An all-you-need-to-know look at the global juggernaut of streaming
Ever since it came to our shores in 2016 as part of a huge global expansion, Netflix has more or less become THE streaming service in Ireland. But why the excessive market share? Why is it so good? And how much is it going to set you back if you subscribe? Let’s find out together…
How much does Netflix cost for Irish subscribers?
If you’re just out to take a speculative look at what Netflix IE can offer, it’ll set you back nothing at all (for 30 days, at least). Should you decide to get on board after that point, you’ll need to commit to one of three different paid subscriptions: Basic, Standard or Premium.
The shallow end of the pool is Basic, a €7.99 per month tier that will only provide you with a Standard Definition (SD) stream that can only be used by one user at a time. The next step up is Standard, a €10.99 per month option that bumps the quality up to High Definition (HD) and you can now share the stream with another device. Lastly, we have Premium, the deep end of the pool. For €13.99 you can have resolutions up to and including Ultra High Definition (4K or UHD) and your entertainment can be beamed to 4 devices at a time.
What devices are compatible with Netflix Ireland?
The simplest experience is to turn on your Mac or PC desktop and then point your favourite browser towards www.netflix.com. The site will automatically detect which country you’re in, then it’s a simple matter of entering your account details to start watching right away.
Alternatively, you can watch Netflix on your Android and iOS smartphone or tablet. Access your device’s storefront (App store or Google Play), search for Netflix and then download away. Enter your account details once you’ve installed and launched it – enjoy more entertainment than you could ever hope to watch.
Last but not least, Netflix enjoys a high degree of capability with many smart TVs and gaming consoles (i.e. Xbox One and PlayStation 4). In all cases for the aforementioned, you’ll find a dedicated app waiting in their respective stores.
What content does Netflix Ireland offer?
In a nutshell: more quality films and TV than you could ever hope to get through. If a big-name movie is about to make the transition from theatres to small screens, Netflix generally is the first place they’ll land. This obviously won’t always be the case in the future as fledgling services (like Walt’s Disney+ competitor) will soon hold exclusivity on everything Pixar and Marvel Studios. But, for now, Netflix is the undisputed king of blockbusters.
You can also count on a huge library of long-form entertainment. Netflix is chock-a-block full of binge-watchable boxsets – a fairly even mix of classics you grew up with and the hottest shows people are obsessed with around your office watercooler.
Lastly, over the past few years, Netflix has taken steps to move from being a mere curator of entertainment to a bonafide creator. Netflix Originals – exclusive films and TV shows that star top-tier talent and are funded with impressive budgets – have exploded in popularity. Rotten Tomatoes is awash with 90%+ rated efforts like Stranger Things, Big Mouth, Master of None, The End of the F—ing World, The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, American Vandal, G.L.O.W., BoJack Horseman and more.
Does Netflix Ireland offer a free trial?
You can demo Netflix for 30 days, but there’s a catch (isn’t there always?). You’ll need to sign up to the service with an email, a password and some sort of payment details. Once your trial period ends Netflix will happily start charging you fees to continue using it. However, there’s no contract in place – simply set yourself a calendar reminder and cancel the service before your 30 days are up.
How much data does Netflix Ireland use?
All content on Netflix Ireland is properly authorised and uses Content Delivery Network (CDN) technology to deliver content to ensure stable streaming for the best viewing experience. Note: these are all rough estimates only. Your mileage may vary.