As of January 2021, Amazon Prime Video viewers have been informed that they will be required to pay an additional $2.99 each month on top of their current subscription in order to avoid advertisements and commercials. Prime Membership already includes a huge library of entertainment, plus exclusive content and discounts.
This charge is applicable in countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Austria. Reports suggest that the new fee is a way for Amazon to increase its revenue.
The extra cost won’t be applied to current subscribers, as Amazon will not be automatically adding the additional subscription on to existing Prime members’ bills. Prime viewers who choose to pay the extra fee will no longer see advertisements interrupting their programming. Instead, they will be able to enjoy a more seamless entertainment experience.
Amazon has not commented on why they are introducing the extra subscription fee for ad-free viewing, but it is likely because the company wants to make up for lost advertisement revenue with subscriptions. Although this might be irritating to current Prime viewers, ad-free programming can be a welcome addition for those who want a more pristine viewing experience.
The move represents yet another attempt by Amazon to monetize their streaming service. In recent months, Amazon has also debuted several new subscription levels, such as a Prime Video Only subscription and a Pro version of Prime Video, the latter of which offers access to additional movies and TV shows for a higher price.
For viewers who are already paying a monthly subscription to Prime Video, an extra $2.99 fee to avoid advertisements may seem like an unwelcome expense, but it could also be a welcome addition for some. No matter what level of subscription viewers choose, Amazon promises the same high-quality and exclusive content.
Overall, Amazon’s introduction of an additional fee for Prime viewers who would like to opt out of seeing advertisements on their streaming service is an interesting development. For those who are already paying a monthly subscription to Prime Video, this extra cost may be seen as an annoyance. But for those who prioritize a pristine viewing experience, the elimination of commercials during their favorites shows and movies may be worth it.
