Streaming in Switzerland: what is it and what does it offer?
Streaming means you get a flat rate for films and series. The best-known streaming services compared at Comparis.
06.12.2024
istock / AleksandarNakic
1. Streaming series and films in Switzerland: how does it work?
With streaming, you can watch movies and series online. You can play videos on demand. This lets you fast forward in both directions as well as pause.
Internet speed for streaming: what do I need?
HD quality films require a speed of at least 5 Mbps. For Ultra-HD resolution, you need a speed of at least 25 Mbps. You can test your internet speed here.
Basically, an internet connection from a Swiss provider is sufficient. Modern internet contracts usually have the required speed.
2. Which Streaming providers are available in Switzerland and how do they differ?
In Switzerland, there are many international streaming services such as Netflix and Disney+. With Blue+ and Play Suisse, however, two Swiss alternatives are also available. Each platform offers a different range of films and series, with some titles available on multiple platforms.
The Justwatch film and series database functions as a streaming search engine. You can also check Matchflix to see which films are available on the different platforms. Most suppliers also offer in-house productions. These are not available on other platforms.
At Amazon Prime Video you will find over 7,000 films and series. The offer ranges from old film classics to modern children’s series. Amazon also produces its own content – such as “The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power” or “The Boys”.
Amazon Prime Video has a larger range of videos in Switzerland than in Germany or Austria, for example. There are no offers such as free streaming with advertising and TV streaming in Switzerland.
Apple TV+ offers a rather small selection of over 250 films and series. However, Apple focuses on its own productions. For example, the film “Coda” was the first production from a streaming provider to win the Oscar for the best film in 2022.
You can also find celebrity documentaries on Apple TV+. For example: Billie Eilish and Lionel Messi.
Blue+ is an offer from Swisscom. You can choose from different packages. There are options for movies and series as well as sports. Swisscom does not offer any in-house productions.
Blue+ also has offers that give you access to multiple streaming services. For example: with Blue Super Max, you have access to Sky Cinema, Disney+ and Paramount+.
Disney+shows films and series from various studios of the Walt Disney Company:
Disney with live-action film adaptations. This also includes remakes of formerly animated films such as “The Little Mermaid” and “Aladdin”.
Walt Disney Animation Studios with animated films and series. Examples are “Moana” and “Frozen”.
Pixar with animated films and series. Pixar includes “Inside Out” and “Monsters Inc”.
Lucasfilm Ltd. with the “Star Wars” and “Indiana Jones” franchises.
Marvel Studios with almost all films and series.
Searchlight Pictures with live-action films as well as animated films and series. Well-known films from Searchlight Pictures include “Slumdog Millionaire” and “The Menu”.
20th Century Studios with a wide selection of films and series.
Some films and series are only available on Disney+. On the platform, there are also channels from:
National Geographic with documentaries.
Star with films and series for a young and adult target group. Hulu original series are also included.
Netflix is the most used streaming service in Switzerland. Here you will find the largest selection with over 7,600 films and series.
The platform is also known for its high-quality and original own productions. These include “Stranger Things” and “Bridgerton”. With its own productions, Netflix was the film studio with the most Oscar nominations in 2024.
Paramount includes (among others):
Paramount Pictures with film franchises such as “Mission Impossible” and “Top Gun”.
CBS with series and shows such as “Big Brother” and “NCIS”.
Nickelodeon with content for children such as “SpongeBob SquarePants” and “Paw Patrol”.
Comedy Central with comedic content such as “South Park” and “The Daily Show”.
MTV with shows such as “Catfish” and “RuPaul’s Drag Race”.
Paramount+ offers content to stream from these studios and TV stations.
Play Suisse is SRG’s streaming service. Here you will find above all Swiss productions. They are mostly in-house and co-productions of SRF, RTS, RSI and RTR.
Play Suisse also cooperates with festivals in Switzerland. The provider also has a European Collection. Productions by the public broadcasters of Germany and France.
Sky Show includes a portion of Sky’s streaming service. In addition to Sky Show, there is also Sky Sport and the Sky Store.
Sky Show shows, among other things, films and series from US streaming providers, such as HBO. These include, for example, “Game of Thrones” and “Matrix Resurrection”. Sky also has various in-house productions.
Broadcaster media libraries
Various broadcasting groups offer their media libraries online – often free of charge. However, they sometimes get additional benefits for a monthly fee. For example: you can watch new episodes of a series a week earlier.
Good to know: the offers of German media libraries are limited in Switzerland at most. This is due to licensing rights, some of which are limited to certain countries.
3. How much does Streaming in Switzerland cost?
As a general rule, you pay a monthly flat rate and can use the service at will. Some providers also offer a discounted annual subscription.
