I’m streaming of a Neon Christmas (and Netflix, Amazon, Acorn, Apple, Disney ... )

• Date: 28 November 2020
• Published date: 28 November 2020
• Publication title: Weekend Herald

With the carefree combo of Christmas holidays and the scattering of stat days rapidly approaching, coupled with the wet and wild unpredictability of our weather at this time of year, now’s the perfect time to wade in and see which streaming services float your boat.

Acorn TV

On Acorn TV you’ll find only the best of British, like those gritty British crime thrillers, intriguing mysteries and lavishly produced dramas that they do so well.

There’s a solid mix of older favourites like Poirot, Cold Feet and Broadchurch as well as the latest and greatest premium shows like the incredibly popular police thriller Line of Duty and the BBC’s acclaimed new mini-series, Anthony.

Recommended for: Those who prefer quality over quantity and, of course, ex-pats.

Verdict: Acorn TV is a Brit of all right.

Cost: $7.99 a month. Seven-day free trial.

Website: au.acorn.tv

Amazon Prime Video

The online retail giant express shipped itself into the streaming space with a massive range of movies and TV shows a few years back. In New Zealand we’re bereft of the free shipping perk that comes with being a Prime member meaning the streaming service has to stand on its own. Which, thanks to the unholy amount of cash Amazon has pumped into it, it does.

APV’s draws are the whopper-budgeted, attention-grabbing, originals. The most notable was launch series The Grand Tour, which saw Top Gear’s Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond speeding over from the BBC.

Since, they’ve steadily built a top library of original movies and shows including many must-sees, like the news-making hidden camera comedy Borat 2, brutal anti-superhero series The Boys, and the acclaimed TV adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s Good Omens.

Recommended for: Those who miss aimlessly wandering around a video store (remember those?) for hours trying to decide what to watch.

Verdict: Amazon Prime Video delivers.

Cost: US$5.99 a month (about $9). Seven-day free trial.

Website: primevideo.com

AnimeLab

Once the preserve of hardcore devotees, Japanese animated movies and shows have exploded in popularity in recent years, largely thanks to their relatively new ease of availability.

And it gets no easier than AnimeLab. It’s positively bubbling over with shows and movies that will satisfy both a casual audience after the big names like Naruto, One Piece and Dragon Ball Z as well as long-term fans after more esoteric stuff like Death Note, Demon Slayer and Tokyo Ghoul. History buffs can even dig out classics dating all the way...