As a part of IGN’s State of Streaming occasion, we’re taking a recent take a look at the key streaming providers and what they provide subscribers in 2022. You’ll be able to take a look at our preliminary ideas on Amazon’s Prime Video service as of 2019, and see what’s modified (for higher or worse) on this up to date evaluation.
Because the streaming wars proceed to unfold, Amazon’s Prime Video stays the quintessential “jack of all trades, grasp of none.” The service doesn’t rival Netflix for the sheer scope of unique content material. Nor does it boast the most recent and biggest person interface or reside TV performance. However between its well-rounded library, its emphasis on non-obligatory Channels, and its aggressive value, Prime Video is a simple selection for many cord-cutters.
Prime Video’s Film and TV Library
Authentic, unique content material is a should for any streaming service making an attempt to carve a slice of the pie, and that’s solely develop into extra true in recent times as extra providers like HBO Max, Peacock, and Paramount+ have sprung up. The “Amazon Originals” library doesn’t have the width and depth to rival Netflix. Even HBO Max arguably makes a stronger case on the unique content material entrance, although, given the present state of turmoil at Warner Bros. Discovery, it stays to be seen whether or not that can stay the case.
That being mentioned, Amazon has at all times appeared to emphasise high quality over amount with Prime Video, and that strategy undoubtedly has its deserves. The service boasts a various assortment of comedies (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Fleabag, Disaster), dramas (Bosch, The Underground Railroad), high-quality style fare (The Expanse, The Wheel of Time), and two of the easiest superhero exhibits round in The Boys and Invincible. That’s to say nothing of the massive draw that’s The Rings of Energy, which can give Amazon the Sport of Thrones competitor it’s been looking for.
And whereas Netflix has taken loads of flak for repeatedly shedding licensed content material in favor of its personal properties, Prime Video nonetheless boasts a powerful assortment of legacy content material (together with your entire Lord of the Rings/Hobbit and James Bond sequence). The service has taken successful in recent times with the lack of traditional HBO content material like The Sopranos and The Wire and NBC sitcoms like Parks & Rec. Actually, the HBO exodus might be the one largest downgrade Prime Video has skilled within the years since our unique evaluation. However to be truthful, that was sure to occur as soon as HBO Max and Peacock grew to become a actuality.
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One of many main benefits of Prime Video is that this already enticing library is additional bolstered by means of non-obligatory add-on Channels and a la carte purchases. Like Apple TV+, customers can purchase just about any film or present they need and add that content material to their Prime Video library.
As for Channels, these add-ons assist make Prime Video a extra enticing various for aspiring cord-cutters. Paid channels like AMC+, Starz, and Paramount+ open up extra unique content material and remove the necessity for separate streaming providers. Channels like MLB.television assist increase Prime Video’s rising however nonetheless spotty lineup of reside sports activities content material. There are additionally free, ad-supported Channels like Amazon’s personal Freevee (the rebranded IMDb TV).
Prime Video’s Consumer Interface
In our unique evaluation, we famous Prime Video has at all times struggled towards its rivals the place the person interface is worried. Whereas the service has seen some beauty upgrades within the three years since, the essential flaws nonetheless stay in impact.
The principle sticking level with Prime Video’s interface is and at all times has been the clunky strategy to looking content material. The principle screens are at all times divided into rows of beneficial content material. These suggestions are weighted closely in direction of Prime Originals, and it’s not unusual to see the identical motion pictures and exhibits pop up repeatedly as you scroll down the web page. Relying on the gadget in query, it can be tough to differentiate between the flicks and exhibits freely out there on Prime Video and paid content material. There’s at all times the choice to seek for particular motion pictures and exhibits, however outcomes may be pretty hit-or-miss relying on whether or not you’re looking for a particular film or present versus a style.
On that word, the final person expertise can fluctuate fairly a bit relying on whether or not you select to stream from a Kindle Hearth-branded gadget, a cellphone, or through PC. The previous group undoubtedly appears to obtain the lion’s share of Amazon’s consideration, with a extra visually enticing interface and choices like classes that aren’t out there on different gadgets. On the alternative finish of the spectrum, PC customers are nonetheless caught utilizing an online browser in lieu of a devoted app. Even which may be preferable to the Android app, with many customers complaining about important lag and different technical issues.
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It’s value noting that Amazon not too long ago started rolling out a brand new interface in July 2022. There are some noticeable enhancements on this new model, notably with the best way it streamlines and strikes the navigation bar, however for essentially the most half, the replace is a extra beauty makeover than the full-fledged overhaul Prime Video wants.
Interface points apart, truly watching motion pictures on Prime Video tends to be a pleasing expertise. The service has a wholesome and steadily rising lineup of 4K and HDR content material. Even higher, that 4K content material is obtainable to everybody, moderately than being locked behind pricier subscription tiers. There’s additionally rather a lot to be mentioned for the X-ray operate, which pulls up actor names, trivia, and different particulars from the IMDb database. And the power to obtain movies to your gadget for offline viewing is one other good perk. The one catch is that these downloads are capped at 25 per account, in order that could possibly be a difficulty for anybody who plans on being off the grid for an prolonged time frame.
Prime Video’s Worth
Prime Video might not have a Netflix-sized library or any killer options to really set it other than the gang, however it does have the benefit in a single key space – pricing. By itself, the service is among the many higher offers within the streaming enviornment today. When taken as one piece of the bigger puzzle that’s Amazon Prime, it’s a downright steal.
It’s attainable to subscribe to Prime Video with out having an Amazon Prime membership. Amazon presently costs $8.99 per thirty days for Prime Video. That is available in a greenback beneath Netflix’s Fundamental plan, and it contains perks Netflix Fundamental doesn’t, like 4K streaming and the power for 2 customers to stream concurrently. And when you might often see fast teasers for Amazon Originals, there are not any adverts on Prime Video outdoors of the ad-supported Channels like Freevee.
However presumably, most Prime Video customers are additionally Amazon Prime members. Amazon Prime has undoubtedly crept up in value through the years, presently sitting at $14.99 per thirty days or $139 per 12 months. However for a lot of customers, that value is nicely well worth the comfort of free 2-day delivery alone, a lot much less Prime Video and the varied different perks that come included with Prime. From that perspective, Prime Video is well among the finest offers in streaming.
