Prime Video to Charge $2 Extra to Skip Ads Starting April
Amazon has revealed a major shift for Prime Video subscribers in Brazil, introducing ads to movies and series starting April 2, 2025. Those who prefer an ad-free experience will need to pay an additional R$ 10 (roughly $2 USD) per month, raising the subscription cost to R$ 29.90. The change, announced via email to users, aligns Prime Video with global streaming giants like Netflix, Disney+, and Max, which already feature ads in their catalogs. Amazon explained that the move will fuel further investment in high-quality content, promising fewer ads than traditional TV or rival platforms. This update will affect millions of Brazilian subscribers to Prime Video, currently priced at R$ 19.90 monthly or R$ 166.80 annually as part of the broader Amazon Prime package.
Subscribers opting out of ads can switch to the new ad-free plan on the same rollout date, while those sticking with the base plan at R$ 19.90 will begin seeing commercials. Amazon emphasized flexibility, allowing users to cancel anytime with a prorated refund or check their renewal date online. The decision taps into a growing revenue stream, with Amazon’s ad business surging 24% in 2024, hitting $11.82 billion globally in the first quarter alone. As one of Brazil’s most affordable streaming options—especially at R$ 13.90 monthly via the annual plan—the ad introduction could reshape how users perceive its value, particularly with the ad-free option nearing competitor pricing.
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Globally, Prime Video boasts over 200 million monthly users on its ad-supported tier, and 2025 will see this model expand to markets like Brazil, India, and Japan. The platform’s robust catalog, including hits like “The Boys” and “The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power,” alongside upcoming sports rights like NBA broadcasts, underpins Amazon’s confidence in retaining subscribers despite the change.
Prime Video Shift Stirs Streaming Landscape
Ads Bring New Viewing Dynamics to Subscribers
Come April, Brazilian Prime Video users will face a choice: tolerate ads or pay more for uninterrupted viewing. Amazon has pledged a lighter ad load compared to broadcast TV or other streaming services, though exact durations remain unspecified. In the U.S., where ads debuted in January 2024, viewers see 2 to 3.5 minutes per hour, hinting at what Brazil might expect. Reactions among subscribers vary—some see the current R$ 19.90 price as reasonable enough to accept ads, while others are ready to upgrade to the R$ 29.90 ad-free tier to preserve their experience.
The Amazon Prime bundle, encompassing Video, free shipping, and Prime Music, enjoys widespread popularity in Brazil, with millions of active members. Adding ads could test this loyalty, especially as competitors like Globoplay offer ad-supported plans at R$ 24.90 monthly. Amazon is banking on its premium content and exclusive sports offerings to keep users hooked, even with occasional commercial breaks disrupting their binge-watching sessions.
Rivals Already Embrace Ad-Supported Models
Netflix, Disney+, Max, Paramount+, and Globoplay have all integrated ads into some tiers in Brazil, leaving AppleTV+ as the lone major holdout without commercials. Netflix’s ad plan costs R$ 20.90 monthly, while Max charges R$ 29.90 for its basic ad-supported option. Disney+ includes ads in bundles like its Mercado Livre combo at R$ 27.99. By keeping the base Prime Video price at R$ 19.90 with ads, Amazon stays competitive, though the R$ 10 add-on for an ad-free experience brings it closer to Netflix’s standard R$ 39.90 tier or Max’s ad-free R$ 39.90 plan.
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This ad trend reflects the soaring costs of original programming and sports rights, such as Prime Video’s NBA deal set for 2025. In Brazil, where streaming prices are tailored to local purchasing power, ads offer a way to offset these expenses without hiking the base subscription fee outright.
Subscriber Options and Market Impact
Transition Details Unveiled for April Switch
Amazon clarified that no immediate action is required for subscribers to stay on the ad-supported plan, which kicks in automatically on April 2, 2025. Those choosing the ad-free option can activate it that day for R$ 29.90 monthly—a 50% jump from the current rate—via their account settings on the Prime website or app. Notifications will roll out beforehand to guide users. Annual subscribers switching to the ad-free plan will see prorated costs adjusted at their next renewal.
Key dates for the rollout include:
- February 2025: email notifications begin reaching subscribers.
- April 2, 2025: ads launch, and the ad-free plan becomes available.
- Annual renewals: price adjustments apply for those opting into the R$ 29.90 tier.
The cancellation option with prorated refunds caters to dissatisfied users, though Amazon anticipates most will stick with the ad-supported tier, mirroring trends in the U.S., where fewer than 10% upgraded to ad-free after the 2024 rollout.
Cobertura completa: Entretenimento
Amazon’s Global Ad Push Hits Brazil
The ad expansion stems from Amazon’s broader strategy, unveiled at the 2024 UnBoxed Amazon Ads event in Austin, Texas. Beyond Brazil, countries like India, Japan, the Netherlands, and New Zealand will see ads in 2025, targeting over 200 million monthly viewers. In Brazil, Prime Video’s affordability has made it a streaming leader, and ads could lure local advertisers, boosting revenue that hit $1.8 billion in upfront U.S. commitments in 2024 alone.
Amazon plans to roll out innovative ad formats, such as shoppable and interactive commercials, letting viewers buy products directly from their screens. Paired with a strong catalog and sports like NFL and NBA, these moves position Prime Video as a formidable player in Brazil’s streaming market, even with the ad shift.
