In addition to the big international names like Netflix and Disney+, there are also German streaming services, especially Joyn and RTL+. The two providers are pursuing a very similar strategy.
Anyone who likes to watch films and series has been in Cockaigne for quite some time. Many different providers lure with an enormous range of titles. In addition to the large, mostly American platforms, there is also the offer of the media groups ProSiebenSat.1 Media SE and Discovery as well as RTL in Germany. Both combine the live TV of their stations with a streaming media library and accordingly have a focus on German productions. So which of the two services should you subscribe to: Joyn or RTL+?
Joyn vs. RTL + – what can the streaming services do?
Behind the German provider Joyn is ProSiebenSat.1 Media SE and Discovery. The service now includes more than 60 channels in the stream and media library, including ProSieben, Sat.1, ARD, ZDF, DMAX, Nickelodeon and Comedy Central. In the meantime, in addition to the station content, there are also plenty of own productions and purchased titles, for example from the US market. Initially launched as a free platform, Joyn upgraded at the end of 2019 and added the Joyn Plus subscription service to its range.
The second streaming service, RTL+, on the other hand, belongs to the RTL media group and thus primarily includes the channels RTL and Vox, but also NITRO and ntv, for example. RTL created the platform for this back in 2007, at that time still under the name RTLnow, later also TVNOW. It was not renamed to RTL+ until 2021, but its own content has been produced since 2019.
Both services offer live television, which can be streamed in parallel and viewed later, as well as films, series and shows on the platforms.
Price
Joyn or Joyn Plus is available in two versions: The basic version “Joyn” is free and gives the user access to various content. “Joyn Plus” costs 6.99 euros per month; With the paid subscription, more titles are available and there are no advertising clips during streaming. In addition, new episodes of major series such as “Grey’s Anatomy” can be streamed before they are broadcast on TV. If you want to test the offer first, you can also take advantage of a free trial month.
RTL+ follows a slightly different concept: Although there is a free version with limited access, there are two other options. The premium package for EUR 4.99 per month grants access to the provider’s originals, delivers videos in higher quality and offers the so-called pre-TV option. Users can use it to stream episodes of popular formats such as “The Bachelor” before they are broadcast on linear TV. You can also use the RTL+ app from the premium tariff. The premium duo package is available for 7.99. In addition to the advantages just mentioned, this option is the only one that is completely ad-free and foreign content is also available with the original sound. In addition, two users can then stream simultaneously via the account.
content
Joyn and RTL+ each offer the content of the stations behind them. This is not only the decisive difference to other streaming services such as Netflix, but also the essential point that is important when deciding between the two providers.
At Joyn there are big TV shows like “German’s Next Topmodel”, “Late Night Berlin” or “Joko & Klaas”. With Joyn Plus, subscribers can also look forward to series like “Jerks”. There are also large US imports such as “Grey’s Anatomy” or “Seattle Firefighters”, but also films like “Zombieland”. For some time you can also find a lot of sports at Joyn (Plus). Everything that can be seen at Eurosport and ran, for example, is also available for streaming on the platform: from the Four Hills Tournament to the NFL to darts and the World Handball Championship. In addition, Joyn produces its own formats specifically for the streaming service, such as “Das Internat”.
Also interesting: The big streaming services in comparison
RTL+ comes up with its own station content, including shows like “The Bachelor”, “Princess Charming”, “Shopping Queen” or “Let’s Dance”. There is also purchased content such as “Downton Abbey”, “Dexter”, “OC, California” or “La La Land”. In comparison, it is noticeable that the names on RTL + are currently somewhat larger, but series such as “The Handmaid’s Tale” or “Outlander” are only available for a very limited time, in the cases mentioned, for example, often not with all seasons. In addition, there is now a lot of sport on RTL+, such as the UEFA Europa Conference League recently. RTL+ now also produces its own content for the service with series such as “Der König von Palma” and “Sisi”. Also a real tip: The crime section of the provider.
Availability
Both Joyn (Plus) and RTL+ can be accessed via app on various smart devices. The services are available on smartphones with Android 5 or iOS 11/12 or higher. The streaming services also work on various smart TVs, via Apple TV, Fire TV and Google Chromecast. At least Windows 7/8.1 or macOS X 10.11/10.6 is required for the web version. Unlike RTL+, Joyn can also be streamed on PS4 and PS5.
Conclusion: For whom which provider is worthwhile
If you are wondering whether you should subscribe to Joyn or rather RTL+, you are actually faced with a difficult decision. In terms of price, the two providers do not take much: With Joyn (Plus), the ad-free model is slightly cheaper, with RTL+, the three-part packages mean that there is more content for less money. Both services are available on almost all modern devices, and the apps are clear and intuitive in both cases.
In terms of content and the essentials of a streaming service, Joyn and RTL+ are also similarly well positioned. Both have a focus on German productions, with a well-developed proportion of well-known international series and films. As far as scope is concerned, RTL+ may be a bit ahead, but Joyn has a much more extensive range of sports apart from football and significantly more channels. The most important difference lies simply in the content of the station. So the question is, do you prefer to watch “The Voice” or “DSDS”? “GNTM” or “The Bachelor”? “The Masked Singer” or “Let’s Dance”? “Who sees the show” or “The Lion’s Den”?
The good thing is that both services are priced well below the international competition. So if you can’t make up your mind, you can also think about subscribing to both. Because the content on Joyn and RTL+ is not duplicated. In the future, a lot of content worth seeing could also be added to both of them, especially in the Originals area.