TORONTO – Prime Video, Amazon’s streaming service, has set February 5, 2024, as the launch date for introducing commercials in Canada. The ad breaks will be incorporated into TV and film programming, featuring shows like “Reacher” and the “Mr. Dressup” documentary.
The ad-supported tier becomes the default for Prime membership, offering shipping discounts. However, subscribers can opt out of commercials by paying an additional $2.99 per month.
This move aligns with the industry trend of streaming services introducing ad-supported plans to increase revenue. Prime Video assures viewers of “meaningfully fewer ads than linear TV and other streaming TV providers.”
In the U.S., commercials on Prime Video will start on January 29, 2024, a week ahead of the Canadian launch.