Amazon’s Prime Video is about to undergo a transformation that might make some subscribers raise an eyebrow. In a surprising move, Amazon has announced that it will start showing ads on its Prime Video platform, but there’s a catch – unless you’re willing to fork out an additional $3 per month.
Beginning in early 2024, Prime Video will begin featuring limited advertisements within its shows and movies. This shift marks a significant departure from the previous ad-free experience that was bundled with Amazon’s Prime subscription. Currently, Prime Video is either included at no extra cost with a Prime membership or available for a standalone fee of $9 per month, offering a vast library of third-party content, including movies and TV series, alongside Amazon Originals like “The Boys,” “The Citadel,” “Air,” “Manchester by the Sea,” and “The Big Sick.”
While Amazon hasn’t revealed the exact number of ads viewers can expect, it’s been suggested that “limited advertisements” might amount to around four minutes per hour of content. The company aims to keep these ads to a minimum compared to traditional linear TV and other streaming providers.
The introduction of ads will roll out in several countries, starting with the US, UK, Germany, and Canada in early 2024. France, Italy, Spain, Mexico, and Australia will follow suit later in the year. Importantly, existing Prime members won’t see a change in their subscription price.
This move by Amazon is somewhat unexpected, especially given previous rumors about an ad-supported tier for Prime Video. Instead, the ads are now integrated into the regular subscription, effectively becoming an optional add-on.
Amazon has defended this decision by stating that it will enable them to continue investing in high-quality content. The company has been on a content acquisition spree, securing rights to NFL Thursday Night Football and acquiring MGM Studios for a hefty $8.5 billion in 2021. With this new revenue stream from ads, Amazon aims to keep expanding its content offerings.
However, the introduction of ads alongside new fees for same-day deliveries within the Prime membership has left some subscribers wondering how it might impact the overall value of their subscription. It remains to be seen whether these changes will have any significant impact on Amazon’s subscriber numbers.
So, in the not-so-distant future, when you fire up Prime Video for your favorite shows and movies, you might find yourself facing a few ads, unless you’re willing to pay a little extra to maintain that ad-free bliss. The choice, it seems, is in your hands – or should we say, your wallet.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Prime Video Ads
Q: Why is Amazon introducing ads on Prime Video?
A: Amazon is introducing ads on Prime Video to generate additional revenue that will allow them to invest in more high-quality content, including Amazon Originals and live sports.
Q: How much will I have to pay to avoid ads on Prime Video?
A: To enjoy an ad-free experience on Prime Video, you’ll need to pay an extra $3 per month on top of your regular Prime subscription.
Q: When will the ads start appearing on Prime Video?
A: Ads in Prime Video content will be introduced in early 2024, starting in the US, UK, Germany, and Canada, with other countries following later in the year.
Q: How many ads can I expect to see when watching Prime Video?
A: While Amazon hasn’t specified the exact number, “limited advertisements” are expected, which could amount to around four minutes of ads per hour of content.
Q: Will the price of my existing Prime membership increase due to these changes?
A: No, Amazon has stated that the current price of Prime membership will remain unchanged despite the introduction of ads on Prime Video.
Q: What impact might these changes have on Prime Video’s subscriber numbers?
A: It’s uncertain at this point, but the introduction of ads and new fees for same-day deliveries within the Prime membership could potentially influence subscriber numbers.
More about Prime Video Ads
- Amazon Prime Video to Show Ads for $3 More a Month
- Amazon’s Prime Video Will Introduce Ads in 2024
- Amazon’s Explanation for Introducing Ads on Prime Video
- Details on Amazon’s Content Acquisitions
2 comments
ads on prime vid? seriously? bet they’ll ruin the bingewatching exp.
amazon wot? ads? ugh! but $3 more, not too bad tho.