Amazon Dominates Cord-Cutting? The Prime Video Factor

A recent report from Cord Cutters News has presented a surprising finding: Amazon Prime Video is reportedly the top streaming service used by cord-cutters, according to their survey. While many of us in the cord-cutting community might instinctively think of Netflix as the reigning champion, this data suggests a different reality. For me, a cord-cutter since 2011 and an Amazon Prime member since its early days (well before Prime Video even existed), this news definitely makes me pause and consider the underlying reasons.

My own relationship with Amazon Prime is firmly rooted in the convenience of free and fast shipping. The ability to order items and have them arrive quickly has been the primary driver for my continued membership year after year. If Amazon offered a Prime subscription solely focused on these shipping benefits, without the inclusion of Prime Video, I would likely choose that option. My engagement with Prime Video's content, while I occasionally browse, is minimal compared to the streaming services I actively subscribe to for their specific libraries of shows and movies.

This personal experience leads me to wonder about the interpretation of this survey data. Could it be that Prime Video's strong showing among cord-cutters isn't necessarily a testament to it being the most sought-after streaming platform for its content? Instead, it might be heavily influenced by its built-in nature within the incredibly popular Amazon Prime bundle. Millions of people subscribe to Prime for the shipping, and in doing so, automatically gain access to Prime Video, whether they actively watch it or not.

Think about it: when a survey asks which streaming services you use, someone who occasionally clicks on a movie on Prime Video simply because it's "there" might list it, even if the vast majority of their streaming hours are spent on Netflix, Disney Plus, Hulu, or other dedicated content platforms. The barrier to "using" Prime Video is significantly lower for Prime members – it requires no additional subscription or effort.

This isn't to diminish the content available on Prime Video. They have certainly invested in original programming and licensed titles. However, for many long-time Prime members like myself, the video service feels less like a primary entertainment destination and more like a feature that comes along with the shipping perks we truly value.

It raises questions about how these surveys are conducted and what "use" truly signifies. Does it mean the service you spend the most time watching? The service you would actively pay for as a standalone offering? Or simply a service you have access to and might occasionally open?

Ultimately, the Cord Cutters News report offers an interesting perspective on the streaming landscape. While Netflix remains a powerhouse, the sheer reach of Amazon Prime and the automatic inclusion of Prime Video cannot be ignored. It serves as a reminder that the cord-cutting world is complex, and viewing habits are influenced by a variety of factors, sometimes even the promise of free two-day shipping. My Streaming Life centers around platforms I actively subscribe to for their content, complemented by my antenna for local channels and occasional targeted subscriptions, making Prime Video a secondary consideration despite my Prime membership.