According to a report from The Wall Street Journal, Amazon is in the early stages of discussions to introduce an ad-supported tier to its Prime Video platform. This move comes as other streaming players like Netflix have recently added ad-supported options to their lineup. Advertisers are reportedly eager for Amazon to join the trend, as they seek more access to premium movies and programs that have traditionally been ad-free, as these offerings often generate significant attention and discussion.
Amazon has already taken steps in the past to incorporate ad-supported programming on its platform. Some of its shows feature product-placement-based ads, and its sports programming includes advertising. Additionally, Amazon is said to be in talks with Warner Bros, Discovery, and Paramount to include ad-supported subscriptions through Prime Video Channels. Currently, users can use Amazon’s Channel feature to subscribe to various streaming services, including ad-free versions of Paramount+ and Max.
At present, Amazon Prime Video is priced at $8.99 per month as a standalone service or as part of an Amazon Prime membership. In comparison, Netflix’s Standard plan is priced at $9.99 per month, offering HD video, two simultaneous screens, and offline downloading. Netflix’s ad-supported tier costs $6.99 per month but does not include offline downloading. The specific timing and pricing details for Amazon’s ad-supported plan are yet to be determined. Nevertheless, this addition is expected to provide a more affordable option for subscribers interested in Prime Video, even with the inclusion of advertisements.
