What's happened
Amazon Prime Video will introduce limited advertisements to its streaming service in 2024.
Why it matters
The introduction of advertisements on Amazon Prime Video is significant as it marks a departure from the ad-free experience that subscribers have enjoyed. This move follows similar actions by other streaming services and highlights the challenges of rising costs and declining subscriptions in the industry.
What the papers say
The Times says that Amazon's decision to introduce adverts is necessary to continue investing in compelling content and increase investment over time. The Independent reports that Amazon promises the ads will be limited and offers an ad-free subscription option for an additional fee. The New York Times highlights that several streaming services, including Netflix, have already introduced ads to cope with rising costs and declining subscriptions. The BBC News notes that Amazon's move follows similar actions by rivals like Disney+ and Netflix.
How we got here
Streaming services like Netflix and Disney+ have started featuring ads in an effort to cope with rising costs and declining subscriptions.
More on these topics
-
Amazon.com, Inc., is an American multinational technology company based in Seattle, Washington. Amazon focuses on e-commerce, cloud computing, digital streaming, and artificial intelligence.
-
Netflix, Inc. is an American technology and media services provider and production company headquartered in Los Gatos, California. Netflix was founded in 1997 by Reed Hastings and Marc Randolph in Scotts Valley, California.
-
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom or Britain, is a sovereign country located off the northÂwestern coast of the European mainland.