May 13, 2020
Video streaming has never been more popular in South Africa. Popular choices include Netflix South Africa, Showmax, Amazon Prime Video South Africa, DStv Online and SuperSport. Since the lockdown started in 2020, we have all been glued to our screens at home, watching online TV shows, movies and sport. Where do you start if you are new to the world of online video streaming? Let's explore and review several popular video streaming options to entertain you at home. Let's explore the prices, account options / plans and more.
Netflix is the largest video streaming service in the world and arrived in South Africa in January 2016. Netflix South Africa offers a wide range of international TV shows and movies. This company continues to grow its investment by creating its own South African video content. Netflix produces a vast amount of its content, from movies with Hollywood A-listers to an array of TV shows that cover most genres.
Netflix South Africa offers a free month to trial their service. Plans start at R99 per month in 2020. Netflix offers an app for mobile devices.
Showmax was launched just before Netflix arrived in South Africa in August 2015. Showmax is a local alternative to Netflix, which offers international movie and series content and more. A significant advantage is their large number of regional films and series because they actively promote them, while producing many of their South African movies and TV shows. Showmax offers some sports video content as well.
Showmax offers first-time users 14 days to try their service for free after which it costs R99 per month in 2020. You can try out the Showmax app for cellphones and tablets.
DStv Online is the DStv satellite TV service's online movie and series content platform. It is offered at no extra cost to existing DStv subscribers. Try the DStv Online app for mobile devices.
DStv offers top Hollywood movies and international series, as well as a large variety of South African films and series. DStv has said that it will move over its entire platform to an internet-based, fully online service in 2020. The need for a decoder and satellite dish will eventually become redundant.
SuperSport offers live streaming of popular sports events, as well as other sports video content. SuperSport's content is offered as part of a specific DStv subscription in 2020. It provides unmatched coverage of local sports such as soccer, rugby, cricket and more. SuperSport also gives viewers access to international sports events, such as The English Premier League. Use the SuperSport app on your mobile device.
Apple TV+ is quite new to the video streaming industry. It launched in South Africa in 2019. This video streaming service is similar to Netflix. It has less movie and TV-series content compared to Netflix. Apple TV+, like Netflix, also makes use of top Hollywood stars in some of their original movie and series productions.
Apple TV+ South Africa lets first-time viewers use their service for 7 days. In 2020, this video streaming service will cost R84.99 per month after your free 7-day trial. The Apple TV+ app is available for mobile devices.
Amazon Prime Video, the movie and series streaming service, was launch after Netflix in South Africa in December 2016. You can trial the service for 7 days for free before paying $5.99 (approximately R112.66) per month in 2020. This video streaming service follows the same formula as the other major international competitors, with both video content it produces as well as other widely available popular movies and series.
Video streaming is best combined with an uncapped/unlimited internet package otherwise, you could run up big bills if you watch a lot of online video content.
As you can tell, there are many options to choose from. Many people subscribe to several of these video streaming services so that they don't miss anything. Otherwise, perhaps try Netflix, Showmax, Apple TV+ and Amazon Prime Video for free during their respective trial periods to see which service best suits your needs. Visit their websites for more details.
Online platforms are highly convenient when it comes to watching series, movies and for other purposes like buying car insurance. You could purchase car insurance whenever it suits you. Perhaps consider getting affordable car insurance with PMD?
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