Amazon Prime Video is set to incorporate advertisements for its users in India beginning in 2025. This decision has been announced by the company, which already introduced ads in various regions including Australia, Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, and the United States, alongside several European nations. Soon, customers in India will experience advertisements during their viewing on the popular streaming platform. Those wishing to avoid these ads will have the option of subscribing to a pricier plan that is expected to be launched in the future.
According to a recent notification on its platform, Amazon has confirmed that it will roll out "limited" advertisements on Prime Video in India starting in 2025. The introduction of these ads is part of Amazon's strategy to enhance content investment for the streaming service and to "continue increasing that investment over an extended period." Users will encounter these advertisements while watching shows and films on Prime Video.
The company asserts that Prime Video will deliver "considerably less advertising than standard television and various other platforms streaming services." In the Indian market, platforms like Netflix and Disney+ Hotstar provide both ad-supported and higher-priced ad-free subscription options. Additionally, Amazon offers a Prime Lite subscription that allows access to content on Prime Video with ad interruptions and in 720p resolution.
For audiences who appreciate watching without commercial interruptions while enjoying their content, a new subscription option will be available for Prime Video. This could potentially be an add-on to the existing Amazon Prime subscription, available for Rs. 1,499 and includes access to Prime Video. The company has indicated that this pricing will remain unchanged in 2025, with further details on the cost of the ad-free subscription to be revealed down the line.
While the detailed schedule for the rollout of ads on Prime Video in India next year remains unclear, Amazon has assured Prime members they will receive notification "several weeks" prior to the launch, along with information regarding the new ad-free subscription and registration procedures. This shift will influence Amazon Prime members, but those with Prime Lite subscriptions, who are already encountering ads on the service will continue to operate without any impact from this change.