Play Suisse is free. It is financed by Serafe fees.
| Price | Free trial | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon Prime Video | 9.99 CHF per month | 7 days | – |
| Apple TV+ | 10.90 CHF per month | 7 days | By purchasing an Apple device you can use Apple TV+ for free for three months.. Alternatively, there is also the Apple One offer. In addition to Apple TV+, there are other offers included. Costs: 23.90 francs to 40.90 francs. The free trial period lasts one month. |
| Disney+ | Can be cancelled monthly: 7.90–20.90 francs per month. Can be cancelled annually: 149–209 francs per year. |
– | There are three subscription options. They differ according to
Disney+ has announced that it will take action against account sharing. This means: if you want to share your account with someone outside the household, you have to add an additional member. You can only add one more member. Depending on the subscription, this may cost 6.90 francs or 7.90 francs. |
| Netflix | 12.90 to 27.90 CHF per month | – | There are three subscription options. They differ according to
|
| Blue+ | Between 19.90 CHF and 49.90 CHF per month, depending on package. | – | You can subscribe to different packages with Blue+, depending on your interests. With the annual subscription, you pay less per month than with the monthly subscription. For more information, see the article about Blue+ |
| Sky | 12.90 CHF to 24.90 CHF per month | – | Sky distinguishes the prices according to the scope of the usable offer. With the cheapest plan, there is advertising before the start of a video. After six months without interruption of the subscription, the prices will decrease. |
| Paramount+ | 12 CHF per month, annual subscription for 120 CHF per year | 7 days | – |
Last updated: December 2024
Some providers also allow you to buy individual films and series. A subscription is not required. The advantage of buying: you can watch even after you cancel your subscription.
When you can cancel the subscription depends on the selected model. Monthly subscriptions can usually be cancelled on a monthly basis. Exceptions: Blue+ has a minimum term of 6 to 12 months. You must cancel annual subscriptions after one year at the earliest.
Each platform offers different payment options. However, all of them allow you to pay by credit card.
| Paypal | Voucher | Mobile/internet bill | Other | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon Prime Video | No | No | Yes, Swisscom | – |
| Apple TV+ | No | Yes, Apple gift card | Yes, Sunrise and Swisscom | – |
| Disney+ | Yes | No | Yes, Swisscom | Apple App Store, Google Play Store |
| Netflix | Yes | Yes, Netflix gift card | Yes, Sunrise and Swisscom | – |
| Blue+ | No | No | Yes, Swisscom | – |
| Sky | No | No | Yes, Swisscom | Twint |
| Paramount+ | No | No | Yes, Swisscom | iTunes, Google Play, Amazon |
Last updated: December 2024
4. How can I use these services (TV/online)?
Depending on the provider, you have different options for using streaming services.
Streaming on Smart TVs
You can usually use the services via apps on smart TVs with internet access. For TV subscriptions offered by telecom providers, the apps are often pre-installed on the TV boxes.
If the desired app is not installed, you can also download it. However, not all devices support all streaming providers. You can usually find a list of compatible devices at the respective provider.
Streaming without a TV
Streaming is also possible without a TV:
Smartphones and Tablets
Game consoles such as PlayStation and Xbox
On the Website of the streaming service
Streaming services have apps for Windows computers as well as Macs.
5. In which languages can I watch series and films?
All films are offered in their original language. There is often also a synchronised version in German. Plus, most providers have subtitles in different languages.
6. Can I download series and films for offline use?
Almost all providers allow you to download series and movies. This lets you watch even without an internet connection. However, Some of the downloads are only available for a limited time.
Play Suisse does not (yet) offer this option. With Apple TV+, only people with Apple devices can watch offline. Users with other devices always need an internet connection.
7. Is there any advertising?
Disney+ and Sky Show now offer subscriptions with advertising in Switzerland. For this, the subscription costs less. Netflix and Amazon also have advertising models. However, these do not exist in Switzerland.
8. Do I have access to films from all over the world?
The offer differs depending on the country. For example, less content is available in Switzerland than in the USA. This is because of purchasing and licensing.
Using a VPN however allows you to access services from different countries.
A VPN encrypts your internet connection and changes your IP address to a location of your choice. Use of a VPN is generally legal. Exceptions: when used to conceal illegal activities.
A good VPN needs a stable and fast connection. Otherwise, videos may be interrupted while streaming. Good providers therefore charge a fee. Before getting a VPN subscription, find out whether you can stream with the provider.
9. Which is the best streaming service?
Which streaming service is best for you depends on your personal needs and preferences. All streaming providers have a wide range of different genres. However, Sometimes one account isn't enough to cover all the films and series you want.
Not sure which streaming service to subscribe to? Then you can use the trial period offered by the platforms. This lets you pick one or more providers without having to pay for all of them. Some services do not offer a trial period.
This article was first published on 16.11.2020
