Winner: Stan

Stan just wins out here. They’re the cheapest on-demand service of the three for multiple screens. Foxtel Now comes in a close second – but the content offering varies so significantly depending on the price you pay that it’s hard to get a good feel for its value.

User Interface

Haven’t we discussed Foxtel Now yet? Oh right, uh… Well, they do have those same park tiles that every streaming service adopts. On the desktop, they distribute their content out into TV Shows, Movies, Sport and also separate by Channels. It’s not bad — it’s pretty much a streaming application standard to showcase content like this — it just looks a little dated in comparison. Functionally, it’s pretty easy to find what you’re after – but for getting new things? Almost irrelevant.

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Winner: Netflix

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Australian Content:

The two ‘local’ players in the game – Stan and Foxtel Now – both have a stash of Aussie content with Stan championing new shows like Wolf Creek, Romper Stomper, and The Other Guy. They also promote Australian stand up specials. Big tick.

Foxtel Now has a range of locally generated content that you can find on their On Demand service back program and bigger movies like Wentworth, the recently-released Picnic At Hanging Rock, Gogglebox, Great Australian Bake Off and a host of lifestyle productions.

Foxtel Now operates more like a commercial free-to-air channel mixed with an on-demand service than a dedicated streaming site like Stan or Netflix, so it has a lot more traditional Aussie programming, too. Where your allegiances lie here will likely depend on the type of ‘TV’ you like to stream – Foxtel certainly have the lifestyle section covered, whereas Stan is more about original Australian dramas.

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Winner: Stan

If Stan wasn’t the winner in this class we’d be lying. They’ve shown a strong dedication to producing and sharing original Aussie content and, for the most part, it has been held well. With pockets far more shallow than the big N or Foxtel, they’re clearly on top. Worth noting in this section that streaming services like iView and Channel 7, 9 and 10s services obviously have a great selection of Australian content, if that’s what you’re after.

Exclusive Programming

Looking across Netflix-only content, it’s hard to go past them. Some of their Originals have become a part of the Best Shows Ever conversations, kicked off by their first forays into the space with House of Cards and Orange Is The New Black. A slew of Marvel-based productions kicked their programming up a notch and then you’ve got the new stuff trickling in from even further locations – The Rain being a good example of that. They even somehow snagged Annihilation in Australia, instead of a cinema release.

Their Originals make Stan look pretty sad in comparison — but, as of writing, Australian content isn’t filtering through. Hopefully, that becomes in the future. It’s one area where Netflix can increase, down under, should they want to.

Foxtel doesn’t certainly have “originals” but they do hold the rights to a lot of great shows and get the first crack at anything that HBO does. HBO casts a long Jon-Snow-shaped shadow, too, with both Games of Thrones and Westworld airing on Foxtel Now. Arguably two of the biggest TV shows in the world, it’s hard to fight against the strategy. They also have benefits to the AFL, NRL, Cricket, Basketball… the list is long. We have to talk about Live Sports Programming in here too and, right now, Netflix and Stan cannot compete there.

Did we mention some of Stan’s programming above, with a focus on the Australian side of things but Stan-only content? They’ve got way to Showtime, so you can see some great TV such as Billions, Twin Peaks and classics like The Tudors and Dexter. Outside of that, their list of performance series is pretty long, but it doesn’t come close to matching Netflix.

Winner: Tie

Not a clear victory for Netflix, who has been around the longest and sleep on beds of dollar bills. That fact does translate to some great original content but Foxtel Now has the big buying power. Their sports bags and the biggest shows in the world mean there’s a legitimate idea to get in, depending on your tastes. We’ve chalked it up as a tie.

Outside Australia

One of the more combine aspects of all these streaming services is the fact that Netflix has such a large and varied content library based on the fact that it is a global brand. Foxtel Now can’t be used outside of Australia, unfortunately, and Stan is Australia-only too – so what you see is what you get. However, as we’ve noted many times before, other Netflix archives can be obtained via VPN and these can give you access to a ton more content that is usually blocked.

However, Stan does allow you to download TV shows and store them on your device for a set period of time. Once you’ve started watching something, it has an expiry time limit – so you have to watch it in the allotted time – but this could get around those situations where you want to travel and binge a show on the plane. Netflix offers a similar service, but with access the world over, it’s less useful unless you’re using it for those long-haul flights.

Foxtel Now, you’re dead to us. Sadly, their service does not allow use outside of Australia or downloads.

Of course, if you’re savvy enough to be using a VPN to access different Netflix regions, you’re likely also savvy enough to use it to access Australia-only content. Make of that what you will.

Winner: Netflix

As the only service here that works while you’re traveling without any issues — and the fact you can access those international libraries if you’re savvy enough — puts Netflix at the top of the pile.

The Amazon In The Room

Amazon Prime shuffles awkwardly into the circle, smiling at the other streaming services with a crooked grin that only half fills its face. Netflix makes a joke that everybody laughs at. Stan pats it on the back in that congratulate-your-mates kind of way but Netflix doesn’t even notice. Amazon Prime just shuffles sideways, trying to find the right beat – the right moment – to mix its laughter in with the rest of the crowd.

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Amazon Prime smiles and waves as Stan takes off. “I didn’t even get to tell them I’m only $2.99USD a month. I’m the cheapest there is. I didn’t even get to tell them about Goliath or Sneaky Pete.” And on that day, Amazon Prime vowed that it would show them all – Stan, Foxtel Now, Netflix. Amazon Prime vowed it would take over the world.

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Conclusion

Sadly, Foxtel Now couldn’t register an outright win in any single category but there are some very valid reasons that it should still be considered in the final verdict. For one: Sports. Any sports nut is going to need to seriously think about investing the $39 a month it costs to subscribe to Foxtel Now. Somewhat frustratingly, I do. It’s the only service that provides me with the ability to watch 1080p Australian sport. That’s a huge drawcard. However, it’s expensive, it segregates all its content into specific packs and it just looks a little outdated.

Stan, competing with the biggest streaming service the planet has ever seen, puts up an admirable fight. They’re well-priced, full of great Aussie content and have a feature set not all that dissimilar from Netflix.

But the great Big Red N still takes home the streaming crown right now. Their list of Originals only gets longer, they’ve pretty much monopolized the streaming space and their brand has become synonymous with streaming. You don’t say “Want to stream and chill?” you say “Netflix and chill”. Few brands get to that level of recognition. Their superior content offering, excellent UI, advanced algorithms and embedment within the cultural zeitgeist solidifies them as the Australian Streaming Champion.