There was a dream that was streaming. Loads of content in one place, delivered directly to your home via the internet. Like a digital Blockbuster. No advertisements stinking up your viewing pleasure. One monthly fee, and you were golden.
It was never going to last really, was it? First, they saturate the market with too many providers. Then they let this saturation mean a race for content that puts the quality into the shitter. Then they wonder why they aren’t making any money out of it and look for additional income. So we get ads.. again. The circle of life is complete!
And so, with the tedious inevitability of a hangover after a great night out, Amazon has announced that beginning in early 2024 its hitherto ad-free streaming service will now be adding a basic tier with commercials. Pay, and still have to sit through ads!
A specific date has yet to be determined. In addition, that ad-supported tier will be the default option for Prime Video, so that’s what you will be given with an Amazon Prime membership where you get the free shipping.
Do you want no ads? You will have to pay an additional $2.99 per month to watch without having your viewing interrupted by Maoist cultural messages somehow welded to messages to consume.
Netflix, Disney+, and Max have all included ads in the past eighteen months. Hulu, Peacock, and Paramount+ had ad-supported plans from the start. Amazon says this will help the streamer keep investing in original programming and live sports. It comes to the US, UK, and Canada first.
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