Ad-free upgrade available in India for Rs 129/month or Rs 699/year
Prime Video introduces ads
Starting June 17, Amazon Prime Video has begun displaying advertisements within its content, marking a significant change for subscribers. This move comes as part of Amazon’s broader strategy to enhance revenue amid intensifying competition in the video-on-demand space.
According to Adweek, viewers can now expect between 4 to 6 minutes of ads per hour of content. For example, a 3-hour film may feature up to 18 minutes of advertisements.
Subscribers were first notified via email on May 13, although the message did not specify the exact timing or placement of ads. Amazon has assured users that it will include “meaningfully fewer” ads than traditional television and other streaming services.
Ad-free option now available
To maintain a seamless viewing experience, Amazon is offering an ad-free upgrade. In India, subscribers can opt out of ads by paying an additional Rs 129 per month or Rs 699 per year, on top of their existing Prime subscription-Rs 299/month or Rs 1,499/year.
The upgrade applies to all profiles under a single Prime account. While most content will be ad-free, Amazon notes that some titles may still feature skippable promotional trailers.
Marketplace changes
Separately, Amazon India recently introduced a Rs 5 marketplace fee per customer order (inclusive of taxes). Though some product categories are exempt, this aligns Amazon with platforms like Blinkit, Zepto, and Swiggy Instamart, which have also adopted similar order-based charges.
