95%Would buy again
Rakuten TV is a video streaming service that offers films and television series to rent, buy or watch as part of a subscription. It operates as an online platform, with apps available on smart TVs, games consoles, streaming devices, computers and mobile phones. The service is part of the Rakuten group, the Japanese internet company that also runs an online marketplace and other digital businesses.
Its catalogue combines titles from major studios and independent distributors with a free ad-supported section that is available without an account. Viewers can also access channels and live content, and the platform is aimed at households in the United Kingdom who want on-demand entertainment without a traditional broadcast package.
Top positive review
switched over from another service
I was already paying for a streaming service but wanted to see what the rental side offered, and I've been using this for documentaries and indie films that the big names don't carry. The library has more of the niche stuff than I expected, the search filters are useful and the playback has been stable across three devices. For someone who knows what they want to watch it's a good fit.
Read moreTop critical review
Needed a cheap way to watch films
I needed a cheap way to catch up on films without paying for a full cable package, and this seemed sensible. The rentals add up quickly if you watch a lot, and I was a bit put out when a film I had paid for kept buffering for most of the evening. Support took a few days to reply to my email, so I would like to see that improve.
Read moreMost detailed review
needed something for the kids at weekends
We needed a way for the kids to watch cartoons without us fighting over the telly every Saturday morning. I had tried two other services first and this one had the widest range of children's titles for the money, and the profiles stop them getting into anything they shouldn't. Setting it up on the smart TV took about ten minutes and it has been reliable since, so we have kept it going for months…
Read moreNeeded a cheap way to watch films
I needed a cheap way to catch up on films without paying for a full cable package, and this seemed sensible. The rentals add up quickly if you watch a lot, and I was a bit put out when a film I had paid for kept buffering for most of the evening. Support took a few days to reply to my email, so I would like to see that improve.
Rented a film that wasn't quite right
I rented a film through the site last weekend and it turned out to be the dubbed version rather than the original English audio I was after. The subtitles were fine and the price was fair for a new release, but I had to dig through the settings to find the right audio track, and it would help if that were clearer when you pick the title.
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