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Streaming platforms are all the rage these days. Millions of people rely on such services to watch their favorite shows and see new movies when they drop. Platforms like Netflix, AppleTV+, and others have even started launching original movies and shows that are exclusive to their own sites. Despite the popularity of streaming, much of its customer base isn't too thrilled with price increases that have taken place lately. Netflix, for instance, raised monthly dues for its Basic Plan to $11.99 just last year. Disney followed suit, as the cost for its Hulu tier jumped from $12.99 to $14.99. These platforms have justified fee hikes by citing a higher quality of available shows and movies. Still, many consumers feel streaming platforms are getting greedy. Some even cancelled their subscriptions altogether. Earlier this week, Amazon Prime Video joined its competitors in moving up the costs to access its streaming service.

What to know about streaming on Amazon Prime Video

Prime Video subscribers in America, Canada, Britain, and Germany will now have ads running on the content they watch, if they decline to fork over an extra $2.99 per month. As 2024 continues, Australia, Mexico, and multiple EU countries will see the same changes put into effect. For what it's worth, Amazon claims to have worked on increasing Prime Video's appeal, as seen by users' access to sports channels, movies, television series, and more. The extra $2.99 fee or introduction of ads, according to Amazon, is necessary for Prime Video to sustain "compelling content." The company even claims that any running ads remain sparse compared to its competitors and cable television.

Another underlying factor?

Throughout the tech industry, many corporations are coming up with creative ways to limit their overhead costs. The persistence of inflation is a major element that's led to companies laying off workers and then passing down added expenditures to customers. All things considered, Americans shouldn't hold their breath waiting for streaming services to reduce their prices. In fact, platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, Peacock, etc., may very well come out with additional subscription tiers that offer more amenities in exchange for higher fees.