How Streaming Is Changing Our Entertainment Options

Last Updated on November 19, 2024

The recent news that Amazon Prime Video is extending its service in New Zealand is the latest sign that streaming services are continuing to boost the way we get our entertainment. How are the latest options giving us fresh ways to access classic types of entertainment?  

Amazon Prime Add-Ons Offer More Streaming Choice

It’s recently been announced that NZ customers of the Amazon Prime Video service will be able to get add-on subscription services on top of the basic package. These include the likes of Hayu and MGM+, adding a whole new range of viewing options, including films such as Fargo and the US version of The Real Housewives. Other add-on options include Crunchyroll, DocPlay, and Lionsgate+.

There are 14 subscription services of this type that can be added and cancelled at any time. Another change announced by Amazon will see a new Prime Video Store opening in NZ. You can rent or buy movies like Beetlejuice Beetlejuice and Joker: Folie à Deux here even if you don’t have a Prime Video subscription.

The arrival of streaming services like this has changed the way we watch movies and TV shows. Netflix reported a total of 1.3 million subscribers in NZ in 2023, with over six million in Australia. Acorn TV provides an alternative, with a strong emphasis on British programming. The average New Zealander watches almost two hours of TV each day, according to a 2021 study by Glasshouse Consulting, with streaming gaining ground — although traditional TV channels still hold a sizeable audience share during peak viewing time in the evening.

With a steady stream of new movies and shows needed by these services, it’s worth looking out for those that contain a degree of local interest. Chief of War is a historical drama featuring Jason Momoa that is set to be shown on Apple TV+. It’s based on the story of the wars that led to the unification of Hawaii, and filming was carried out in New Zealand, with Bay of Islands used to represent 18th-century Hawaii.  

Live Casino Games

The arrival of live-streaming has changed the way New Zealanders play gambling games too. Live dealer games like blackjack and roulette give a new way of playing a classic with a human presenter. The popularity of this type of playing has led to a new genre of live game shows, where the format can include elements such as a spinning lucky wheel, wall of symbols, or dice.

This look at the top-paying online casinos covers names like Neon Vegas Casino and Vegas Now Casino which have entered the market. These casinos all have a high return to player (RTP) which means that they expect to pay out regular wins to players. The majority include a live casino section, together with jackpot pokies and other ways of gambling.   

Discover New Podcasts

The ease with which we can stream podcasts on any device has opened up a new type of entertainment that lets us find out about virtually any subject under the sun. The RNZ podcasts list a variety of NZ-focused shows, including those based on current news stories. We can see The Last Voyage of the Rainbow Warrior and Thrift among their latest releases. When the Facts Change, presented by Bernard Hickey, is another podcast with a strong local appeal.

This is also a convenient way of discovering local history, with the RNZ Black Sheep and The Aotearoa History Show giving us different perspectives on the past. Many of the best NZ podcasts can be found on streaming platforms like Spotify, giving instant access to a great range of shows that let you listen to different views while being entertained.

The Big Sporting Events 

As a nation of sports lovers, it’s no surprise that New Zealanders have turned to streaming to enjoy their favourite sports. A look at the Flicks site reveals all the current and upcoming sporting events to be shown live, with rugby, football, and boxing among the highlights.

This summary of how to watch the autumn internationals confirms that we can see the biggest rugby games between the top nations on Sky Sports NZ. Meanwhile, the same service recently carried the NZ vs Sri Lanka T20I cricket series.

These options are helping to give us new ways to enjoy the activities that have always been popular, but haven’t always been as easy to access as they are now. With streaming continuing to grab our attention in these and other areas, expect to see a lot more entertainment on your screens in the future.