There are few hanges on the Amazon Prime Video service soon. For subscribers who are always using the app for ad-free experience, things will change by next year.
The e-commerce giant has recently revealed that there will be a series of advertisements on the platform for global users. However, if you are currently residing in the UK and want to see no ads while watching your favorite movie, you need to pay a £2.99 charge.
This might be only the beginning for Amazon's plans to implement a gradual makeover on its streaming service.
Amazon Aligns with Streaming Trends
In its latest move, Amazon says that it will roll out advertisements on its Prime Video service around the globe. However, if UK users want to go ad-free, they need to pay a fee.
According to The Independent, Amazon's decision mirrors recent updates on streaming giants Disney+ and Netflix. Notably, these platforms have opted for ad-supported tiers at lower subscription prices, rather than incorporating ads for all users.
Related Article: Amazon Plans to Launch an Ad-Supported Tier for Prime Video
Capitalizing on Ad Revenue
Streaming services are swiftly adopting advertising strategies to capitalize on additional revenue from subscribers.
With this, the company asserts that the funds generated through ads will be strategically invested in creating compelling new content for its platform.
Striking a Balance: Fewer Ads, More Content
Amazon aims to strike a balance by assuring users of "meaningfully fewer ads" compared to traditional ad-supported TV channels and other streaming providers. It might be strange to roll out random ads on the screen, but that might be Amazon's way of maintaining a high-quality viewing experience for all users.
Earlier this year, Amazon disclosed plans to roll out advertising on Prime Video globally, impacting countries such as the UK, US, Germany, Canada, and more. The implementation of ads is scheduled to commence for US users starting January 29.
User-Friendly Transition
Amazon ensures a seamless transition for users, clarifying that no immediate action is required. Additionally, the current membership price remains unchanged for existing users, unless they actively choose the ad-free subscription option.
As of now, the Amazon Prime subscription in the UK is priced at £8.99 per month. This subscription encompasses an array of services, including expedited delivery, ad-free music streaming, and access to original TV series and films on Prime Video.
The Seattle firm has confirmed that this subscription cost will remain consistent throughout 2024.
As streaming platforms evolve to meet changing viewer preferences and revenue models, Amazon's move to introduce ads provides users with a choice - embrace the advertisements or opt for an enhanced ad-free experience at a slightly higher cost.
Meanwhile, another popular streaming service Netflix has reportedly launched its ad tier in late 2022, per a report by The Guardian.
According to the company, nearly 15 million users have subscribed to the service since the announcement.
In the UK, Netflix's basic tier is priced at a monthly charge of £4.99. That's cheaper and more ideal for those who want to enjoy seamless streaming. However, if they want to fully enjoy their viewing experience, they might opt to pay £10.99 for the standard ad-free package.
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