We have Netflix, Amazon Prime and Disney+. I barely watch any TV at all, but the missus is a big series fan. I guess she finds something worth keeping in all of them. I couldn't care less about Netflix, I have Disney+ because I DO watch The Mandalorian, but I detest Amazon Prime with a passion. The mix of English, German, French and Italian in the descriptions (while having the thing set to English) drives me insane.

Must admit we're not big TV watchers either, I'd rather go and see an exhibition or a film even if it means being in a mask. Most of the people we know who have Netflix never seemed to venture out in the evenings pre Covid. My sister in Scotland is retired and seems to be tuned to Netflix permanently!

We’re another ExpressVPN user - Netflix, Prime, iPlayer, Disney+ etc all fine. Which is has been extremely useful with a 6 and 4 year old during lockdown!

From my experience: the service ExpressVPN works brilliantly. You can change your access location really well. It works usually for all countries including UK, US or AUS.

This also worked well with the streaming service BBCiPlayer - but only until recent months. The streaming providers are latching-on, and closing their software loopholes. I always loved being able to login to BBCIplayer, using a VPN switched to UK for example, but that doesn't work anymore.

Even if you are able to use a VPN to log-on to other sites like Amazon Prime, ABC.com or whatever, you will always be asked for a credit card. If that credit card is not within the allowed country, then you'll not be able to access that streaming site.

Sad but true

I just wish that somebody would come up with a combined package, like I have seen in other countries!

Like, Netflix + Amazon Prime Video or Netflix + Sy

Amazon Prime is only an advantage , when you can use the free shipment
without minimum purchase in germany.
Amazon Video does not have much to offer for my taste,netflix is much better
(running in 4k resolution).
Here in switzerland you can download anything you want .

Talking about amazon prime. I have the uk one, but I use it mostly for quick delivery and music on Alexa. I watch sometimes prime videos and always via vpn.
But just 2 days ago I discovered that my prime is working without vpn? A month ago I couldn’t watch doctor house for example without vpn , today is working without. I even downloaded app on my tv, before was streaming from my phone with vpn on to Apple TV.

Erm. Without a VPN, Netflix is well superior. That was the point of my original post. Amazon get you to sign up, and then when you try to access anything you get the same message : nah, not available.

I did enjoy Good Omens. I think with my next free trial I might watch the last series of The Man In The High Castle.

We signed up for our Netflix account while visiting family while in the USA and we get films, series and documentaries that those here in Switzerland such as my brother-in-law cannot access. Funky stuff, this.

Apple is the only streaming provider that has never done geoblocking. Their new subscription service is quite limited in content, but it's the same no matter where you travel. All they care about is what country you're paying in. I don't understand why the others can't just stick to that. If I'm paying in the US, then I should be able to watch US content wherever I travel. Netflix and Amazon have improved dramatically in recent years, but their content is still pretty lame compared to the US. Their VPN/DNS blocking has also improved, unfortunately. I was using Nord and got tired of always searching for a working connection.

I don't understand this cat and mouse game. As usual, expats lose.

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I would blame the studios and lawyers for carving up the world into different revenue streams. Netflix for the US and a separate deal with local telly or content provider in another region.

I suppose this is one instance where Apple’s closed system is a plus. But you’re right. Lawyers and legal interpretation is certainly to blame.