Netflix was the undisputed number 1 streaming provider for our TECHBOOK editor for years. However, that is slowly changing now and she catches herself more and more often on RTL+ – an opinion piece.
The streaming market is booming and not just since Corona. Netflix has finally made the dignified weekend on the sofa binge series socially acceptable and I will always be grateful to the provider for that. I have to admit that I spend an almost unhealthy amount of time consuming movies and series. All for work, of course (it would be nice…). For many years, I primarily did this with Netflix, rummaging through the media library for hours, only to get stuck with one of the first suggestions that appeared. In the past few weeks, however, I have hardly spent any time on the platform, which in retrospect really surprises me. I’m even more surprised that I invested this time in another streaming provider instead: RTL+.
RTL+ subscription that has hardly been used for years
I’ve actually had a subscription to RTL+, or at that time TVNOW, since 2017. I just barely used it for years. The account was primarily used to catch up on the episodes of the formats I followed at the weekend. That RTL seems to be running a big streaming offensive, maybe that’s why I only noticed marginally at first.
When series like “OC, California” were suddenly suggested to me in the media library, I was almost a bit annoyed. Okay, so RTL is now also upgrading. Another streaming service that I have to put some extra time into, at least for work. As a passionate series and film fan, you really have enough to do with Netflix, Disney+, Amazon, Sky, Joyn, Apple TV+, Viki and whatnot. But I started to really dig through the app for the first time and was quite surprised.
Also interesting: RTL + in the test – what can the streaming service do?
It’s the choice that counts
Not only did the genre sorting finally seem to work smoothly, I generally liked the selection at first glance. As a user, I am not overwhelmed by a mass of titles I have never heard of. Instead, well-known names mix with the provider’s own productions, which honestly surprised me in terms of their quality.
On the other hand, Netflix, which must also be an example for many other big streaming names, but is also a special case. Thanks to the recent drop in user numbers for the first time, the company seems to have finally understood that the tactic of the past few years, “mass over class”, cannot last forever.
Also interesting: After the loss of customers – Netflix wants to change strategy
Netflix, I love you, but…
Netflix users have felt like they’ve been under constant fire for some time now. Despite my enormous consumption, I haven’t been able to keep up for a long time. A new mega series here, a great new film with well-known stars there. I’d really like to see everything, but that’s a totally unrealistic goal. In addition, after an evening in front of the television, I was far too often disappointed by the quality of what I was seeing. As I said, there are also a lot of other streaming services, all of which scream: “Hello, here you get the really original content!”
And then I had to admit to myself that for a while now I’ve only seen the really big productions on Netflix: “The Witcher”, “Bridgerton”, “Squid Game” and Co. It’s just not enough for more. I therefore have high hopes for the company’s new policy. Now Netflix has to prove that the “quality over quantity” motto was actually meant seriously. In my opinion, RTL+ is doing a fantastic job.
…RTL+ is just nicer to me right now
At RTL+, I feel very well received as a user. Not only that the price of 4.99 euros (or 7.99 euros for the completely ad-free model) is significantly lower. I can still understand that, measured against the mass of in-house productions at Netflix. But while the giant leaves me alone in a pool of mediocrity, RTL+ takes me by the hand.
In addition to large universes such as “Star Trek”, there is also a true crime area that is really worth seeing. In my opinion, stories are often told in a more exciting way than the same American productions that show the same images over and over again in order to stretch a case of make or break to six to eight episodes. The area of German productions (consequently with a German service) is generally much better positioned.
RTL+ vs. Netflix: Conclusion
Even if I have very tactile, simple reasons why Netflix disappoints me and RTL+ excites me (price, selection, interface), gut feeling is really crucial for me. To be honest, I haven’t felt comfortable with Netflix for a long time. Of course, the two streaming services cannot be compared from a purely structural point of view. One seems to me more and more like a huge wholesaler where you can find everything: from premium refrigerators and cruises to junk alarm clocks. I’m overwhelmed, especially since every product has the potential to be a total failure. In this scenario, RTL+ is a much smaller but well-stocked supermarket where I like to spend my time. In general, my time at RTL+ feels a lot less wasted than after another frustrating Netflix session. And if I don’t want to fix anything on RTL+ on Sunday evening, I can always watch an old episode of “Let’s Dance”.