Paramount+ vs. Netflix: Which Streaming Service Has the Best Content?

If you're deciding between Paramount+ and Netflix right now, you're not alone. Millions of people are cutting cable and trying to figure out which streaming service actually gives them more for their money. It’s not just about how many shows there are-it’s about what kind of shows, how often new ones drop, and whether you’ll actually watch them. Netflix has been the giant for over a decade. Paramount+ is the newcomer trying to catch up. But in 2025, the game has changed.

What You Get on Netflix

Netflix still leads in volume. It has over 7,000 titles in its library, including more than 1,500 original series and movies. That’s not just a number-it’s a strategy. Netflix spends about $17 billion a year on content, more than any other streamer. You get everything from Stranger Things and Bridgerton to Squid Game and The Crown. These aren’t just popular-they’re cultural events. When a new season drops, it’s talked about everywhere.

But here’s the catch: Netflix’s library changes constantly. A show you loved last month might vanish next month because the licensing deal expired. That’s why many users feel like they’re always searching, never settling. The algorithm pushes you toward something new, but it doesn’t always know what you really want. You might spend 20 minutes scrolling and end up watching the same documentary for the third time.

Netflix also offers live sports in some countries, including New Zealand. But it’s limited-mostly soccer and rugby matches, not full seasons or major events like the NFL or NBA. If you’re looking for live TV, Netflix isn’t your best bet.

What Paramount+ Actually Offers

Paramount+ doesn’t try to be everything. It’s focused. It’s built on a library of classic TV and movies from CBS, MTV, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, and Paramount Pictures. That means you get Star Trek: Discovery, Yellowstone, Seinfeld, and The Godfather trilogy-all in one place.

What sets Paramount+ apart is its live content. In New Zealand, you can stream live CBS, Paramount Network, and local sports like the NFL, NCAA basketball, and UEFA Champions League. If you’re a sports fan, this matters. You don’t need a separate cable package. The live TV feed is included in the Premium plan, which costs $14.99 NZD per month.

Paramount+ also has exclusive originals you won’t find anywhere else. 1883, the prequel to Yellowstone, drew over 10 million viewers in its first week. The Offer, about the making of The Godfather, was critically praised. These aren’t cheap knockoffs-they’re high-budget, well-written stories backed by decades of film history.

Original Content Showdown

Netflix has the edge in quantity. But Paramount+ has the edge in quality for certain genres.

Netflix’s originals are hit-or-miss. They release dozens every year, and only a few become breakout hits. Most fade away after one season. You’ll find more bad Netflix shows than good ones. It’s a numbers game.

Paramount+ takes a slower, smarter approach. They focus on franchises with loyal audiences. Star Trek has been around since the 1960s. Yellowstone is one of the most-watched dramas on TV. Paramount+ isn’t chasing trends-it’s doubling down on what already works.

If you love sci-fi, westerns, or classic sitcoms, Paramount+ delivers more consistent value. If you want the latest teen drama or Korean thriller, Netflix still wins.

Price and Plans

Netflix’s basic plan in New Zealand starts at $15.99 NZD/month. It’s HD only, no downloads, and you can’t share passwords with people outside your household. The standard plan is $21.99 NZD/month-two screens, HD, and downloads. Premium is $27.99 NZD/month for 4K and four screens.

Paramount+ has two plans: Essential at $11.99 NZD/month (with ads) and Premium at $14.99 NZD/month (ad-free, live TV, 4K). That’s cheaper than Netflix’s standard plan and includes live sports and news. If you want to watch live CBS or the NFL, Paramount+ is the only one that gives you that without paying extra.

Paramount+ also offers a yearly discount. Pay $119.99 upfront and save over 20%. Netflix doesn’t offer annual plans at all.

Who Is This For?

Choose Netflix if:

• You want the biggest library of originals
• You like binge-watching global hits like Money Heist or Dark
• You don’t care about live TV or sports
• You’re okay paying more for fewer guarantees

Choose Paramount+ if:

• You love Yellowstone, Star Trek, or classic sitcoms
• You want live sports and news without extra fees
• You prefer fewer but higher-quality originals
• You want more value for less money

There’s no single winner. It depends on what you watch. If you’re a sports fan or a fan of long-running franchises, Paramount+ gives you more bang for your buck. If you’re chasing the next viral sensation, Netflix still has the edge.

What You’re Missing

Neither service has everything. Netflix doesn’t have the latest season of NCIS or 60 Minutes. Paramount+ doesn’t have Stranger Things or Wednesday. That’s why many households in Auckland now use both.

But if you can only pick one, ask yourself: Do you want to watch the next big thing-or the things you already know you love?

Paramount+ isn’t trying to beat Netflix at its own game. It’s playing a different one. And in 2025, that’s working.

Final Thought

There’s no right answer. But if you’re tired of paying more for less, Paramount+ is the smarter choice. It doesn’t need to be the biggest. It just needs to be the one you actually watch. And in 2025, that’s what matters most.