Amazon says it will introduce “limited advertisements” for Prime Video subscribers in February.
The streaming service announced previously that subscribers wanting to avoid commercials will need to pay a £2.99 monthly supplement. In an email delivered Wednesday, Amazon said: “This will allow us to continue investing in compelling content and keep increasing that investment over a long period of time.” Amazon has previously only shown advertisements around sporting events, such as its Christmas coverage of the Premier League.
Rather than introduce a new tier that will feature advertisements, Amazon subscribers will continue to pay £8.99 per month. However, Amazon says the fee, which also includes free delivery and its Prime Music service, won’t increase further. A £5.99 version without the delivery service is also available.
It added it is planning for “meaningfully fewer ads that ad-supported TV channels and other streaming providers.
Earlier this year, Netflix added its Basic with Ads; Disney followed suit in November.
In the UK, advertisements will first be seen on February 5, a week after North America, which will see them from January 29. Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Mexico and Australia will also see advertisements introduced.