Amazon Prime Video subscribers in India may soon have to pay more to continue enjoying an uninterrupted, ad-free streaming experience. Starting June 17, the platform will introduce advertisements on its content. To avoid these ads, users will need to purchase an additional ad-free subscription plan, leading to a noticeable hike in overall Prime membership costs.
Amazon has confirmed that beginning June 17, viewers in India will start seeing ads while watching web series, movies, and TV shows on Prime Video. This move follows Amazon’s global strategy to monetize content through advertising unless subscribers opt for an ad-free experience.
To continue enjoying ad-free content, users must purchase a separate ad-free add-on plan. The pricing for this add-on is:
Rs 699 per year, or
Rs 129 per month
This add-on is charged on top of the existing Prime membership, increasing the overall cost for users who want an uninterrupted streaming experience.
Amazon offers three Prime membership tiers in India, each with different features and pricing:
This budget-friendly plan provides access to Amazon’s fast delivery and shopping benefits, but does not include Prime Video or Prime Music.
This mid-tier plan offers:
Prime Video streaming limited to 720p resolution
Access to Prime Music, Prime Reading, and fast delivery
The most comprehensive plan, offering:
Full HD streaming on Prime Video
All Prime benefits including shopping, music, and e-books
With the ad-free plan becoming mandatory for those who want uninterrupted viewing, here’s how the pricing will change across tiers:
|
Plan |
Base Price |
Ad-Free Add-On |
Total New Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Prime Shopping Edition |
Rs 399 (12 months) |
Not applicable |
Rs 399 |
|
Prime Lite |
Rs 799 (12 months) |
Rs 699 (12 months) |
Rs 1,498 |
|
Standard Prime |
Rs 1,499 (12 months) |
Rs 699 (12 months) |
Rs 2,198 |
|
Standard Prime (Monthly) |
Rs 299 |
Rs 129 |
Rs 428/month |
|
Standard Prime (Quarterly) |
Rs 599 |
Rs 699 (annual add-on) |
Rs 1,298/year |
In addition to these changes, Amazon has reduced the number of devices allowed to stream Prime Video simultaneously. While previously users could sign in and stream on up to 10 devices, that number has now been cut down to just 2 devices at a time, significantly limiting flexibility for households with multiple viewers.
These updates signal a shift in Amazon’s strategy for Prime Video, bringing it closer to the business models of other major streaming platforms that combine subscriptions with advertising or charge extra for an ad-free experience.
For users, this means:
Higher subscription costs if they want uninterrupted streaming
Tighter limitations on the number of devices that can access Prime Video content simultaneously
The need to re-evaluate which plan offers the best value for their streaming and shopping needs