Digital streaming platforms, similar to television and cinema, are just another means of “distributing and consuming media content” (Spilker and Colbjørnsen 1211). The digital streaming market is booming now, with dozens of platforms pitching their unique content. Nevertheless, the two undeniably dominating global streaming platforms are Netflix and Amazon Prime Video (Spilker and Colbjørnsen). This paper will outline and compare the main features as well as the technical characteristics of the two platforms.
To begin with, both platforms specialize in original and third-parties media content such as movies, TV series, and animation. Neither Netflix nor Amazon Prime currently has free ad-supported subscriptions. However, unlike Netflix, Amazon offers a variety of extra materials that can be purchased without a subscription. Furthermore, the value and content of the different level subscription packages vary from platform to platform. Netflix’s premium subscription, as compared to basic, provides an increased number of available authorized devices as well as a superior quality of streaming content. Amazon, on the other hand, suggests the only type of subscription – Amazon Prime, which also gives access to the premium features of the Amazon platform itself, like faster delivery and exclusive offers.
Finally, both platforms have several ways of accessing and watching their digital content. Netflix requires a steady internet connection with a speed of up to 25Mb/s for watching ultra-HD videos that can be streamed via console apps such as PlayStation and Xbox. The PC desktop app asks for Windows 8 or a later version and, similar to the mobile app, allows to download the content directly on the device (Netflix). In turn, Amazon shares similar features except requiring Windows 10 version for the PC app and providing the app for iOS users as well (Amazon.com). I have all the hardware to seamlessly stream content from Netflix and Amazon Prime websites from both my laptop (MacBook Air) and my phone (iPhone SE). Although, I would not be able to download the Netflix app on my laptop.
To conclude, Netflix and Amazon Prime have a similar price for the basic subscription, with the latter offering additional discount for students, but each platform has different advantages. Amazon Prime subscription gives its users benefits and premium services outside the streaming platform, whereas Netflix has superior free and original content. Considering that monthly subscriptions for both platforms are in the price range of a single cinema ticket, it is well worth the price.
Works Cited
How to use Netflix on your Windows computer or tablet. Netflix, Inc., 2022.
Help – Amazon Customer Service. Amazon.com, Inc., 2022.
Spilker, Hendrik Storstein, and Colbjørnsen, Terje. “The Dimensions of Streaming: Toward a Typology of an Evolving Concept.” Media, Culture & Society, vol. 42, no. 7-8, 2020, pp. 1210-1225.