Video On Demand (VoD) services in New Zealand have been rising for a couple of years, but the growth multiplied when the pandemic hit. As a result, 2020 was a banner year for video streaming services, with movie theatres and any live entertainment shut down.
Consumers could only watch their favourite shows and movies using VoD services from home during a pandemic. Many streamers were looking for a TV guide to save time. These guides are also available for regional channels.
For example, TV guide for New Zealanders helps them find the schedule of their favourite quality shows and films. These guides are also available for all streaming platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Acorn TV.
Three more streaming services, namely, HBO Max, Peacock, and Quibi joined the growing New Zealand streaming services family. It gave Kiwi streamers additional viewing options, and currently, there are over 25+ streaming services in New Zealand.
In addition, New Zealanders discovered they could access other streaming services that aren’t available in the region using a VPN. It raises a question, is the VoD industry in New Zealand overwhelmed with choices? Let’s find out.
VoD Services Available in New Zealand
New Zealanders have plenty of options when choosing VoD services. While some VoDs can’t be accessed in New Zealand due to geographical restrictions, some are relatively new, while the rest are paid and free services.
Popular VoD services for Movies and Shows in New Zealand
You can access various streaming platforms to watch your favourite movies, documentaries, and TV shows in New Zealand. The following are five of the most popular TV shows, documentaries and movie streaming services. Also, check out online streaming sites.
Netflix New Zealand
Netflix NZ has a ton of content from award-winning TV shows, blockbuster movies, and incredible documentaries. More so, you can watch your favourite content on any device simultaneously, which makes the service a great option for family entertainment. Netflix NZ has over 5000 titles, targeting people of different age groups.
The genres include drama, romance, action, horror, sci-fi, etc. On Pricing Netflix NZ costs $11.99 a month for the basic subscription, standard for $16.99, and premium for $21.99. Popular shows include Ozark, Dead to Me, Lost Girls, Uncut Gems, Into The Night, etc.
Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Prime Video offers the best classic American movies and original shows in New Zealand. The streaming platform has various genres, including popular TV shows, movies, and documentaries.
The VoD streaming service works with all streaming devices and is ideal for binge-watching TV shows and classic movies.
Amazon Prime is available for $9 a month, with a 7-day free trial. Popular shows include Sneaky Pete, The Good Fight, Carnival Row, etc.
Acorn TV
Acorn TV is an American video subscription service that allows Kiwi streamers to watch British Media content, including documentaries and TV shows. The streaming service works with the leading streaming devices and operating systems.
The popular shows you can stream on Acorn TV include Vexed, A Place to Call Home, Finding Alice, London Kills, and more.
You can get a monthly subscription to Acorn TV for $7.99.
CuriosityStream
If you prefer watching interviews, factual videos, and documentaries, then you’ll love CuriosityStream. You get access to different genres, including technology, nature, science, society, kids, etc.
CuriosityStream focus on nature, science, and technology documentaries. Popular documentaries on the streaming platform include Speed, Heval, Ancient Earth, Out of the Cradle, The History of Food, and more.
CuriosityStream has a yearly plan for $69.99 and a monthly plan for $2.99.
DocPlay
It is another streaming platform that’s ideal for documentaries and docu-drama fans. The documentaries are categorized into sports, arts and culture, science, Australian stories, music, and nature.
The best documentaries to watch on DocPlay include Citizenfour, Girls Can’t Surf, The Cove, Hoop Dreams, The Summit, etc.
DocPlay has a monthly subscription for $6.95/month and a yearly subscription for $69.95/year.
As we mentioned earlier, there are over 25 VoD services in New Zealand, and other notable names include:
- Neon
- SkyGo
- HallMark Movies Now
- Mubi
- Disney Plus
- Vodafone TV
- Spark Sport
- WatchMe
- HBO Max
- Quibi
- TVNZ On Demand
- Three Now
- NZ On Screen
- Family First
- Maori TV
- HGTV
- Kanopy
- Tubi TV
- Choice TV On Demand
- Freeview on Demand
- NZ Film On Demand
- Thought Maybe
- Toon Goggles
- Peacock TV
- Ziln
- CONTV
Final Thoughts
There is something unique about every VoD service on this list, but you can’t subscribe to each one due to the heavy financial burden.
However, most Kiwi streamers have adopted the practice of subscribing to multiple streaming services to meet their entertainment needs. Cable cutting has been a trend for the last year, with most cord-cutters switching to Netflix or their favourite VoD service.
With over 25 VoD services to choose from, it’s safe to say that New Zealanders are overwhelmed. But if you’re keen enough, you can find one or two that best fit your entertainment needs.
