In a major change to its video streaming service, Amazon Prime Video announced that its viewers will have to pay an additional $2.99 per month starting in January in order to avoid ads.
This change, which was initially introduced in June, was quickly met with alarm by many Prime Video viewers which led to an outcry over the extra cost. For its part, Amazon is arguing that viewers will be paying less in the long run because this fee will save them from the nuisance of ads that come with most streaming services.
This new fee seems to put Amazon Prime Video at a disadvantage compared to some of its streaming competitors- such as Roku, Hulu, and Netflix- who do not have an additional fee for their services. However, Amazon apparently believes that this fee is worth it to provide users with an ad-free experience, though this may not be the case for everyone who chooses to stay with Prime Video.
In addition to the extra fee being introduced for ad-free viewing, Amazon has also announced plans to give Prime Video viewers the ability to purchase TV shows and movies through the Prime Video service. This would be an additional cost to users who already pay for a monthly subscription to Prime Video and possibly a competitive edge for Amazon against other streaming services.
It remains to be seen how Amazon Prime Video viewers will react to the additional cost of $2.99 in order to avoid ads. Some may be put off by this extra charge, while others may see the value in having an ad-free viewing experience. Either way, it seems Amazon is taking a big risk with this move. As the streaming wars grow ever more competitive, Amazon will have to consider how to keep its viewers while remaining competitive with its rivals in terms of pricing and features.
Jump Into 2021: Avoid Ads on Amazon Prime Video for an Extra $2.99 a Month!
