Picture the scene – it’s a warm, snug night in your living room, as the cold wind rages outside. You’ve settled in to watch an episode of your favorite show, and it ends on a cliffhanger. And then it gets worse… you have to wait an entire week before seeing the next one! Well, that was before Netflix breezed into town and changed the way we watch TV shows – popularizing the now ubiquitous ‘box set binge.’
In fact, can you imagine what TV viewing would be like if we didn’t have Netflix? We’d have to go back to once a week episodes! Yuck! Netflix has really opened a whole new generation up to wonders of episodic television. Yes, Netflix is not exactly perfect, but there are plenty of advantages and disadvantages to consider if you are looking to subscribe to Netflix. Here are some of the positives and negatives to consider.
Yes – it’s cheap
The primary reason to love Netflix is how cheap it is – $7.99 per month for all that great content. If you think about it, that’s the equivalent cost of buying a small pizza (no sides), and you get unfettered access to all the amazing content on Netflix. It’s excellent value for money, and you can watch as much as you want. Some people balk at the idea of having to pay for subscription TV, but we think it’s difficult to get much better than Netflix in terms of value for money.
No – current seasons of shows aren’t available
Okay, so, one of the annoying things about Netflix is the fact that you can’t watch the current seasons of existing TV shows on it. You will only be able to watch shows that have finished or older seasons of existing shows. This is perfect if you’re trying to catch up, but annoying if you are hoping to catch new episodes. Unless of course, you’re watching a Netflix original, and then it’s fine.
Yes – there’s a great selection
Now, we wouldn’t be paying the $7.99 per month if we weren’t getting something great for it. There is such a wonderful and extensive amount of content you can watch that you’re bound to find something you love. There are loads of great movies and TV shows released every month on Netflix, and this should whet your appetite for wonderful entertainment. And, with it constantly updating all the time, you’re getting more bang for your buck.
No – content differs depending on country
Many people don’t realize, but the content Netflix offers will vary depending on what country you’re in. We learned this the hard way! If you’re on vacation and you watch stuff on your Netflix, you may not have the same show or movie available when you get home. Bear this in mind, and don’t get caught out like we did!
Yes – other people can use it
One of the features of Netflix that we love the most is the fact that multiple people can use the same Netflix account. And, we don’t just mean that you and your roommates can watch Netflix. No, we mean that different people can use the same login details to watch Netflix. So, your parents can use it, you can use it, and your bestie can use it – all on the same account. Now, if that’s not awesome, we don’t know what is!
No – content comes and goes
Another annoyance when considering Netflix is that content is updated a lot, which means it regularly comes and goes. This is something you have to prepare for, and a good reason to marathon your favorite shows. If you don’t get them watched, they may not be available for very long, and the last thing you want is for them to be removed from Netflix while you’re midway through the season!
As you can see, there are plenty of advantages and disadvantages to Netflix, and there are other competitors out there, like Amazon Prime and Now TV. But, we feel, from weighing up the positives and negatives, that Netflix is definitely worth subscribing to, and is an essential addition to any living room.
