Amazon Prime Video has confirmed its plans to incorporate advertising into its streaming service starting early next year. This move comes as part of Amazon’s strategy to continue investing in content and expand its offerings over the long term.

Initially, ads in Prime Video content will be rolled out in select countries, including the US, UK, Germany, and Canada in early 2024. Subscribers in France, Italy, Spain, and Mexico will follow suit later in the same year.

To provide users with an ad-free experience, Amazon has introduced a new option. In the US, Amazon Prime members can opt for an ad-free subscription for an additional monthly fee of $2.99 (approximately Rs. 200). Pricing details for other countries will be announced at a later date.

Amazon is committed to ensuring that the introduction of advertisements in Prime Video content doesn’t disrupt the viewing experience for its users. The company plans to send emails to Prime members in the US, providing advance notice several weeks before the ads are introduced, along with instructions on how to subscribe to the ad-free option.

Amazon’s approach to advertising in its streaming service aims to strike a balance, offering “meaningfully fewer” ads compared to traditional linear TV and other streaming TV providers.

While this marks a significant development for Amazon Prime Video, it’s worth noting that other major players in the streaming industry, such as Netflix and Disney+, have already introduced ad-supported services as part of their offerings.

As Amazon continues to evolve its streaming platform, subscribers can expect to see a combination of both ad-supported and ad-free options, providing greater flexibility and choice for viewers.