Struggling to decide whether Netflix or Lovefilm Instant is a more comprehensive streaming service? A new number-crunching study suggests you need to splash out for both, as almost every film or TV show available for streaming in the UK is exclusive to one or the other, but not both.
Statistics from Oric, a site we've previously covered that lists where you can legally watch TV shows online, shows that Lovefilm Instant offers a total of 3,284 movies, 3,015 of which are Lovefilm exclusives. Netflix, on the other hand, has a total of 1,668 films in its roster, 1,399 of which can't be found on Lovefilm.
Of films that came out in 2012, not a single one can be found on both services. And of the 187 movies released in 2011 that are present on both Lovefilm and Netflix, only one film (Hong Kong chop-socker Shaolin) can be found on both. The bottom line -- if you want anything even approaching a comprehensive movie and TV selection, you need to subscribe to both services.
On the TV front, only Netflix has popular shows such as Arrested Development, Breaking Bad and Dexter, while only Lovefilm gets 30 Rock, Battlestar Galactica and The Tudors. Lovefilm is lacking in The Thick of It, but curiously does lay claim to the special episodes.
Netflix has 412 TV shows in total, 322 of which can't be found on Lovefilm. Conversely, Lovefilm has 300 TV shows, 210 of which don't feature on the rival services.
But which one should I choose?
Deciding which service is better is a near-impossible task, as raw numbers of available films and TV shows don't indicate the quality of what's available (Nude Nuns with Big Guns is one of the few films available on both services, for example). Netflix deserves a bit of credit for featuring 41 films that were released last year, however, compared to Lovefilm Instant's more meagre 18.
It's fair to say, then, that Netflix is more up to date, while Lovefilm is more comprehensive. Netflix costs £5.99 per month, whereas Lovefilm Instant costs £4.99.
It's dismaying, however, to see how far we are in the UK from a service that's approaching something all-encompassing (unless you splash out for a pricey Sky subscription). I'm sure I'm not the only Brit who hates flicking from Netflix to iPlayer to the Xbox trying to find my favourite shows.
It's also worth noting that in the UK we're privy to far fewer titles than the US enjoys -- Netflix has a total of 1,668 movies in the UK for example, compared to 9,153 available flicks in the US.
Do you prefer Netflix or Lovefilm? Would you pay for both to get access to more movies and TV shows? Stream your sentiments into the comments below, or our fully comprehensive Facebook wall.
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Comments 20
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anonymous 16 January, 2013 18:25
I tried netflix a few months back and me and my other half found it massively disappointing. It seemed good for tv series but I certainly don't recall thier being that many movies not ones you would want to watch anyway
anonymous 16 January, 2013 18:43
Subscription to Netflix with an Unblock-US subscription, or change your router settings when using a gaming console or Apple TV, should do the trick for receiving the superior US version of Netflix.
anonymous 16 January, 2013 19:15
Great show of support for blockbuster here CNET!!!!! 1 story after announcing it is entering administration. Well done
anonymous 16 January, 2013 19:22
This is prime example of competition actually HARMING the consumer. Much like ESPN and Sky Sports
If you want to watch everything you need both (same with Sky and ESPN). Before this "competition" I could watch all the matches on Sky, but now I need to subscribe to both
anonymous 16 January, 2013 20:32
@anonymous 19:15 are you mental in the face? Its not cnets fault is it? NO! Did you work for blockbuster or something? If you do then I genuinely feel bad for you but cmon it isn't cnets fault or problem.
anonymous 16 January, 2013 20:34
Love film for blurays, never streaming - its horrible to use for that! netflix for streaming - its a pleasure to use, and has some cool touches. I just wish netflix had newer movies
anonymous 16 January, 2013 22:32
I prefer Netflix! Mainly because I prefer watching TV shows such as The Office and Top Gear as opposed to films. However when I do want to watch a film there's always one to choose on Netflix. I also find the UI much, much better than Lovefilms. Regarding the content I have had a look at the US Netflix and I've got to say its a little disappointing to see that they have a lot more content and more up to date content. But there's licensing issues involved and at the moment it suits my needs.
Lucas Baker 17 January, 2013 06:10
I have used both services and I prefer LoveFilm because it posts games which I find better than buying the games permanently however Netflix has a wider range of TV Programs and Movies.
anonymous 17 January, 2013 07:41
Both are crap, update your tv shows and movie's on the streaming online and maybe you'll get some customers back, instead you have ancient crap films on there.
Compared to the us version it's terrible, release it for the uk!
anonymous 17 January, 2013 10:53
As soon as YouView get's Netflix and LF on board it will solve any player flicking issues!
dougmet 17 January, 2013 12:13
After an initial viewing burst on Netflix I'm starting to run out of the films and TV shows I really want to watch. So I guess I'll switch between them rather than having both at once. By the time I switch back Netflix will have added some more stuff. This being said I don't currently own a device that does LoveFilm without plugging my laptop into the TV which is a pain. In fact a bit of a deal breaker at the moment.
Marc Crane 17 January, 2013 12:46
I did subscribe to both, but found I much preferred Netflix's UI, so cancelled LoveFilm. I'm just trialling a NowTV subscription too, and that, alongside Netflix seems to be ideal for my needs.
smalltownanimal 17 January, 2013 15:07
Yup, get yourself a proxy service and get US Netflix. Waaaaaaay better than the UK version and you won't need to subscribe to LoveFilm.
NowTV is pretty cool, but a little pricey and the UI isn't quite there yet. Worth keeping an eye on though.
billfred 20 January, 2013 15:19
Netflix's stream quality and UI won me over. Also the fact that you can use it on more than 2 devies, or is it 4 on Lovefilm? Whatever it is, it isn't enough.
anonymous 2 February, 2013 13:33
I have tried both lovefilm and netlix, netflix 6 months ago and lovefilm from then to present but i have to say, i have been bery dissapointed with lovefilm instant and the only thing keeping me on there is Heroes which i just found out is on netflix. When I had netflix, there were some movies that were good but not enough but as I browse the selection round a friends house I have decided to go back, especially as there is now many good tv shows!
anonymous 2 February, 2013 19:15
Yeah, I have to agree with with the general opinion on this. They are both pretty pants to be honest. 99% of anything I want to watch and actually search for just isn't available on either service. If you are used to getting discs in the post like I was on LOVEFiLM the selection is pretty up to date, but you try to find something like Star Wars or Terminator or any new releases that you can get on dvd and you will be disappointed if you plan on streaming them. They both better sort their selections out or I'll be sacking them both off! Good value in a round about way for £5 to £6 a month, but still very disappointing overall. The menu system is slightly better on Netflix, and I have experienced a lot of buffering on LOVEFiLM since I signed up. So if you're going to dip your toe in the water, I think Netflix just has the edge.
anonymous 14 February, 2013 11:04
They wonder why people have to pirate shows and movies to be up to date ???. Im a subscriber to both
and think netflix is the better one to use hands down . The content of both tbh is pretty pathetic , i own most of the decent netflix stuff on VHS !!! . its good for american series , but they are still a long way behind what i can find elsewhere ...
There has to be a change in attitude to the way the movie companies treat thier customers . Its a sad state of affairs when the movie companies treat thier worldwide customers as second class citizens just because of where they live ???
Matt Coulson 16 March, 2013 21:59
ive had both but now i just prefer using free sites as they have it all on one site :)
anonymous 17 March, 2013 21:30
until they get this sorted out I will continue to get all my TV shows from piratebay...
anonymous 3 April, 2013 23:53
i use piratebay to download and watch tv shows and films but if i had to choose from LF or netflix id pick netflix because ive had both and LF is so much more confusing then netflix.