Making an educated decision about how you spend your money is always important, which is why it’s time to reconsider the way you consume TV. Save hundreds of Rand by choosing the subscription that’s best for you…

Are you tired of watching repeats on TV? Or having 400 channels with nothing to watch? Perhaps it’s DStv’s recent fee increase that’s got you considering your options?  After all, times are tough and as our article on 5 ways to cut spending shows, the first thing people are encouraged to do when their moola’s running thin is cut their satellite subscriptions. Whatever the reason may be, if you’re reading this you’re probably reconsidering the way you consume TV.

In the past, cutting your satellite subscription would mean you’re left with SABC or that you have to download your series and blockbusters illegally. The launch of internet-based video on demand subscription services like ShowMax and Netflix has changed this. Now you have ample options of legal ways to get your hands on your favourite shows, and other new viewing options, without paying an arm and a leg.

Since each of these platforms has its own unique content catalogue, you’re likely to find exactly what you’re looking for. A quick comparison will make it clear which is best for you:

DSTV

With the recent annual increase in DStv Premium fees (from R699 to R759 p/m), many loyal DStv subscribers are up in arms. The main complaint is that DStv has a monopoly in South Africa and that they are simply shoving super high costs down their subscribers’ throats. But before we start hating on them, it’s worth keeping in mind that if we lived in any other country, like the US for example, we would have to pay a set fee for the standard cable TV offering and then still subscribe to premium cable channels like HBO and Showtime on top of that. At least, DStv offers it all in one place. And if you don’t want “it all” you can simply downscale your package.

In fact, DStv has a whopping seven different packages to choose from. Besides a Premium package (R759 p/m for 110 channels), you can opt for DStv Extra (at R459 p/m for 86 channels), DStv Compact (at R345 p/m for 73 channels), DStv Family (at R219 p/m for 52 channels), DStv Access (at R99 p/m for 40 channels), DStv EasyView (at R29 p/m for 15 channels) and M-Net analogue (at R369 p/m).  Click here to find out what each of these packages include.

One of DStv’s most popular value-adds is DStv BoxOffice, which enables subscribers to rent a wide selection of popular and recently released movies for 48 hours at a cost of R35 per movie – something to keep the whole family entertained when you can’t find something to watch on DStv and you’re really just aching for a relaxed duvet-day.

Another drawcard for subscribing to DStv is the wide selection of sport that it broadcasts. If you’re into that kind of thing, there really is no local alternative that allows you to chill on the couch and watch your favourite football games one after the other. The same goes for news channels. That said, if you do have a relatively decent internet connection, you can always just stream it live.

ShowMax

On its website, ShowMax is described as: “… an internet-based subscription video on demand service supplying an extensive catalogue of TV shows and movies. By leveraging relationships with major production studios from across the globe, ShowMax delivers both world-class international content as well as the best of specialised local content. ShowMax is accessible across a wide range of devices from smart TVs and computers to smartphones and tablets.” What this description doesn’t say is that ShowMax is owned by Naspers – the same company that owns DStv – and therefore, even though it could be said to rival DStv, it can also be seen as being a “brother from another mother” that broadcasts on a different platform (with a lot of similar content).

When ShowMax was launched in South Africa in 2015, it boasted around 750 different series – with 850 complete seasons and 19,000 episodes, which comes to over 11,000 hours of viewing time. Plus another 400 movies on top of that. All for R99 p/m.

That sounds cheap right? Well, in isolation it is, but when you consider the data usage and cost implications of that, it becomes a different story (particularly since South Africa’s internet costs are still comparatively high)…

The average HD 22 minute series episode will set you back about 400MB while a HD movie can consume anything between 1GB and 1.5GB.

If you want to stream a standard ShowMax show to a single device, you’ll need at least a 2MB line. To stream a good quality HD show to more than one device we recommend nothing less than a 4MB line.

While it may not have the sport and news like DSTV, ShowMax’s trump card lies in its unparalleled collection of local content (think Egoli, Binnelanders, Orkney Snork Nie, Msawa, and Ballade vir ’n Enkeling). That, plus the fact that ShowMax has the rights to a bunch of very popular current shows, like Game of Thrones, Broadwalk Empire, True Detective and Entourage as well as legendary older shows like The Newsroom, The Wire and Breaking Bad makes it a very attractive alternative to its big brother, DStv.

A big drawback though, is that you’ll still have to settle for a maximum streaming quality of 720p – average at best.

Keen to see what it’s all about?  Why not try a ShowMax free 7-day trial here?

Netflix

The most recent addition to South Africa’s video-on-demand streaming services, Netflix, was launched in early 2016. Not only does Netflix produce their own shows (exclusively available via Netflix streaming only), but it also supports more devices at a higher quality visual (think HD and Ultra HD).

With thousands of series, documentaries and films to choose from, a Netflix subscriber will have ample content to work through (with new content also being added daily). Monthly subscription packages start at $7.99 (R116.44 at the time of writing) and range to $11.99 (R174.73 at the time of writing). The most basic package offers you one standard definition stream per month, while the most advanced package enables as much as four simultaneous high and ultra-high definition streams.

While, like ShowMax, Netflix has vouched to consistently update content, it has also been criticised for only offering local subscribers about 5% of the amount of content that they have on offer internationally.

What sets it apart from other streaming services, however, is its much-loved unique original content, including Orange is the New Black, Narcos and Marvel’s Daredevil.

Again, we caution you to monitor your internet usage closely if you opt to go the streaming route. Especially since streaming HD quality for one hour can eat up a chunk of 3GB, with an Ultra HD stream for the same duration consuming as much as 7GB.

Wondering what it’s like? Why not try a 30-day free Netflix trial here?

Our verdict

As you can see, each option comes with its pros and cons. Ultimately, it depends what your unique TV content consumption pattern looks like.  If you have an uncapped internet connection (that you’re paying for already anyway) and only consume a couple of specific shows, services like ShowMax and Netflix really seem like viable options.  If, however, you’re more of a sports fan that’s looking to watch game after game in high quality, we reckon DStv is still your best bet (you can even record the matches that you can’t watch live and slo-mo those tackles and action-packed moments). Either way, making an educated decision about how you spend your money is always important, helping you avoid unnecessary costs and streamlining your overall spending.