Amazon Prime Video to include advertisements starting 17th June 2025 | Rs. 699 per year / Rs. 129 per month extra for ad-free

[Abhinav]

It is absolutely fine for JioHotstar or Amazon Prime Video to show some ads for subscribers opting for its entry level or mid level plans

I won't comment on JioHotstar or any other apps (because the thread is for Prime) but it is definitely not fine for Prime Video to show ads because of a myriad of reasons.

First of all a plan that costs Rs 1,499 is not 'entry level'.

Reason why OTT platforms r doing this is bcoz firstly content cost has risen multifold in last 6 to 7 years and hence to continue investing in more content be it acquiring or creating original content there is lot of investment/ money needed + above that company needs to generate profits for it to remain a sustainable business

No. Prime Video's content has in fact reduced over time. They now sell their channels subscriptions and put content only on rent so that Prime Members cannot access them without paying more.

Now at present only Netflix is the OTT platform which offers Ad Free experience across its subscription plans available to people/users but it also has costliest subscription plan charges thus leading to having a smaller subscriber base as fewer people tend to be okay paying a higher price for subscription to OTT Apps.... Even there is news of Netflix considering lowering price of its subscription plans and introducing ads to compensate for revenue loss which can help widen its subscriber base too

Netflix is very different also. They justify their higher prices by offering actual premium experience, smoothest playback and best UI. Most important of all, literally nothing on Netflix requires you to pay more over your regular subscription, you pay once in a transparent way for real unrestricted access to everything available there.

thus OTT platforms now have started to implement a strategy where mix of AVoD (Ads based subscription plans) and SVoD (Ad Free subscription plans) option is being made available to users and certain content is made available completely free to attract people towards its OTT platform which also helps those from economically weaker sections to watch such content..... thus OTT platforms r trying to cater to various segments of customers in best possible manner

Big No. This could have been true if Prime Video launched a cheaper plan with Ads but instead they added ads at same old price. If my dear friend a person from "economically weaker" section wasn't able to afford Rs 1,499 prime video then how can the company attract him to buy same 1,499 plan with extra Ads? How is this making the service accessible to wider audiences?

As Far as Amazon Prime Video offering lot of old content too under only rent option despite one paying for its subscription plans, it is where improvements r needed but I feel this decision would have been taken by Studios owning such movies/shows as they would be hoping that thru rentals they can help earn more money and hence kept it excluded from agreement wherein maybe it is decided as to what content can be made available as part of subscription plans.... Or Maybe Studios asked for more money from Amazon to sell rights of all its shows and movies and Amazon Prime Video would not have found it economically viable to spend that much money as it would then be very difficult to recover investment made and earn profits bcoz of lower subscription + ad revenues

They don't care. Look at their app itself, how outdated. All emphasis just on Channels subscriptions. Why buy content when they can earn commission easily just by selling other's subscriptions.

 

[Abhinav]

Stop misquoting and making it look bad.

This is for case like Netflix where even if you subscribe for 4K plan you are not allowed 4K in Linux. How is that fair? Sure it's mentioned it T&C somewhere but that's not fair. I don't want to be tracked using Chrome browser. But pirate can easily get 4K show to play on Linux.

Also what about recent cases where game developers are taking down even offline games you have bought. Imagine paying 3 to 4K for a game which you bought only for it be taken away even though it was offline game. Stop calling it "buying" then. This whole we only buy "license" and not the game and "license" can be rewoked anytime is very dangerous.

Imagine a future where your phone might be bricked because you didn't use manufacture recommended case or something. Will you still defend your statment?

I was going to respond to that also but your reply covered everything. Just a reminder for everyone to remember that "promoting or providing guide" for piracy is not allowed, so don't let yourself slip away in the flow and not include anything like that in your posts.

 

[dino29]

Stop misquoting and making it look bad.

This is for case like Netflix where even if you subscribe for 4K plan you are not allowed 4K in Linux. How is that fair? Sure it's mentioned it T&C somewhere but that's not fair. I don't want to be tracked using Chrome browser. But pirate can easily get 4K show to play on Linux.

I am talking about content we watch by opting for subscription plans and not about resolution, screens or audio features part of it where ofcourse different T&C apply.... So please understand what is being said and in what context

Also what about recent cases where game developers are taking down even offline games you have bought. Imagined paying 3 to 4K for a game which you bought only for it be taken away even though it was offline game. Stop calling it "buying" then. This whole we only buy "license" and not the game and "license" can be rewoked anytime is very dangerous.

Bcoz in such cases too rights of games r with developers and if they come up with some kind of licence fee for using the same then by law it is okay but yes same should be clearly states when one buys the game

Imagine a future where your phone might be bricked because you didn't use manufacture recommended case or something. Will you still defend your statment?

