Netflix has changed the way we consume content and it has also helped us come up with nouns like Binge Watching. Amazon on the other hand has been the undisputed leader when it comes to ecommerce but its ambitions regarding a streaming service is a well-known secret. Amazon had been talking about its streaming services from quite some time and it was for this purpose the former Top Gear trio, including Jeremy Clarkson were hired by Amazon.
Amazon’s video streaming service is being offered at $8.99 a month, which is ironically a dollar less as opposed to what Netflix charges for its streaming service. It is most likely that Amazon will concentrate on its own in house content just like how Netflix found its success streak with the House of Cards and Narcos. As WSJ pointed out, Netflix is also one of the biggest customer for Amazon’s Cloud Service and this could make the things dicey for both Netflix and Amazon.
As of now Amazon Prime customers have been paying $99 every year and from now onward Amazon has introduced a monthly payment method for prime customer with an option to pause the service during non-holiday season, something in the lines of on demand services. Amazon also seems to have derived the confidence of pitting against Netflix from its exclusive content which will also include famous titles like “Hunger Games: Catching Fire” and also TV shows like “Downton Abbey Season 5”.
The best part of the deal is that you don’t have to shell anything extra for the streaming service if you are already an Amazon prime member which is a great thing considering the benefits Prime subscribers already have over the regular ones. Here is a list of Amazon exclusive shows/movies which needless to say are not on Netflix.
Yet another differentiating factor is the add on subscriptions, this works similar to the add on packs we subscribe on DTH. This will further allow you to watch shows from other content providers, for instance “Homeland” is a sought after TV show by HBO Showtime, this doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to subscribe to HBO’s Video streaming services.
That being said, Amazon still has a long way to go but backed up with the necessary support from the parent company the ride might not be rocky after all. On demand streaming services have been picking pace and with Netflix Recommended TV Program it is almost certain that the folks would prefer streaming services over cable services.