Prime Video adverts are coming — what are the small print, is it cheap and what subsequent
Should you’re within the UK (and varied different areas) and an Amazon Prime subscriber, you will see that an electronic mail arriving (we obtained ours right this moment) with particulars of modifications to the service — heads up, it’s not a shock New Yr deal with.
Right here’s the highest of the e-mail:
We’re writing to you right this moment about an upcoming change to your Prime Video expertise. Beginning February 5, Prime Video motion pictures and TV reveals will embody restricted ads. This may permit us to proceed investing in compelling content material and hold rising that funding over an extended time period. We goal to have meaningfully fewer adverts than ad-supported TV channels and different streaming TV suppliers. No motion is required from you, and there’s no change to the present value of your Prime membership
What are the small print behind Prime Video adverts?
Two key info emerge — they begin on February 5, and they’ll occur to all subscribers. After a fast promote on why it’s excellent news (of their phrases) the e-mail goes on to permit us to choose out of adverts, for a mere £2.99 per thirty days. There’s a pleasant sign-up web page [though the link in your email may be a better bet as it should track your account) if you want to pay more than 30% more for the same service you get today.
Is it reasonable?
We don’t think so. Yes, Netflix, Disney and others all offer advert supported tiers, but there are differences: these are lower price than the existing subscriptions and we had more notice. This is a huge hike in charge under a pretext.
Part of the problem as we see it is Amazon Prime itself. Costs for logistics have increased like everything else. You’ll have seen Prime Delivery days becoming more prominent in your browser as Amazon seeks to cut the amount of single free deliveries. Amazon clearly needs more money to keep making expensive shows (eg Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power). Where will it end?
What next for Prime Video
People like free delivery, people like some of the shows on Prime Video. That said, how long before the two part company, and we have the option to keep both with a subscription similar to today, or maybe just simplify the number of streamers we have and keep just free delivery. It’s a tricky decision, and with economic gloom set to continue, one that may well backfire. We will be keeping a close eye on how subscribers react to this latest imposition.