Featured Image Credit: ITV / Wiki Commons
Topics: Martin Lewis, Money, TV and Film, Amazon Prime, UK News
Jess Battison
Topics: Martin Lewis, Money, TV and Film, Amazon Prime, UK News
You know things are serious when Martin Lewis has his say.
And the Money Saving Expert has issued a new warning that’ll effect the way you watch some of your favourite shows and films.
In case you missed it, Amazon Prime is making a major change to viewers' experiences - unless they cough up extra cash.
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From 5 February, customers in UK and Germany are going to have to splash out an extra £2.99 a month on top of their Prime subscriptions to be able to enjoy Prime Video without adverts.
Yep, Amazon is now following in the footsteps of Netflix and is introducing an ad-supported tier.
Lewis is, of course, making sure we’re all aware of this money-costing change as he wrote on X: “Amazon Prime Video customer? From 5 Feb it'll charge you to avoid ads,” before sharing a link to his Money Saving Expert website explaining just how the streaming subscription is changing.
In case you’re wondering just how your binge watching of shows on Prime Video will be affected, Lewis’ site says: “Amazon told us it was currently unable to confirm exactly when these ads will be played (for example, if they'll be shown during content or only before it).
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“However, it says it aims to have ‘meaningfully fewer’ ads than ad-supported TV channels and other streaming TV providers.”
Money Saving Expert also explains that it’s effectively a price hike of 33 percent to 76 percent for people wanting to keep their ad-free experience.
It also points out: “Live events, such as sports, and content offered through Amazon's Freevee service already include adverts and will continue to do so, even if you pay for the ad-free add-on.”
And it adds that the changes are going to affect all Amazon Prime subscribers, including monthly and annual Prime and Prime Student members plus ‘those who subscribe to Prime Video only’.
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If you’re not sure how much you’re paying here’s a quick breakdown thanks to Money Saving Expert.
Prime's monthly subscription is currently at £8.99 but will increase 33 percent to £11.98 for ad-free.
Prime's annual subscription is at £95 but will go up 38 percent to £130.88 and Prime Student's annual subscription will go up 76 percent to £83.37.
Prime Student's monthly subscription will go up 67 percent to £7.48 and the Prime Video only monthly subscription will now cost £8.98 for ad-free.
If you are paying annually and decide to cancel altogether due to the change, Amazon told Money Saving Expert that you’ll be able to get a pro rata refund.