Amazon has announced that beginning in early 2024, its ad-free streaming service will now be adding a basic tier with limited commercials. A specific date has yet to be determined.
In addition, that ad-supported tier will be the default option for Prime Video – meaning it’s what you will come automatically with an Amazon Prime membership along with other perks like free shipping on packages, Amazon Music, etc.
The company adds the price of a regular Prime subscription won’t rise, but users who want to continue watching Prime Video without commercials (as they currently do now) will have to pay an additional $2.99 per month.
The announcement makes Prime Video one of the last to incorporate an ad-supported tier for its service following Netflix, Disney+ and Max all including them in the past year or so.
Others like Hulu, Peacock and Paramount+ had ad-supported plans from their beginnings.
The inclusion of ads will reportedly help the streamer keep investing in original programming and live sports over the long term.
The rollout will first hit United States, United Kingdom, Germany and Canada whilst later in the year the ads will come to France, Italy, Spain, Mexico and Australia.
Source: THR
