Some of us are old enough to remember when Amazon was just an online bookstore before online shopping became the norm. You can still find books on Amazon, but the company has expanded far and wide, offering services like Amazon Prime, which includes shipping benefits and, most importantly, to streamers, access to Prime Video.
It’s true – today’s Amazon is much different than the Amazon of yesteryear, but now that Prime Video is the exclusive streaming home to favorite events and series like “Thursday Night Football” and new series like “Fallout” and “The Boys,” we don’t have to get hooked by a page-turner for Amazon to snag our cash.
NFL fans will want to take special notice—Prime Video is the only place they can find “Thursday Night Football.” Prime Video also broadcasts the WNBA, MLB, NWSL, mountain biking, road cycling, grand tour racing, and professional MMA events.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| “Thursday Night Football,” WNBA games, and more | Limited selection of high-quality live TV options |
| Excellent original content like “Fallout” and “Rings of Power” | Some content is only available to rent or purchase and isn’t included in your Prime Video plan |
| Supports HDR and 4K streaming | |
| Included in Amazon Prime membership (but also available independently of it) |
Prime Video subscription options
There are a few different subscription options for Prime Video. Prime Video is included in an Amazon Prime subscription, which you can pay for monthly or yearly, and comes with a student discount for those who qualify. If you just want Prime Video, there is a slightly lower-cost monthly plan available, as well.
Prime Video with Amazon Prime membership
Already an Amazon Prime member? Good news: You have Prime Video already. Access to Prime Video is just one benefit of a Prime membership, along with two-day shipping, Amazon Music, Prime Gaming, and more. If you’re not an Amazon Prime member, you can try Prime Video free for 30 days – one of the longer free trials available.
Prime Video content
Prime Video offerings can be categorized into two separate camps: live channels and on-demand offerings. If you’re looking for live TV channels, Prime Video might leave you wanting – you won’t find many big-name national networks included. You’ll get a smattering of live news feeds, some live sports events like “Thursday Night Football,” and a handful of entertainment Freevee (Amazon’s free TV service) networks that feature 24-hour loops of some of your favorite classic shows like “Little House on the Prairie” alongside lesser-known (but still fun) channels like Vice News. On the off-chance you miss a big sports event, like a big “Thursday Night Football” game, Prime Video has an included, automatic DVR for specific livestreams.
The on-demand offerings set Prime Video apart from its competition. In recent years, Prime Original series like “Rings of Power,” “The Boys,” and “Invincible” have taken audiences by storm, but those are just a fraction of what Prime Video has in store for subscribers. Tons of movies and series, from “Top Gun” to “Battlestar Galactica” are available to stream and download for on-the-go audiences.
You’ll also have the option to add premium content to your subscription with Prime Video Channels. Just head to the Prime Video store to sign up for channels like Max, Paramount Plus, and AMC Plus. Each of these channels has an additional monthly fee (typically the same you would pay to sign up for these subscriptions directly through the service) but by signing up through Prime Video Channels, you’ll be able to watch via the Prime Video app.
Prime Video user profiles
You can set up different user profiles for any of the different people who have access to your Prime Video account. If you’re worried about keeping young kids out of the content you don’t want them to see, you can set content restrictions for Prime Video users. Users will have to input a PIN to stream, purchase, or rent-restricted content, keeping the wee-ones from stumbling upon the more gruesome aspects of “The Boys.”
How does Prime Video compare?
While Prime Video might not offer a complete library of live TV networks, it does come with a streaming library that rivals competitors. In addition, its selection of original content is starting to turn a lot of heads, with recent favorites like “Rings of Power” and “Fallout” leading the charge and adaptations of videogames like “Disco Elysium” and “God of War” in the tubes.
Even though Amazon’s streaming library is massive, some users accuse it of being full of “filler” content, alleging that options like Hulu or Netflix have a larger selection of higher-quality options. It’s hard to quantify the ratio of “wheat” to “chaff,” especially when it’s a matter of taste, but I can see how one might come to a similar conclusion. Still – every platform has content that some users aren’t excited about, and Prime Video offers plenty to get excited about.
| Streaming Service | Monthly Cost | Free Trial | DVR | Simultaneous Streams |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prime Video | $8.99 | Yes | Select events only | 3 |
| Disney Plus | $9.99 | No | No | 4 |
| Paramount Plus | $7.99 | Yes | No | 3 |
| Max | $9.99 | No | No | 2 |
| Netflix | $6.99 | No | No | 2 |
| Hulu | $9.99 | Yes | No | 2 |
How to subscribe to Prime Video
To sign up for Prime Video, navigate to their sign-up page. From there, either sign in to your existing Amazon Prime account or create an account to begin your 30-day free trial of Prime Video.
How to cancel a Prime Video subscription
If you decide Prime Video isn’t for you, you can cancel your subscription at any time. Navigate to your “Prime Membership” page. Select “Update, cancel, and more” and follow the instructions that follow to cancel your membership.
FAQ
Is Prime Video better than Netflix?
In certain specific ways, Prime Video is better than Netflix. If you’re a huge “Lord of the Rings” or “Fallout” fan, Prime Video is the only place to stream their “Rings of Power” or Fallout” series. And there isn’t a single Netflix plan that includes free shipping.
Is Prime Video free with Amazon Prime?
Yes, Prime Video is included with your Amazon Prime membership.
Is Amazon Prime Video $5.99 a month?
The lowest-cost Prime Video plan starts at $8.99 per month. A small discount is available to students, but a big enough one to knock the price down to $5.99 per month.
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