Amazon Prime Video, the popular streaming service that comes with the internet giant’s premium membership program, is about to change. Starting from January 29 in the US and February 5 in the UK, Prime Video will introduce advertisements on its movies and TV shows. This means that customers who want to enjoy their favorite content without interruptions will have to pay an additional $2.99 or £2.99 a month. This decision has sparked backlash from many Prime subscribers, who have expressed their frustration and anger on social media. Some have even threatened to cancel their Prime membership altogether.

Why is Amazon adding ads to Prime Video?

According to an email that Amazon sent to its customers in the last few days, the reason for adding ads to Prime Video is to “maintain and grow our investment in engaging content for an extended period”. The company claims that the ads will be limited and that they will have “noticeably fewer advertisements” compared to linear TV and other streaming TV providers. The email also states that the cost of the Prime membership will not change and that customers do not need to do anything to continue enjoying Prime Video.

However, Amazon has not confirmed the exact details of how the ads will work on Prime Video. It is expected that the ads will run both before and during the content, similar to how YouTube operates. For more information, MailOnline has contacted Amazon for clarification.

How can customers avoid ads on Prime Video?

Customers who do not want to see ads on Prime Video will have to opt for a new ad-free plan, which will cost an extra $2.99 or £2.99 a month. This means that the total cost of Prime membership, which includes other benefits such as free delivery, Prime Music, and Prime Reading, will increase from $12.99 or £7.99 a month to $15.98 or £10.98 a month. Alternatively, customers can choose to pay annually for Prime membership, which will cost $119 or £79 a year, plus an additional $35.88 or £35.88 a year for ad-free Prime Video.

How are customers reacting to the news?

The news of Amazon adding ads to Prime Video has not gone down well with many customers, who have taken to social media to voice their displeasure. Some have called the decision “greedy”, “clownish”, and “the final nail” in the coffin of their Prime membership. Others have said that the move “really validates” their choice to cancel their Prime subscription this year. Many have also compared Amazon to its competitors, Netflix and Disney+, who have also introduced ads to their streaming services in the past year.

What are the alternatives to Prime Video?

Prime Video is not the only streaming service that offers a wide range of movies and TV shows. Customers who are looking for alternatives can consider other platforms, such as Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, HBO Max, and Peacock. However, they should be aware that some of these services also have ads on their lower-priced plans, and that they may have different content libraries and availability depending on the region. Additionally, some of these services may also have stricter policies on password sharing, which could limit the number of devices and users that can access them.

Conclusion

Amazon Prime Video is about to change its streaming model by adding ads to its content. Customers who want to avoid ads will have to pay extra for an ad-free plan, which will increase the cost of their Prime membership. This decision has been met with criticism and anger from many customers, who have threatened to cancel their Prime subscription or switch to other streaming services. Amazon has not yet revealed the full details of how the ads will work on Prime Video, but it has said that the ads will be limited and that the cost of the Prime membership will not change. Customers who are unhappy with the news can either opt for the ad-free plan or look for alternatives to Prime Video.