Netflix and Apple TV Plus will fight for crime show dominance in the new year, and I can’t wait

It’ll be a crime to miss out on these two fascinating shows

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Netflix andAppleTV Plus are set to go head-to-head in January 2024 as the streaming giants fight it out for crime show superiority.

Indeed, two of the world’sbest streaming servicesare due to release new crime thrillers within weeks of one another after New Year’s Day, withNetflix’sGriseldaandApple TV Plus’Criminal Recordaiming to dominate this particular genre.

It’s the latter that’ll have a head start on the competition, too, withCriminal Recordset to join Apple’s streaming platform on Friday, January 12. The UK crime show starsDoctor Whoalumnus Peter Capaldi as Detective Chief Inspector Daniel Hegarty, who is confronted by newly anointed Detective Sergeant June Lenker (The Good Wife’s Cush Jumbo) over a decades-old murder case when fresh evidence comes to light. As the veteran detective locks horns with his young counterpart, battle lines are drawn as the pair respectively seek to maintain their legacy and boost their career.

Netflix, though, won’t be going down without a fight. Less than two weeks after Criminal Record attempts to ahem lock down the crime show corner, the streaming giant will releaseGriselda, theSofia Vergara-starring crime thriller from the team behind acclaimed showNarcos.

Landing on the platform on Thursday, January 25, Griselda tells the tale of real-life drug kingpin Griselda Blanco who, according to Netflix, “created one of the most profitable cartels in history. In 1970s-80s Miami, Blanco’s lethal blend of unsuspected savagery and charm helped her expertly navigate between business and family, leading her to become widely known as ‘the Godmother.'”

Right now, it’s hard to say which project will come out on top. I’d be surprised ifGriseldadoesn’t make an early play for inclusion in ourbest Netflix showsguide. After all, it’s coming from the team behindNarcos, which is one of the streamer’s best crime-based series – and that’s saying something when you consider Netflix is also home to utterly brilliant crime shows likeBreaking Bad,Better Call Saul,Ozark, andKaleidoscope.

Apple, though, will be equally confident thatCriminal Recordcan convince the jury that it deserves top billing between the pair. I suspect it’ll make its way onto ourbest Apple TV Plus showslist and, in doing so, join some terrific crime-based series includingBlack BirdandSlow Horses.

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Regardless of who ends up winning this bout, I’ll be tuning in to seeGriseldaandCriminal Recordduke it out for crime-based supremacy. Currently, Netflix is the undisputed king of the streaming world – its near-250 million-strong subscriber base proves as much, and that’s before you factor in its expansive TV library and film collection (read ourbest Netflix movieshub while you’re here), even if its recent price hikes andcrackdown on password sharinghave irked some customers.

However, despiteApple TV Plus also receiving a major price hikethis year, I wouldn’t discount the streamer’s chances of giving Netflix’sGriseldaa run for its money. Apple’s streamer might have similarly significant funds as its rival (thanks to its parent company), but its movie and TV offerings are nonetheless impressive and award-winning. There’s a good reason whyApple TV Plus is viewed by many as the best streamer for original TV shows, so Netflix isn’t guaranteed a sure fire victory whenGriseldaandCriminal Recordengage in the first big streaming battle of 2024. As a fan of both services, I can’t wait to see who comes out on top.

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As TechRadar’s senior entertainment reporter, Tom covers all of the latest movies, TV shows, and streaming service news that you need to know about. You’ll regularly find him writing about the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Star Wars, Netflix, Prime Video, Disney Plus, and many other topics of interest.

An NCTJ-accredited journalist, Tom also writes reviews, analytical articles, opinion pieces, and interview-led features on the biggest franchises, actors, directors and other industry leaders. You may see his quotes pop up in the odd official Marvel Studios video, too, such as thisMoon Knight TV spot.

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