The Streaming Wars
Before there were any streaming platforms in India, we had TV. It was like an ultimate possession in a middle class family in the 80 and early 90's, where DD was the only channel, and every Friday or Saturday as far as I can remember a movie was shown.
Now we millennial's are spoiled for choice after the entry of Netflix in 2016 and Amazon Prime video in 2017, people wanted to be part of this very eagerly as their favorite shows were easily available and just a click away. Amazon Prime Video cmae to India in 20017. A lot of local streaming services also poped up , but they could never be a competition to the big three Netflix, Prime Video, and Hotstar.
What is the difference between Netflix and Amazon Prime?
Netflix has a better UI compared to Prime Video, Netflix and prime video focuses more on its own content these days, as they do not have to negotiate with the content developers over the rights of the movie or series or documentary. Netflix is best suited for the folk who like more of American content compared to indie content, Prime videos focuses more on regional content in regional languages here in India.
Netflix is renowned for its own productions of series's such as Stranger things, 13 Reasons Why, Bojack Horseman Etc. Prime Video also has its own production house just like Netflix for movies and series, Prime Video is renowned for its car show's and others like Grand tour, Hunter, The Report Etc.
Which is the best Sports Streaming Service?
Hotstar and Sony Liv are the only two sports streaming services that I am aware of , both have a freemium model and also a monthly payment model, in Hotstar you even get British and a bit a american shows as well as it's owned by Disney-Sky and almost all live Sports Events like F1, cricket Etc. Sony Liv is part of Sony Pictures Network, they favor more of their own TV related content like local language series which aired on TV and also live sports events, they focus majorly football (soccer) events.
What Do I prefer?
Movies and Documentaries : Netflix 70% of the time.
Sires: Prime Video 70% of the time.
Sports: Hotstar 20% of the time, Sony Liv 80% of the time
Cost?
Netflix: Rs 199(mobile only)/499/650/799 this is per month basis
Amazon Prime Video: Rs 190/Month or Rs 1000/ Year (cheapest)
Hotstar: Rs 299/Month or Rs 1000/ Year
Sony Liv: Rs 500/Year or Rs299/6 Months or Rs 99/Month
Conclusion:
After the inclusion of these above mentioned online streaming services, you can literally forget about getting a DTH connection or a Cable TV connection in our country, as all the four combined it comes upto Rs 10,300 a year, and a DTH connection comes upto 14,800 a year( Including every single HD channel out there ). Streaming Services always work on a on demand basis, but TV has its own zeal. Its time to shift to streaming services as they work out 4k cheaper compared to TV every year and it has whatever we want to watch on a daily basis and everything is HD even sometimes 4k(Prime Video).