The Netflix virus seems to have gotten over almost all OTT platforms. As you may already know, 2022 was not the best year for Netflix and they introduced an ad-supported tier to their plans. Well, ads also popped up on Disney+ following the same. And now, it is the chance of Prime Video.
Amazon’s Prime Video is set to introduce limited advertising in its TV series and movies, a change that will roll out in the U.S. and other locations in early 2024. This new ad-supported tier will be available to Prime subscribers at the standard $14.99 per month, but users who prefer an ad-free experience can opt for an additional $2.99 monthly fee. It’s worth noting that live events and sports content will still feature ads in this tier.
Prime customers will receive notifications ahead of the advertising rollout, allowing them to choose the ad-free option if they prefer. Thankfully, Amazon has emphasized that the number of ads on Prime Video will be notably lower than what viewers typically encounter on traditional TV and other streaming platforms.
The streaming industry has been exploring various strategies to make their businesses profitable, including advertising, cracking down on password sharing, and cost-cutting measures. Even Netflix, which initially avoided advertising, introduced a cheaper, ad-supported plan last year in response to slowing subscriber growth. Netflix found that the economics of its ad-supported plan were favourable, contributing to the company’s overall revenue and profitability.
But isn’t it like a sheep pattern? Every platform just follows Netflix without any thought.
Netflix has a supremely powerful presence in the domestic USA market but it ain’t the case with Prime Video. In fact, the only country where Prime Video has a super strong presence in the streaming market is our very own, India.
Many people who have a Prime subscription in the USA are not because of Prime Video but the services of “Amazon”, the E-commerce website. Hardly any Prime Video original makes a buzz in the USA.
Let’s see if this decision works out.
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