Amazon Video Add-On Subscriptions
#1
Moderator
Thread Starter
Amazon Video Add-On Subscriptions
Amazon just debuted their new Add-On Subscription service to Prime Streaming. You can now subscribe to premium services like Showtime, Starz, AcornTV, Shudder, DramaFever, ConTV, and many others. You can watch the videos through Amazon's app. And you can also use your Amazon account to sign-in on the individual stand-alone apps.
www.amazon.com/videosubscriptions
<iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WXYNP7ffWLQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
www.amazon.com/videosubscriptions
<iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WXYNP7ffWLQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Amazon Brings Showtime, Starz and Other Video Services to Prime As Add-Ons
Amazon’s Prime members just got a new perk: Showtime and Starz, unbundled and cheap. The internet company launched a new initiative called “Streaming Partners Program” Tuesday that allows Prime members to add subscription programming from close to 20 partners for an added fee to their Prime video service.
Some of the add-on programming includes Showtime, Starz, the Lifetime Movie Club, AMC’s Shudder and SundanceNow subscription services, Comedy Central’s Standup+ Service, Acorn TV, Dramafever, the Dove Channel, IndieFlix and Ring TV Boxing. Consumers will be able to pick and choose these add-ons on an a la carte basis, and change their lineup month to month.
---------------
Add-on subscriptions are available through Amazon’s video app on Android, iOS, Kindle Fire, Roku, Fire TV and other supported devices, which the company touts as an easier way to consume subscription video services. Consumers can, however, also use their Amazon credentials to log into the stand-alone apps of participating services, which will be good news to anyone looking to stream any of this programming on Chromecast or Apple TV. Amazon is currently embroiled in a dispute with both companies, and has yet to extend Prime video support to their platforms.
At least in some cases, it’s also cheaper: Showtime will be available for just $8.99 a month, compared to the $10.99 a month a user pays when subscribing through Apple’s iTunes store or Google Play. However, Hulu is also reselling Showtime for $8.99 a month as part of its effort to build a similar a la carte bouquet on top of its existing subscription service.
Amazon has plans to add additional partners to the program in the future, which could include sports and at some point possibly even live programming.
READ MORE - http://variety.com/2015/digital/news...me-1201656131/
Amazon’s Prime members just got a new perk: Showtime and Starz, unbundled and cheap. The internet company launched a new initiative called “Streaming Partners Program” Tuesday that allows Prime members to add subscription programming from close to 20 partners for an added fee to their Prime video service.
Some of the add-on programming includes Showtime, Starz, the Lifetime Movie Club, AMC’s Shudder and SundanceNow subscription services, Comedy Central’s Standup+ Service, Acorn TV, Dramafever, the Dove Channel, IndieFlix and Ring TV Boxing. Consumers will be able to pick and choose these add-ons on an a la carte basis, and change their lineup month to month.
---------------
Add-on subscriptions are available through Amazon’s video app on Android, iOS, Kindle Fire, Roku, Fire TV and other supported devices, which the company touts as an easier way to consume subscription video services. Consumers can, however, also use their Amazon credentials to log into the stand-alone apps of participating services, which will be good news to anyone looking to stream any of this programming on Chromecast or Apple TV. Amazon is currently embroiled in a dispute with both companies, and has yet to extend Prime video support to their platforms.
At least in some cases, it’s also cheaper: Showtime will be available for just $8.99 a month, compared to the $10.99 a month a user pays when subscribing through Apple’s iTunes store or Google Play. However, Hulu is also reselling Showtime for $8.99 a month as part of its effort to build a similar a la carte bouquet on top of its existing subscription service.
Amazon has plans to add additional partners to the program in the future, which could include sports and at some point possibly even live programming.
READ MORE - http://variety.com/2015/digital/news...me-1201656131/
#2
DVD Talk Godfather
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Home of 2013 NFL champion Seahawks
Posts: 52,611
Received 1,015 Likes
on
839 Posts
Re: Amazon Video Add-On Subscriptions
So it looks like this applies to current shows, like a cable add-on subscription would? They're offering The Affair season 2 and Masters of Sex season 3, among others, in the Showtime package.
I wonder if this would be easier to sign up for and drop than a cable equivalent.
I wonder if this would be easier to sign up for and drop than a cable equivalent.
#3
Moderator
Thread Starter
Re: Amazon Video Add-On Subscriptions
Dealing with my cable company requires 10 minutes to get through the "Press 1 for English" labyrinth, followed by 30+ minutes of "Your call is important to us, please wait for the next customer service representative" never-ending hell.
#4
DVD Talk Special Edition
Re: Amazon Video Add-On Subscriptions
So it looks like this applies to current shows, like a cable add-on subscription would? They're offering The Affair season 2 and Masters of Sex season 3, among others, in the Showtime package.