It still happens and in such cases it is clearly mentioned when one buys such phones that it is only unlocked when using network of XYZ operator or they have agreements with some other companies too where users can only use certain apps while others r blocked....

Main thing is it should be clearly mentioned at time of buying or even if changes done in middle of lock in period then for old customers changes should come into effect post expiry of ongoing subscription or lock in period

 

[dino29]

I won't comment on JioHotstar or any other apps (because the thread is for Prime) but it is definitely not fine for Prime Video to show ads because of a myriad of reasons.

First of all a plan that costs Rs 1,499 is not 'entry level'.

It is yearly plan and still very affordable

No. Prime Video's content has in fact reduced over time. They now sell their channels subscriptions and put content only on rent so that Prime Members cannot access them without paying more.

Yes... already explained on this issue

Netflix is very different also. They justify their higher prices by offering actual premium experience, smoothest playback and best UI. Most important of all, literally nothing on Netflix requires you to pay more over your regular subscription, you pay once in a transparent way for real unrestricted access to everything available there.

Agree , as I said pricing is very high and they too now planning to make changes to introduce low cost as supported plans

Big No. This could have been true if Prime Video launched a cheaper plan with Ads but instead they added ads at same old price. If my dear friend a person from "economically weaker" section wasn't able to afford Rs 1,499 prime video then how can the company attract him to buy same 1,499 plan with extra Ads? How is this making the service accessible to wider audiences?

Already explained.... Why this is being done.... Earlier Amazon Prime Video did not have any Ad Free Plan and hence new plan launched now while existing converted as ad supported plans... I have listed in detail how it helps expand user base ,keep pricing in check and generate more revenue which is much needed

They don't care. Look at their app itself, how outdated. All emphasis just on Channels subscriptions. Why buy content when they can earn commission easily just by selling other's subscriptions.

It's a mix subscription model and Prime Video itself is a OTT app created to supplement it's Shipping App which is the main revenue generator for Amazon.... Prime Video adds as an additional benefit to offer to customers

 

[BornArcher8]

I am talking about content we watch by opting for subscription plans and not about resolution, screens or audio features part of it where ofcourse different T&C apply.... So please understand what is being said and in what context

That's what I am also telling. The Piracy statement is not about Prime adding ads. It's about other cases. Which I mentioned. What u said is what that I disagree with the statment generally (not in these cases). I also haven't seen any big youtubers talk about this statement in resepect to ads in prime. It's mostly always when companies are really doing unfair practices.

Bcoz in such cases too rights of games r with developers and if they come up with some kind of licence fee for using the same then by law it is okay but yes same should be clearly states when one buys the game

Remember laws are made after malicious things are done by people and companies. When first computer malware was made the person who made it was left scott free as there were no laws against spreading computer malware. Similary laws for licensing are too relaxed right now. Just because it's legal doesn't make it fair. See Epic Game example where the past laws in EU allowed Apple to have monopoly on App Store. That was totally legal 1 year ago. Now what they are doing is illegal. And now third party apps stores are allowed in EU.

 

[dino29]

That's what I am also telling. The Piracy statement is not about Prime adding ads. It's about other cases. Which I mentioned. What u said is what that I disagree with the statment generally (not in these cases). I also haven't seen any big youtubers talk about this statement in resepect to ads in prime. It's mostly always when companies are really doing unfair practices.

There r certain youtubers which have indeed said that we bought subscription plan so why we now have to see ads for content we bought thereby equating it with things like if buy any product from market then we own it and company cannot levy any additional fee on it henceforth making statement which I quoted / mentioned in earlier post....

What they r not understanding is that they r subscribing to OTT plan not buying the content hence company has right to make changes in its policies like prices or including ads.... It's like we take subscription of a magazine then it is upto owner of magazine to change price or increase or decrease ads in it as per what is best for their business and helps provide good content + service to people

Remember laws are made after malicious things are done by people and companies. When first computer malware was made the person who made it was left scott free as there were no laws against spreading computer malware. Similary laws for licensing are too relaxed right now. Just because it's legal doesn't make it fair. See Epic Game example where the past laws in EU allowed Apple to have monopoly on App Store. That was totally legal 1 year ago. Now what they are doing is illegal. And now third party apps stores are allowed in EU.

I completely agree with u on this and even stated that in my post clearly..... At present certain companies r doing certain things which totally r not fair as far as ethics + transparency r concerned but unfortunately its not illegal.... Let's hope soon changes r made so that customers don't have to face such issues but at the same time even people need to realise that certain decisions taken by companies not to cheat people but to simply as part of strategy to adapt as per prevalent market conditions or situations so as to let their business remain viable while trying to give customers good product offerings/ services at affordable prices