Amazon Prime Video offers a unique blend of services that puts it within a range of video streaming subcategories. The main bundle of Amazon Prime Video makes it a direct competitor to Netflix. However, the inclusion of add-on channels, including Starz, Showtime, and HBO, puts the service in direct competition with TV replacement services, such as Sling TV and Hulu.
Access to a video library for purchase or rental mimics the services offered by a third video streaming service category and puts Amazon Prime Video in competition with Vudu and DVD.com.
The inclusion of the Amazon Prime Video service as a perk of Amazon Prime membership makes a comparison between this video streaming service and its nearest rivals difficult because no other online video service included shipping discounts on goods. Now that Amazon Prime Video is available as a standalone service, it should become easier to identify customer satisfaction with the video service alone.
Amazon Prime Video overview
Although Netflix is the leading video streaming service in the United States and worldwide, Amazon Prime Video has the number two slot worldwide and is number three in the USA.
The concept of renting and selling videos wasn’t a far leap from Amazon’s original core activity of selling books. As the Amazon service expanded into a general sales platform, the evolution of Amazon Prime occurred. This is a premium membership service for buyers and sellers on the platform, bringing special perks, such as free shipping. The video rental service followed the lead of Netflix and switched from actual physical DVDs to streaming as a delivery method.
As Amazon Prime members get special benefits, it seemed only natural to include the monthly subscription to the video streaming service in with Amazon Prime membership. Amazon Prime Video finally became a standalone service and now video streamers can choose whether to have Amazon Prime membership that includes Amazon Prime Video or to just get a subscription to Amazon Prime Video without the trading platform benefits.
What shows and movies are on Amazon Prime Video?
A subscription to Amazon Prime Video gives access to more than 10,000 videos. Some videos are streamed in HD and some are streamed in 4K HDR (4K Ultra HD).
Amazon has been investing heavily in original content. Without co-producing TV shows and movies or producing entertainment inhouse with Amazon Studios all the video streaming service can hope to show are TV episodes that have already aired elsewhere.
The Amazon Originals brand has become a major marketing tool to encourage new subscribers. The company has become a major Hollywood production company in order to get new movies to host. The original movies and original series on the service are not only produced in the United States.
Amazon Prime Video also includes award-winning co-productions from other countries. This is an essential strategy if Amazon Prime Video is going to hold its position ahead of Hulu, HBO, and Showtime, which also produce their own original content.
Netflix is aware that its own original content is a key element to keep it in the number one position. New entrants to the market, such as Disney+ are also spearheading their marketing drives with original content.
Here are some of the original movies and shows developed by Amazon Prime Video.
Shows
- The Man in the High Castle
- The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
- Good Omens
- Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan
- Transparent
- Hunters
- Fleabag
- The Grand Tour
- The Boys
Movies
- You Were Never Really Here
- Paterson
- The Big Sick
- The Lost City of Z
- The Handmaiden
- Brittany Runs a Marathon
- The Report
Original content is still a small portion of the full library available from the streaming service. Amazon expands the entertainment available on its video streaming service by cooperating with its rivals. Amazon Prime Video includes premium channel packages, which are provided by HBO, Showtime, and Starz, among others. These channels are add-ons and not included in the price of an Amazon Prime Video subscription.
Amazon Prime Video devices
The presence of a home wifi network will increase your options to get Amazon Prime Video onto a TV set. Some smart TVs can receive video streaming services directly from the internet.
Streaming platforms and devices
- Web browser
- GoogleChromecast
- Roku
- Apple TV
- Android TV box
- Amazon Fire TV Stick
- Amazon Fire TV Cube
Video game consoles
- Xbox
- PlayStation
Mobile devices
- Prime Video app for iOS
- Prime Video app for Android (also works on Kindle tablets)
Smart TVs
- Samsung smart TV
- LG Smart TV
- Vizio smart TV
Amazon Prime Video price
Amazon Prime Video can be purchased as part of Amazon Prime or just as a video package.
- Amazon Prime costs $12.99 per month and includes the right to stream to three devices simultaneously.
- Amazon Prime Video costs $8.99 per month and includes the right to steam to three devices simultaneously.
Contract conditions
Amazon Prime doesn’t impose a contract or a minimum service period. There are no early termination fees to pay if you cancel the service.
How to cancel Amazon Prime Video
It is very easy to end an Amazon Prime Video subscription. There are no refunds for partial months. The service will continue to be available until the end of the period that has been paid for. Those who are on the free trial will continue to get access until the trial period expires and they will not be charged at the end of that period.
- Go to your Amazon Prime account page.
- Click on Manage.
- Select Update, Cancel, and More.
- Click on End Membership.
- Confirm the cancellation on the following screen.
Amazon Prime Video deals
You can’t get any discounts on Amazon Prime Video from third parties. Amazon only sells its subscriptions direct to the public. However, you can get deals through Amazon Prime. Check out the price of the add-on packages such as HBO, Starz, or Showtime against the price you would pay for those services through your local cable TV provider.
Free trial
Amazon offers a 30-day free trial of Amazon Prime and Amazon Prime Video. The user has to enter bank card details in order to get the free trial. However, the card won’t be charged. The service will roll over automatically to the paid subscription at the end of the 30 days. So, those who don’t want to pay need to keep track of the passing days and cancel the service before the free trial period expires.
