just works. While other platforms like Amazon Prime Video is making big changes to feel more modern and less clunky, Netflix was already at the top of its game in 2019 and has only improved since then.
Netflix’s price
One of the biggest drawbacks of Netflix, compared to other streaming platforms, is the price. Unlike Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV+, Disney+, Hulu, and HBO Max (among others), Netflix is happy to give its subscribers money for 4K+ HDR content, with a top-tier subscription costing a whopping $19.99 USD per month. Let’s compare this price with the competition.
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Amazon charges just $8.99 a month for a Prime Video-only plan, which includes 4K + HDR, and you can even upgrade your membership with free two-day shipping for about $12 a month (or $139 a year). Apple is even cheaper (which is appropriate considering it offers less content) at $4.99 per month, but that also comes with 4K + HDR included. Disney+ will increase its price to $10.99 per month in December 2022 for its premium, no-ad tier, but that also includes 4K + HDR at no extra cost. It’s a bit of a head-scratcher. I mean, for $9.99 a month, you can’t even stream Netflix in 1080p – the standard subscription costs $15.49. Netflix’s high prices are likely the result of its Investment of $17 Billion a Year in New TV Shows and Moviesbut it is a hard pill to swallow.
It is important to note that Netflix is developing an ad-supported tier to compete with Disney+. While no pricing has been confirmed, Variety reports that: Netflix’s cheaper ad-supported tier will roll out on November 1, 2022 in the US, Canada, UK, France and Germany. So, if you don’t mind a few ads, relief is on the way.
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