BFI streaming service: how BFI+ Player compares to Netflix, Amazon Prime Instant Video, Now TV and Curzon Home Cinema

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Updated on 05 November 2015 | 1 Comment

As the BFI launches a new film streaming service, we look at what you get for your money with BFI Player+ and how it compares to rivals like Netflix.

The British Film Institute (BFI) has launched a new film streaming service called BFI Player+, offering audiences some of the best classic and critically-acclaimed films.

It promises to show “hand-picked, expertly-selected” films with film critic Mark Kermode picking a film of the week each week.

We’ve taken a look at what’s on offer and how it compares to other film streaming services.

How much does BFI Player+ cost?

BFI Player+ costs £4.99 a month with no minimum contract. New users can sign up for a 30-day free trial. It's available on browsers, smartphones, and tablets.

BFI Player+ is designed to work alongside the existing BFI Player, a pay-per-view service in which film fans can rent new indie movies from the BFI. Per-per-view films cost £2.50 for standard definition and £3.50 to watch in high definition.

So if you’re already watching two or more BFI films a month it’s worth signing up for the new subscription service.

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What kind of films are on offer?

BFI Player+ is for serious film fans and those that enjoy British made films. The BFI claims audiences can enjoy the “essential classics” and says the new service “complements the mainstream services”. In other words, it has different films.

About 300 titles are available including Battleship Potemkin (1925), The Lodger (1927), The Red Shoes (1948), Seven Samurai (1954) and Godzilla (1954).

There are also various 'collections' available too including British classics, Japanese classics, horror and indie.

BFI Player+ is also focused on reflecting the cultural output of the BFI, with some collections grouped around BFI festivals such as the BFI London Film Festival, and also BFI Flare LGBT film festival, as well as major projects such as 2014’s SCI-FI or 2015’s LOVE blockbuster seasons.

How does BFI Player+ compare with Netflix, Amazon Prime and Now TV?

The days of buying or renting the latest films on DVD are behind us – movie fans can get the latest release streamed to them instantly.

Netflix is probably the best known streaming service and offers TV boxsets as well as films. As far as movies go, it has thousands, but mainly back catalogue stuff with the odd latest release blockbuster thrown in. Its cheapest option is £5.99 a month for streaming on one device at a time.

Amazon Prime Instant Video also offers a subscription-based streaming service. Amazon Prime users get it included in their £79 a year subscription, otherwise it’s £5.99 a month. The films on offer are similar to those on Netflix, with a few more new releases thrown in.

Another option is Now TV, owned by Sky, which offers access to various Sky content depending on which pass you buy. However, it’s more expensive than the other options. Now TV’s Sky Movies Month Pass costs £9.99 a month for all of the Sky Movies channels, with films available to be streamed as they are shown on TV or watched on demand at any time.

What about MUBI and Curzon Home Cinema?

Perhaps a more direct rival to BFI Player+ is MUBI, which shows cult, classic, independent, and award-winning movies. It has a new film every day and you have a whole month to watch it – so that’s 365 films a year. At £4.99 a month it’s the same price as BFI Player+, but has a lot less on offer at any one time.

Curzon Home Cinema offers film fans the chance to see the latest big releases at home on demand, often on the same day as the cinema release. There’s no subscription service though – it’s pay-per-view, with films costing from £2 for older films and up to £10 for the latest releases.

Love streaming films? Bag a better broadband deal with our friends at broadbandchoices.co.uk

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