Amazon to launch an ad-free tier of Prime Video

Wait. What?

Isn't Prime Video already ad-free?

Why yes it is.

So, how is Amazon launching an ad-free tier?

Remember how Disney and Netflix and HBOMax/Max all added lower priced ad-supported tiers? Well, Amazon is doing the same thing, only in reverse. They're making the current plan ad-supported, and will charge extra for an ad-free tier. Links: Cord Cutters News, TV Answer Man, AFTV News.

But that's not right!

Okay. But they're Amazon. What are you going to do? Didn't you see that episode of South Park? You have no choice.

But that's not right!

And ...?

That was fun! Well, maybe not. But less fun is Amazon's decision to start pushing commercials to Prime Video, then charging more to not have commercials. That would mean the $140/year you're paying would go up $36/year to $176 for the same service you have today.

If it bothers you, think about it like this: Amazon is raising prices by $36/year, and offering a lower-priced ad-supported tier where you can save $36/year. Is that better? No. Well, again, too bad.

This is another price hike for a streaming service. We've had a lot of those in the last 2-3 years. My Streaming Life may end up being Amazon-free. I've been thinking about it for a while, but haven't worked out how to do it and keep the level of service from alternatives. Amazon has me over a barrel, and knows it. Just kidding. I'm not even on their radar. I'm not important enough for them to care about. But you know what? Neither are you. None of us are.