Amazon's shady Prime Video practices are paying off big time

Summary

Amazon Prime Video automatically moved subscribers to ad-based tier in 2023 and charged $3 extra to remove ads.
Subscribers reacted negatively to Amazon’s decision but new data suggests almost 90% of users are fine with ads.
Peacock introduces daily games and “Can’t-Miss Clips” feature on its mobile app, mimicking NY Times’ games app.

By now, pretty much every streaming service (with the notable exception of Apple TV+) has some sort of ad-supported option. However, users have to opt-in to these subscriptions, and streamers like Netflix, Max, Disney+ and more have been able to successfully lure subscribers to these money-making tiers with lower subscription prices. However, back in 2023, Amazon Prime Video tried something completely different when it came to moving users to an ad-supported tier. Instead of introducing a cheaper tier with ads, they automatically moved every single subscriber to their ad-based tier, and announced that those who didn’t want to see ads would have to start paying $3 more for the privilege in the new year.

As you might expect, reaction to this was overwhelmingly negative, with angry subscribers threatening online to cancel the service over the change. And while some users may indeed have unsubscribed to Amazon Prime Video due to this change, it looks like the vast majority of those who stayed are just fine with watching ads, as new data from Digital I suggests that the service now has nearly 90% of users on its ad-supported tier, more than Netflix, Disney+ and Max combined. And while there are some questions about how much users of the larger Prime service use the included Prime Video add-on, it seems that, at least according to this data, Amazon’s controversial move in 2023 has paid off.

It’s probably too late for Netflix or any of the other streamers to do something similar (and I can’t imagine Apple adding ads to their service in this way), but it just goes to show that while there was plenty of backlash to this move initially, it ultimately worked out very well as more users are watching ads on Prime Video than anywhere else, which certainly is making Amazon a ton of money.

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Peacock adds games and short video clips to mobile app

Great options for when you’re bored at work, I guess

Peacock

Seemingly taking a page from Netflix, Peacock has introduced several new features for its mobile app that are aimed at getting users to do more than just stream content. First up is a daily games hub that includes puzzles, trivia, and themed “prediction” games tied to specific shows. The inclusion seems like an effort to intentionally mirror the success of the New York Times’ games app, which has become something of a pop culture phenomenon.

And if you don’t feel like booting up a streaming app to play games, Peacock has also introduced a new feed called “Can’t-miss Clips” that includes short video segments from popular shows in a TikTok-style scrollable feed.

These new features are available now in the Peacock mobile app for those who want to check them out and do something other than watch a show or movie on a streaming app.

Free streaming is becoming a threat to Disney+, Netflix and Max

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The Google TV Streamer finally gets a decent discount

The Chromecast replacement might just be worth picking up at this price

Google TV Streamer

$80 $100 Save $20

The Google TV Streamer is a streaming device designed to support the latest video and audio technologies with AI integration and smart home control.

Dimensions: 6.4 x 3 x 1-inch
Connective Technology: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
Brand: Google
What’s Included: Remote
Bluetooth codecs: Bluetooth® 5.1
Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi 802.11ac (2.4 GHz / 5 GHz)

In his review of the Google TV Streamer, TV reporter Anthony Marcusa described it as “an impressive device designed to assist those who are trying to make sense of a lot of titles from a lot of different services.” and praised the device’s clean aesthetic and ease of use. However, his main issue with the device was its $100 price point, which he didn’t think was justified, especially considering how inexpensive the TV Streamer’s predecessor, the Google Chromecast was.

However, it looks like good things come to those who wait, as the Google TV Streamer is now on sale for $80, its lowest price seen since the device went on sale last year. If you’ve been thinking about snagging one of these, it looks like the best time to do so is right now so you can snag that sweet, sweet 20% savings.

Amazon Fire TV 4-Series on orange background.

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Pacific Rim series is officially coming to Prime Video

Great news for mecha and kaiju fans (so basically, me)

Lionsgate

Bringing it back to Prime Video for our final bit of news this week, Variety reports that a live-action Pacific Rim prequel series is now in development for the Amazon-owned streamer thanks to a deal struck between lead studio Legendary Television and Amazon MGM Studios.

This is actually the second streaming destination for the franchise as Netflix produced an animated spin-off series called Pacific Rim: The Black which ran for two seasons between 2021 and 2022 before being canceled.

Hopefully the Amazon-produced show lasts a little longer, as there are tie-in films reportedly on offer as well if the series does well.