Latest news with #PrimeLite
Hans India
13-05-2025
- Business
- Hans India
Amazon Prime Video Rolls Out Ad-Free Upgrade in India: Pricing, Launch Date and More
Amazon Prime Video is changing the game for Indian June 17, 2025, Prime Video subscribers in India will begin seeinglimited advertisements on TV shows and movies—unless they opt for a new ad-freeupgrade, priced separately. This shift comes as Amazon aligns its video streaming modelwith global and regional industry trends. While the core Amazon Primemembership remains priced at ₹1,499 per year, users who prefer uninterruptedcontent can now subscribe to an ad-free add-on, available for ₹129 per month or₹699 annually. In emails to its subscribers, Amazon stated: "This willallow us to continue investing in compelling content and keep increasing thatinvestment over a long period of time. We aim to have meaningfully fewer adsthan TV channels and other streaming services. No action is required fromyou." The optional ad-free tier gives users the freedom to it also signals the end of completely ad-free content under the basePrime membership. With this move, Amazon is now following a tieredsubscription model similar to rivals like Disney+ Hotstar, which offers bothad-supported and premium ad-free plans. Hotstar's Premium tier starts at₹299/month or ₹1,499/year, although it still includes ads during live Netflix continues to offer all of its plans ad-free, ranging from₹149/month for mobile users to ₹649/month for 4K streaming across multipledevices. Amazon also offers a Prime Lite subscription, which includesaccess to Prime Video content at 720p resolution with ads. However, it remainsunclear whether users on this plan will be able to access the new ad-freeadd-on. As India's digital streaming market becomes morecompetitive, with growing consumer demand for high-quality, uninterruptedcontent, Amazon's strategy is both timely and telling. The introduction of adsin standard Prime plans could nudge price-sensitive users toward alternativeslike JioCinema, which offers competitive pricing, or prompt existingsubscribers to consider upgrading. Still, Amazon assures viewers that the advertisingexperience will be minimal, especially compared to traditional TV or otherplatforms. Whether this reassurance will be enough to maintain user loyaltyremains uncertain. In summary, the era of ad-free streaming as a default forPrime Video users in India is coming to a close. Going forward, seamless,uninterrupted viewing will come at an added cost.
Time of India
13-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Amazon Prime membership no longer means no ads on Amazon Prime Video; this is how much users will have to pay for ad-free streaming
Amazon has announced that Prime Video content in India will include "limited advertisements" beginning June 17, 2025, with the company offering an opt-in ad-free experience for an additional cost of Rs 699 per year or Rs 129 per month, on top of the Amazon Prime subscription. This is the discounted price, per Amazon's email to customers, the original cost of the add-on plan is listed at Rs 999, however, the company not disclosed till when this pricing will remain available. In an email sent to subscribers, the company stated that the change would allow the company to "continue investing in compelling content and keep increasing that investment over a long period of time." Amazon says that viewers would see "meaningfully fewer ads than TV channels and other streaming services." The full email from Amazon reads "Dear Prime member, by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like New Container Houses In Lang Son Container House | Search ads Search Now Undo We are writing to you today about an upcoming change to your Prime Video experience. Starting June 17th, 2025, Prime Video movies and TV shows will include limited advertisements. This will allow us to continue investing in compelling content and keep increasing that investment over a long period of time. We aim to have meaningfully fewer ads than TV channels and other streaming services. No action is required from you, and there is no change to the current price of your Prime membership. We will also offer a new ad free add-on option for an additional ₹699 per year/ ₹129 per month* that you can sign up for starting on June 17th 2025." Current Prime memberships, which cost Rs. 1,499 per year in India, will remain unchanged in price but will now include advertisements. The Prime subscription includes benefits such as fast delivery options, free shipping, cashbacks on select purchases, and access to other Amazon services including Prime Music , Prime Gaming, and Prime Reading .' This move follows Amazon's earlier introduction of advertisements in Prime Video content in other markets, including the US, UK, Germany, and Canada in January 2024, where users paid an additional $2.99 per month for ad-free viewing. Amazon, earlier this week, told that it's add-supported tier now has a subscriber base of 130 million in the US. Amazon also offers a more affordable Prime Lite plan in India priced at Rs 799 annually, which limits Prime Video content to mobile devices at 720p resolution. According to the company, users on the Prime Lite plan, which already includes ad-supported content, will not experience any changes. AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
Indian Express
13-05-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
Prime Video in India will include ads soon, unless you pay Rs 699 more
On Tuesday, Amazon announced that Prime Video will begin showing limited advertisements during movies and TV shows starting June 17, 2025, in India. The company said the move is intended to support continued investment in content and claimed that the ad volume will be lower than what users see on traditional TV channels and other streaming platforms. This was first introduced in the United States of America and a few other markets back in 2024. The change will not affect the current price of Prime membership. However, Amazon will offer an optional ad-free plan at Rs 699 per year or Rs 129 per month, which users can subscribe to starting the same day. All other Prime benefits will remain unchanged. Users who do not wish to continue their membership after the changes take effect can cancel and request a pro-rated refund through their Amazon account settings. Amazon currently offers different tiers of Prime membership in India. Prime Shopping Edition costs Rs 399 per year, Prime Lite is priced at Rs 799 per year, and the standard Prime membership costs Rs 1,499 per year. The standard plan includes all benefits such as Prime Video (with ads), Amazon Music, and more. Prime Video can be accessed on smartphones, tablets, computers, and smart TVs, and the app is available on almost every major operating system. While the Prime Lite limits the streaming resolution to 720p, regular subscription offers content with up to 4K resolution. Besides movies and web series, Prime Video also offers live sports streaming, and the platform also allows users to access other OTT services like Apple TV+, LionGate Play, Discovery+, and more for additional cost. With this move, users seeking a premium streaming experience with ad-free access and up to 4K quality will need to spend up to Rs 2,798 per year. This is slightly more than JioCinema Premium (Hotstar), but significantly less than Netflix, which charges Rs 649 per month for its 4K ad-free subscription.
Indian Express
30-04-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
Amazon India to hold ninth Prime Day event in July 2025: Here's what we know
After reporting record-breaking sales last year, Amazon has announced that it is coming back with its ninth Prime Day in July this year. The e-commerce platform's Prime Day event is known for offering great deals to its Prime customers. On this day, Amazon offers Prime members good discounts on big brands, trending items, Amazon-exclusive products, and more. With the Prime Day event, you can save a lot of money and grab good offers on products. 'Today, Prime members in India get unlimited free same-day delivery on 10 lakhs+ products, next day delivery on 40 lakhs+ products and 4-hour delivery on more than 20,000 products,' Amazon said in a press release on Wednesday, April 30. In July, Prime members will be able to avail exclusive offers on several products across various categories including kitchen, electronics, beauty, and more. Prime Day 2025 is coming to many countries, including India, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Egypt, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Mexico, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, the US, and the UK. However, the e-commerce giant is yet to announce the specific date for Prime Day 2025. On Prime Day 2024, Amazon said it delivered more than 41 crore items the same day or next day. 'Independent SMBs receiving a sale during Prime Day 2024 reached an all-time high across all editions, with over 30% increase compared to last year. SMBs including women entrepreneurs, weavers, and artisans, sold over 1,600 units per minute,' Amazon said in a press release. An annual Prime membership in India costs Rs 1,499, while Prime Lite costs Rs 799. However, Prime Lite comes with limited Prime video benefits. The company also offers a Prime Shopping Edition subscription at Rs 299, which does not include access to Prime Video or Amazon Music.
