Attention Prime members: Brace yourselves for a change to your streaming experience! Starting January 29, 2024, Amazon Prime Video will begin displaying "limited advertisements" during movies and TV shows. This move aims to fuel further investment in compelling content while maintaining a viewing experience with significantly fewer ads than traditional TV or other streaming platforms.

Key highlights:

• Limited ad rollout: Ads will appear in content starting January 29, 2024, in the US, UK, Germany, and Canada. Other countries will follow later in the year.
• Ad-free option available: For those who prefer a commercial-free experience, Amazon offers an ad-free upgrade for an additional $2.99 per month.
• Continued investment in content: Amazon assures Prime members that ads will not compromise their commitment to producing high-quality content, including Amazon Originals and live sports.

Why ads?

Amazon's decision to introduce ads stems from a desire to invest in acquiring and producing even more engaging content for Prime Video. This additional revenue stream will allow them to continue enriching the platform with diverse and high-quality offerings.

Impact on Prime membership:

The standard Prime membership price will remain unchanged for now. However, the ad-free option adds $2.99 to the monthly cost, bringing the total to $17.98 per month.

What to expect:

Amazon promises to keep the ad experience minimal, and significantly less intrusive than what viewers encounter on traditional TV. The exact frequency and placement of ads are still under wraps, but the company assures a viewing experience that prioritizes content enjoyment.

Future rollout:

The ad rollout will initially focus on the US, UK, Germany, and Canada, with other countries joining later in 2024. Prime members in these regions can expect to receive further communication detailing the exact launch date and specifics of the ad-free upgrade.