I wonder if this would be easier to sign up for and drop than a cable equivalent.
I wonder if this would be easier to sign up for and drop than a cable equivalent.
And also, yes this would be MUCH easier to sign up for than cable. And more importantly, drop. You can simply manage your subscriptions online & turn it off & it will stop after the billing cycle. Rather than having to make a call to your cable company & have them try to talk you into retaining.
Now it's time for Amazon to offer a monthly streaming-only plan & separate from the $100/annual that includes shipping, music, and Kindle books.
#5
DVD Talk God
Re: Amazon Video Add-On Subscriptions
I already subscribe to Starz and Showtime through Directv. I have 6 months of credits that run through next April keeping my cost to $6.99 to Starz and $7.99 for Showtime. So I'm good with them.
I also subscribe to DramaFever, mainly for my Mom who's into Korean dramas. We pay a $40 flat rate per year directly through them as a grandfathered rate. It's actually cheaper than this.
I'm intrigued by Shudder. Does anyone here subscribe to it? I like that it's a horror themed SVOD add-on and $4.99 isn't outrageous.
Most of the other content seems a little too niche and not really in my interests.
I also subscribe to DramaFever, mainly for my Mom who's into Korean dramas. We pay a $40 flat rate per year directly through them as a grandfathered rate. It's actually cheaper than this.
I'm intrigued by Shudder. Does anyone here subscribe to it? I like that it's a horror themed SVOD add-on and $4.99 isn't outrageous.
Most of the other content seems a little too niche and not really in my interests.
#6
Moderator
Thread Starter
Re: Amazon Video Add-On Subscriptions
Even though the catalog is small (around 300 movies), I'd say at least 90% are worth watching. They do a great job of picking interesting movies. There's very little filler.
My only gripes are that I wish they had more movies. They don't update very often. And some of the foreign movies are English dub. Although they seem to be getting better with that.
You should give it a try. I think it's a 2-week free trial, then they charge $4.99/month. Here's the site if you want to see which titles they offer:
https://www.shudder.com/
#7
Moderator
Thread Starter
Re: Amazon Video Add-On Subscriptions
I'd also recommend Acorn TV. They have a great library of British Mysteries and Drama shows. They also have some stuff from Australia and a few foreign language shows from Europe.
https://acorn.tv/browse/browseall
https://acorn.tv/browse/browseall
#9
DVD Talk God
#10
DVD Talk Legend
#11
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Amazon Video Add-On Subscriptions
Darn it blocked at work anyway Will have to wait until I get home tomorrow. Showtime and Starz seem promising.
#13
Moderator
Thread Starter
Re: Amazon Video Add-On Subscriptions
Showtime and Starz are each $8.99/month with a 1-week free trial.
Everything else seems to be $4.99/month. A few are $3.99/month (DramaFever, Lifetime, Comedy Central).
Looks like everything has at least a 1-week free trial. A few are two weeks. Acorn TV has a 1-month free trial.
Everything else seems to be $4.99/month. A few are $3.99/month (DramaFever, Lifetime, Comedy Central).
Looks like everything has at least a 1-week free trial. A few are two weeks. Acorn TV has a 1-month free trial.
#14
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Amazon Video Add-On Subscriptions
Thanks!!
One WEEK Free trial? Lame.
I have iTunes credits for 5 months of HBO + Showtime (although I may do a month of each separately to spread them out and alternate them over ten months). I can see doing Showtime and Starz but not on a regular basis. Subscribe, see a bunch of stuff that month, unsubscribe. I only use Hulu when a new season of Grey's Anatomy or Biggest Loser comes out (and freeze it like now when GA is in hiatus).
One WEEK Free trial? Lame.
I have iTunes credits for 5 months of HBO + Showtime (although I may do a month of each separately to spread them out and alternate them over ten months). I can see doing Showtime and Starz but not on a regular basis. Subscribe, see a bunch of stuff that month, unsubscribe. I only use Hulu when a new season of Grey's Anatomy or Biggest Loser comes out (and freeze it like now when GA is in hiatus).
#15
DVD Talk Gold Edition
Re: Amazon Video Add-On Subscriptions
I can understand Showtime but IMO, everything else listed should be regular no-additional-cost prime. If this is the route they are going I don't see much of a reason to keep prime. What are they going to add to prime this month? I see nothing new that is of any interest to me.
#16
DVD Talk God
Re: Amazon Video Add-On Subscriptions
I can understand Showtime but IMO, everything else listed should be regular no-additional-cost prime. If this is the route they are going I don't see much of a reason to keep prime. What are they going to add to prime this month? I see nothing new that is of any interest to me.
The $99 yearly fee is mainly for the shipping. The original shows/extra shows are just extras added as a courtesy.
