Amazon Prime Video with advertising breaks and loss of quality: The hidden changes in the subscription offer.

Amazon Prime Video with advertising breaks and loss of quality: The hidden changes in the subscription offer.

According to a report by www.tagesspiegel.de, Amazon Prime Video customers have had to put up with advertising breaks since the beginning of February unless they are willing to pay an additional 2.99 euros per month. But advertising is not the only restriction that users experience. Amazon has now also reduced the picture and sound quality. The standard Dolby Vision (HDR) format and the 3D sound for the original English dubbing in Dolby Atmos format are no longer included in the 8.99 euro advertising subscription. Instead, customers need the €2.99 more expensive subscription for these quality features. These changes could have a significant impact on the market and consumers.

Quality throttling could be a strategy to encourage customers to pay higher subscription fees. This could increase Amazon Prime Video's market share as customers are forced to switch to the more expensive subscription to get the picture and sound quality they want. The reduction in quality in the standard subscription could also lead to an increase in subscribers in higher-priced subscription models, which could ultimately lead to increased revenue for Amazon.

The announced lawsuits against Amazon, such as those from the Federal Association of Consumer Organizations, show that Amazon's measures are not without resistance. The planning of a class action lawsuit by the Saxony Consumer Center also shows that Amazon's restrictive measures are met with dissatisfaction. These reactions could have a negative impact on Amazon's image and potentially cause a loss of trust among customers.

The announced price increases by other competitors such as Netflix and Disney+ could increase pressure on the entire streaming market and trigger further price increases in the industry. Customers may feel forced to pay higher costs for their streaming services. This could lead to increased competition and an increased search for alternatives.

Overall, the developments show that the streaming market is on the move and changing rapidly. Streaming providers are trying to establish a profitable business model by increasing prices and restricting services. This could also lead to streaming services being offered bundled in packages more often in the future in order to offer customers attractive conditions.