Amazon is to increase the cost of its Prime bundle in the United States for the first time since 2018.
The monthly fee will rise from $12.99 to $14.99, and the annual membership from $119 to $139. The expectation is that similar price increases will be applied internationally. For new Prime members, the price change will go into effect on February 18, 2022, and for current Prime members, the new price will apply after March 25, 2022, on the date of their next renewal.
The parcels to showbiz company says that it continues to invest heavily in prime, adding unlimited shipping and more exclusive deals and discounts. Prime Video has tripled the number of Amazon Originals, including series and movies like The Boys, The Wheel of Time, Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan and Being the Ricardos. There has also been sports rights acquisitions including an 11-year agreement with the National Football League, ATP tennis and Premier League, depending on the territory.
Amazon has also announced the sale of more than 150 million Fire TV devices since its launch in 2014. It’s also introduced a new in-vehicle experience for passengers to use Alexa or on-screen touch controls to access more than 1 million TV episodes and movies on Fire TV in the United States. Fire TV will also be built into BMW’s new 31-inch Theatre Screen for rear-seat passengers.