News Amazon Prime TV charging extra for going ad-free

[ibose]

Not sure if this is the correct section or if this even qualifies as News. Mods can move this to a more appropriate section if needed.

So I got this email today -

I am on the normal Amazon Prime subscription. Looks like I will need to reconsider when it ends.

 

[Afxal]

That's why it's better to choose the shopping only prime membership and sail the seas for video content.
Shopping version is 400rs/yr, you can add free 125rs off vouchers from swiggy one/paytm/timesprime voucher section. It will bring the price even lower to 275rs, I don't know if it works now or not but previously you were able to stack the vouchers, and so I got the 400rs membership for 30 something Rs.

 

[ibose]

That's why it's better to choose the shopping only prime membership and sail the seas for video content.

Yes beginning to look like I will go that route. Just need to wait for the stacked subscription to end in Dec. But this is a shitty malpractice with them not waiting for the existing subscription to end and I am not sure if our pathetic consumer laws can help.

 

[Simar]

Yes beginning to look like I will go that route. Just need to wait for the stacked subscription to end in Dec. But this is a shitty malpractice with them not waiting for the existing subscription to end and I am not sure if our pathetic consumer laws can help.

There's probably something in the T&C that we've agreed to which allows them to do this anyway

 

[ibose]

There's probably something in the T&C that we've agreed to which allows them to do this anyway

Yes and the laws are such that they can get away with it.

 

[deadbynight]

We as a society should get rid off tnc. The general laws should be more than enough to cover all issues.

 

[Kumar101]

Prime not worth it now, a lot of the older Hollywood movies they want you to rent at extra cost.

I'll just switch to shopping only Prime when my membership runs out.

 

[Kmkaks]

I don’t understand, it doesn’t look like they are producing or providing the type of quality content that Jio and Netflix are, their catalogue is greatly diminished, their interface is already riddled with subscription ads and yet they have the audacity to bring in ads and raise prices for ad free? I will he unsubscribing but looks like Prime videos which was a pioneer for ott here in India is shooting itself in the foot.

 

[buzz88]

I have Prime, Hotstar and Netflix and I still sail the high seas cause it irritates me a lot when I am watching something and suddenly the content bitrate changes and the image becomes pixelated/low-res for a few seconds to minutes. At least when it is downloaded, it remains 4K quality throughout since the file is local. I have the subscriptions cause everyone in the family is not used to downloading. Thinking I need to drop at least Prime Videos now and keep it shopping only.

 

[Simar]

I have Prime, Hotstar and Netflix and I still sail the high seas cause it irritates me a lot when I am watching something and suddenly the content bitrate changes and the image becomes pixelated/low-res for a few seconds to minutes. At least when it is downloaded, it remains 4K quality throughout since the file is local. I have the subscriptions cause everyone in the family is not used to downloading. Thinking I need to drop at least Prime Videos now and keep it shopping only.

That's a valid point, especially when some of these apps don't allow you to lock or even choose the video settings, at least for Smart TVs or Windows apps, as far as what I've seen.

Also, the fact that even though I have almost all the popular OTT subscriptions, a lot of shows and movies are still unavailable due to region restrictions, or if we're talking about Prime Video, a rental paywall, although I already pay for it. I never thought I'd have to pirate content even after having several subscriptions.

 

[Tracer_Bullet]

A bit out of topic, but since many will be using it - jiohotstar - Is there a way to change subtitle color ?
I am using on FireStickTV and on an oled screen it shows white text on black background - gives quite a glare esp with HDR.

Also haven't tested that much but atleast in Andor, HDR/DV doesnt seem to be that great.
In comparison I am happy with Prime Video player atleast.
Good quality generally and good HDR, paatal lok new season looked just great - sharp and shiny.

I am trying to avoid pirating these days, but seems we don't have a steam level service for movies/tv.
On desktop we can even watch SDR content in (extrapolated) HDR and it can look good.

 

[buzz88]

I have Prime, Hotstar and Netflix and I still sail the high seas cause it irritates me a lot when I am watching something and suddenly the content bitrate changes and the image becomes pixelated/low-res for a few seconds to minutes. At least when it is downloaded, it remains 4K quality throughout since the file is local. I have the subscriptions cause everyone in the family is not used to downloading. Thinking I need to drop at least Prime Videos now and keep it shopping only.

UPDATE: I've cancelled Prime. I was checking to see when it was last auto-deducted and it was just March. I thought if I cancel it now, I don't have to remember auto-renewal for the next year. But surprisingly, they allowed for partial cancellation and I got 1259 refund. So if anyone reading this is in two minds, just cancel it and when needed use the shopping only Prime when the sales come.

Thanks, @ibose for this post. I usually don't check these emails.

 

[sghulyani]

Shopping only prime membership makes more sense now. I'm sure Netflix and others will follow the same route soon. I'm waiting for all my current subscriptions to end, and then will switch to alternative options.

 

[seibott]

They have made the app so confusing at this point and it is frustrating to see movies in the app but unable to watch as it will be hidden under another payment. I'd rather not have those movies show up in my prime!

 

[ibose]

But surprisingly, they allowed for partial cancellation and I got 1259 refund

That is nice. I will see how bad the ad infestation turns out and then decide.

 

[Tracer_Bullet]

That is nice. I will see how bad the ad infestation turns out and then decide.

My guess is that it will be ok initially and then when everyone gets comfortable it might slowly get worse and worse. Just look at youtube.
As of now they show other primevideo shows as adverts and those are skippable, lets see if they keep that with actual adverts.
I do hope that they have some kind of filter for the kind of adverts they show, no rummy ludo please.

 

[pa1]

Is their content really worth paying 1000 Rs per year with ads and 2500(eventually with 999) without ads ?

That's way higher than hotstar and same as Netflix(200 plan). And interesting content like some popular movies are under rent or pay option. Their app is also one of the worst.

 

[deadbynight]

Is their content really worth paying 1000 Rs per year with ads and 2500(eventually with 999) without ads ?

That's way higher than hotstar and same as Netflix(200 plan). And interesting content like some popular movies are under rent or pay option. Their app is also one of the worst.

nah the shopping version is more than enough. And India doesn't have strict laws against piracy so sail all you want.

 

[Kumar101]

nah the shopping version is more than enough. And India doesn't have strict laws against piracy so sail all you want.

OK

 

[animishticomb]

They will probably increase the price of shopping only prime subscription now