Whether you’re working from home or not, it isn’t easy to occupy your free time during the current lockdown. Have you watched your entire DVD and Blu-ray collection over and over again? Don’t panic, if you’re a fan of TV series, movies or even documentaries, we have the solution!
It is entirely possible to watch movies, series and documentaries legally. You are probably already familiar with the concept of video on demand (VOD), available for free on websites, apps and sometimes your television. However, the selection of programs and their accessibility is rather limited. To address this problem, here is a list of SVOD (Subscription Video on Demand) platforms that you can access for a monthly fee ranging from €3 to €15.99. The only requirement is that you have a good internet connection. Practical, these platforms have the added benefit of allowing several people to use them at once with a single subscription. A good idea for families and groups of friends!
NETFLIX: a solution with something for everyone
Netflix offers a subscription-based video on demand service that is particularly comprehensive. For €7.99 a month, it provides access to a large number of movies and documentaries, as well as stand-up comedy specials. This platform’s greatest strength probably lies in the series it has to offer, as it has been producing original content for several years now. Netflix is therefore the only platform where you can find original series such as Money Heist, House of Cards and Black Mirror, among others.
Advantages
In addition to being able to choose between three different subscription plans according to your needs, Netflix offers the possibility to create a kid’s profile so that your child only has access to appropriate content. To boost parental protection, regular (adult) profiles can be password-protected.
AMAZON PRIME VIDEO: a solution for nostalgic users with a limited budget
Although you can access this platform by subscribing to Amazon Prime for a yearly fee of €49, you can also choose to subscribe to Amazon Prime Video for €36 a year (or €3 a month). This service features both movies and series, the majority of which are American productions. Like its competitor Netflix, Amazon Prime Video has been producing its own series for some time now. A number of these original series, such as The Man in the High Castle, The Expanse and Tales from the Loop, are really worth watching. The Amazon Prime catalog also includes cult movies and series such as Jurassic Park, Gladiator, Indiana Jones, Lost, Grey’s Anatomy and The Big Bang Theory.
Advantages
If you choose to subscribe to Amazon Prime, you’ll enjoy a host of advantages, in addition to access to your favorite movies and series.
OCS: a solution for series binge-watchers
Thanks to its partnership with HBO, OCS features 90 different series, including Game of Thrones, True Detective and Watchmen, as well as other productions such as The Walking Dead and The Handmaid’s Tale. Note that this SVOD platform also has a particularly exhaustive movie catalog.
Subscriptions cost €9.99 a month. You can access the service on your smartphone, tablet or computer and it is also possible to access OCS simultaneously on two different screens. For an extra €2 a month, you can also enjoy the platform on your TV.
Advantages
Whichever subscription plan you choose, you can enjoy a free trial lasting a month if you sign up via the OCS website.
RAKUTEN TV: a solution for the whole family with a free option
Like the American platform Amazon, the Japanese service Rakuten has recently entered the streaming market. Rakuten has found a solution to stand out from its rivals: although it offers a comprehensive catalog of movies and documentaries to buy, some content is free of charge (if you don’t mind watching a few ads). Consequently, this VOD platform features no fewer than 100 free programs to watch during the lockdown!
Advantages
Thanks to Rakuten TV’s pay-per-view system, you only pay for the content you want to watch.
DISNEY+: a solution for (big) kids
The Disney+ SVOD platform has been available in France since April 7. The timing couldn’t have been better, as keeping your children (and yourself) busy during the lockdown is no easy task. For €6.99 a month, you can enjoy the entire Disney and Pixar catalog, but also the Marvel and Star Wars franchises. And why not watch every episode of The Simpsons?
For more information about this SVOD platform, you can read our article: Disney+: how to enjoy this streaming service and which compatible TVs and network media players to use.
SVOD STREAMING: on which devices?
Firstly, it is important to remember that all SVOD services require an internet connection (although it is possible to download your Netflix, Prime Video and Disney+ movies, series and documentaries so that you can watch them offline on your handheld device).
You can watch your programs via the website or application of your chosen SVOD platform on your smartphone, tablet or computer. Some of these services can even be accessed from a connected game console.
To enjoy your favorite programs on your television, you have several options:
- Do you have a Smart TV, a compatible internet router or an internet subscription that includes the service? Then all you have to do is download the application directly onto your TV and enter your username and password to enjoy all the content in the platform’s catalog.
- Do you still want to enjoy your SVOD programs on your TV even though you don’t own either of these devices? Don’t worry, there is always a solution! You have two options:
Option 1: Do you have a connected game console such as a Playstation 4 or an XBox One or a Chromecast? Simply download the app and enjoy all the content the service has to offer.
Option 2: Connect your computer to the TV using an HDMI cable and watch your favorite content on the big screen.
