Netflix, Videoland and iTunes: there is a lot of choice when it comes to video-on-demand services in the Netherlands. iPhoned compares the 7 most important video services and tells you everything you need to know.
What do you need to know about video services?
With video-on-demand, you watch videos when it suits you. Think of it as a new style of TV viewing: watch unlimited films, documentaries or series when it suits you. There are now many video services available, where you pay a fixed amount per month.
A big advantage of video-on-demand is that you are not dependent on your TV. You can watch on your iPhone, iPad, Mac, MacBook, Apple TV and Chromecast when it suits you. You stream the films and series via WiFi or from a data bundle. The range of video services has increased considerably in recent years, so that you may no longer see the forest for the trees. In this article we highlight the best services.
1. Videoland
Videoland distinguishes itself from other video services thanks to its extensive range of Dutch films and series. The service is part of RTL and therefore exclusively features popular programs such as Temptation Island and Zwarte Pulp. Episodes can already be viewed via Videoland a few days before the TV broadcast.
You will also find international programs such as Peaky Blinders on the video service, but the total offer cannot be compared to Netflix. On the other hand, there are a lot of family-friendly shows on Videoland, such as children’s series.
Another advantage of Videoland is that you can stream films and series to your Apple TV via the app by means of AirPlay. Of course this also works via the Google Chromecast. On the go, you can download videos for offline use, so you don’t have to stream from your data bundle. This saves a lot of money.
If you are not yet a member, you can try Videoland for two weeks for 1 cent. After that you pay 8.99 euros per month. Depending on the program, the image quality is SD or HD.
2. Netflix
Netflix is ​​the best-known video-on-demand service and should therefore not be missing from this list. In the Netherlands alone, there are already more than two million subscribers who use the service. The Netflix offer is large and still growing.
This is mainly due to the budget of the service, with which it produces its own exclusive series and films. Think of series like House of Cards, Orange is the New Black and more. Nowadays there are also many comedy shows (exclusive) on Netflix. The Dutch offer is not very extensive.
In addition to a nice selection of in particular own series and (documentary) films, all apps work well on both mobile devices and the PC and Apple TV. There is also Chromecast support and titles can be downloaded on the go, just like with Videoland.
The first month you get for free from Netflix. You can then choose from three subscription types. With ‘Basic’ you can watch movies and series in SD quality (less than HD) for 7.99 euros per month, where you can use one screen at a time. The standard subscription costs 10.99 per month and offers two screens for equal viewing and HD image. With Netflix Premium, you can watch movies and series in both HD and 4K quality on four screens at the same time.
The service can be tested for free for the first month, after which Netflix has three subscription options. The cheapest is Basic and costs 7.99 euros per month. Videos will not play in HD and you can use one screen at a time. Standard (9.99 euros per month) offers two screens at the same time and HD image. The premium subscription costs 11.99 euros. This allows you to watch on four screens at the same time and use both HD and 4K. You pay 13.99 euros per month.
Also read: AirPlay 2: 5 improvements in a row and everything about supporting speakers
3. NL sees
NLziet is aimed at fans of Dutch television. The service bundles the range of three video services: NPO Start Plus, RTL XL and KIJK. This allows you to watch thousands of programs in addition to live TV (12 channels), of course without advertising.
Most episodes can still be seen in high quality up to a year after broadcast. However, there are exceptions: many documentaries broadcast by the NPO, for example, cannot be found here due to rights issues. Some episodes are exclusively on NLziet for a few days before the official TV broadcast, such as with GTST.
The NLziet app works with Chromecast and Apple TV 4. People with an Apple TV 4K can also watch unlimited series with NLziet. You can try the service for free for a month. After that, you pay 7.95 euros a month and you can watch a maximum of two screens at the same time.
4. Film1
You can take out Film1’s video-on-demand service through your TV provider, or opt for a monthly subscription. You can then look at the offer on a device of your choice. That offer is not huge (between 250 and 300 titles) and at least 25 new films are added every month. However, titles often disappear due to broadcasting rights.
If you take out Film1 through your TV provider, you can also watch unlimited and you get 4 linear channels. However, the offer differs per party, so pay attention to the conditions. Film1’s films are usually newer than the offerings of other video services. The titles are divided into five categories and you can watch up to four different screens.
If you want to stream films on television, you can do so via AirPlay or Chromecast via the Film1 app. You can try the service for 1 week for free, after which you have to pay 7.99 euros per month. If you take out Film1 through your TV provider, the prices will change.
5. Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Prime Video has been available in the Netherlands since the end of 2016 and immediately received a lot of criticism. The service has since improved, but is still falling short in some areas.
The biggest criticisms are the sometimes lack of Dutch subtitles and the limited supply. Amazon Prime mainly relies on its own, high-quality productions such as The Grand Tour – made by the team behind Top Gear – and The Looming Tower. This series tells the story of the competition between the CIA and FBI.
In addition, the offer is often quite dated. Amazon Prime Video has plenty of top movies, but from five to ten years ago. However, the number of titles is growing by the week and Amazon is a wealthy company. In other words, they have everything they need to become a serious challenger for Netflix.
You can stream movies and series with your Apple TV, but Amazon Prime Video does not work with the Chromecast. To make up for all those minuses, the price of Amazon Prime Video is low. The first half year you pay 3.99 euros per month with the first 30 days on a trial. After six months, the price rises to 5.99 euros, which is still very reasonable compared to the other services.
Also read our Amazon Prime Video review
6. Mubi
For enthusiasts, by enthusiasts: that’s Mubi in a nutshell. The somewhat less well-known on-demand service is recommended for film fans. Mubi is all about a small selection of titles handpicked by people. There are always thirty films to be seen (classics and arthouse), but every day one disappears and a new one is added.
You then have thirty days to check a title. Mubi works in the Netherlands, but films almost never have Dutch subtitles. You have to do it with English subs. Via the iOS app you can download movies to watch offline. Mubi works with Chromecast and Apple TV, so you can watch the movies on television. You pay 8.99 euros per month. You will of course receive a discount with an annual subscription.
7. iTunes
It seems a bit of an odd man out, but iTunes is a video-on-demand service. You do not have to pay monthly, but you pay per film or episode of a series. The options are buying or renting, the latter being the cheapest.
From the moment you turn on the video, you have a day to watch it if you have rented the title, then it will disappear from your account. The selection is wide, with thousands of titles, including newer films. You can purchase movies and series via iOS, but they cannot be streamed to Chromecast. Of course it works with the Apple TV.