This new content being introduced costs extra and can't just be given away for peanuts.
#17
DVD Talk Godfather
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Home of 2013 NFL champion Seahawks
Posts: 52,611
Received 1,015 Likes
on
839 Posts
Re: Amazon Video Add-On Subscriptions
I can understand Showtime but IMO, everything else listed should be regular no-additional-cost prime. If this is the route they are going I don't see much of a reason to keep prime. What are they going to add to prime this month? I see nothing new that is of any interest to me.
This is a different model. Prime and Netflix streaming deal in catalog content. I can see the point with a channel like Acorn that I presume deals in catalog content, but Showtime and Starz are offering current content like HBO Now is. That can't be rolled into subscription streaming.
Given the current trend of binge watching, these kinds of services make it easy to subscribe for a month, watch a year's worth of stuff, then cancel till next year. I only subscribe to HBO Now while GOT is on.
#18
DVD Talk Gold Edition
Re: Amazon Video Add-On Subscriptions
Please, don't make me laugh. Sure, cable and satellite want you to believe that Starz, FX, AMC and others are premium channels, and they certainly charge premium prices, but the truth is they never have more than one, maybe two, shows that appeal to me at all so the premium label (and cost) just isn't justified. At least, not for me.
Is that a fact? I seem to recall them "giving away" the FX shows "Justified" and "The Americans" (among others) to prime subscribers to view at absolutely no cost... not even peanuts.
If it is indeed only about shipping, I don't ship enough to make the $99 annual cost a worthwhile investment.
The $99 yearly fee is mainly for the shipping. The original shows/extra shows are just extras added as a courtesy.
This new content being introduced costs extra and can't just be given away for peanuts.
This new content being introduced costs extra and can't just be given away for peanuts.
If it is indeed only about shipping, I don't ship enough to make the $99 annual cost a worthwhile investment.
#19
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Bay Area, California
Posts: 8,939
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: Amazon Video Add-On Subscriptions
Please, don't make me laugh. Sure, cable and satellite want you to believe that Starz, FX, AMC and others are premium channels, and they certainly charge premium prices, but the truth is they never have more than one, maybe two, shows that appeal to me at all so the premium label (and cost) just isn't justified. At least, not for me.
Is that a fact? I seem to recall them "giving away" the FX shows "Justified" and "The Americans" (among others) to prime subscribers to view at absolutely no cost... not even peanuts.
If it is indeed only about shipping, I don't ship enough to make the $99 annual cost a worthwhile investment.
Is that a fact? I seem to recall them "giving away" the FX shows "Justified" and "The Americans" (among others) to prime subscribers to view at absolutely no cost... not even peanuts.
If it is indeed only about shipping, I don't ship enough to make the $99 annual cost a worthwhile investment.
#20
DVD Talk God
Re: Amazon Video Add-On Subscriptions
Please, don't make me laugh. Sure, cable and satellite want you to believe that Starz, FX, AMC and others are premium channels, and they certainly charge premium prices, but the truth is they never have more than one, maybe two, shows that appeal to me at all so the premium label (and cost) just isn't justified. At least, not for me.
Is that a fact? I seem to recall them "giving away" the FX shows "Justified" and "The Americans" (among others) to prime subscribers to view at absolutely no cost... not even peanuts.
If it is indeed only about shipping, I don't ship enough to make the $99 annual cost a worthwhile investment.
Is that a fact? I seem to recall them "giving away" the FX shows "Justified" and "The Americans" (among others) to prime subscribers to view at absolutely no cost... not even peanuts.
If it is indeed only about shipping, I don't ship enough to make the $99 annual cost a worthwhile investment.
FX, TNT and AMC are advertiser supported basic cable channels, not premium channels. They all have commercials on TV and movies are edited for time and content.
Starz is basically the same as HBO, they run uncut commercial free movies shortly after they are released on BD and some original shows. Outlander, which is on Starz, is one of their original shows. It's R rated content with graphic nudity, violence and sex that TNT or AMC can't show.
Regarding Amazon Prime, the original point of the service was the 2-day shipping. Shows like Bosch, Mozart in the Jungle, The Man in the High Castle along with other basic cable shows like Justified, Orphan Black etc. are all included as part of the service at no extra charge. It's supposed to be an extra incentive to subscribe to it. Sorry I wasn't clear about that. All this extra content that Amazon is offering (especially Showtime and Starz) don't have the same kind of deals as the others and thus costs more. Which is why they have the added on monthly fee to the yearly $99.
#22
Moderator
Thread Starter
#23
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Amazon Video Add-On Subscriptions
Starz might be a better pick than Showtime right now.
#24
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Bay Area, California
Posts: 8,939
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
#25
DVD Talk Limited Edition