Following in the footsteps of Netflix, Amazon Prime Video spilled the beans earlier this year, revealing plans to sprinkle in ‘meaningfully fewer ads’ amidst their movies and TV shows.
This flavor upgrade comes with a twist. If you’re up for a bit of ad-free streaming bliss, you can snag that by tossing an extra $2.99 into the pot each month.
The dish is set to be served starting January 29, and Amazon Prime is making sure you’re in the loop. They’ve shot out emails to users across the US, UK, Germany, Canada, and more, giving them the heads-up about these ads sneaking into the scene. According to the email, it’s all about ‘limited advertisements’ to keep the content train rolling and the investment in captivating shows flowing.
“We aim to have meaningfully fewer ads than linear TV and other streaming TV providers. No action is required from you, and there is no change to the current price of your Prime membership,” they assure in the email. But for the die-hard ad-haters, fear not! There’s a link in the email that takes you to the ad-free sanctuary for just $2.99 extra a month.
And here’s the cherry on top – despite this ad infusion, your Prime membership cost remains untouched. They’re kicking off the ads in the UK, US, and other spots, but it’s like a global feast – India, you’re on the menu too.
In addition to the regular Amazon Prime Video plans, there’s Freevee – a complimentary, ad-sponsored streaming extravaganza. The email spills the beans that live events and Freevee content will keep the ad tradition alive.
Amazon’s decision to jump on the ad bandwagon echoes what’s cooking in the streaming world. Others are jacking up subscription fees and adding ads to their budget-friendly plans.