Amazon’s shady Prime Video practices are pay...

By now, just about each streaming service (with the notable exception of Apple TV+) has some type of ad-supported possibility. Nonetheless, customers must opt-in to those subscriptions, and streamers like Netflix, Max, Disney+ and extra have been in a position to efficiently lure subscribers to those money-making tiers with decrease subscription costs. Nonetheless, again in 2023, Amazon Prime Video tried one thing fully totally different when it got here to transferring customers to an ad-supported tier. As an alternative of introducing a less expensive tier with advertisements, they mechanically moved each single subscriber to their ad-based tier, and introduced that those that did not wish to see advertisements must begin paying $3 extra for the privilege within the new yr.

As you would possibly count on, response to this was overwhelmingly damaging, with indignant subscribers threatening on-line to cancel the service over the change. And whereas some customers might certainly have unsubscribed to Amazon Prime Video because of this transformation, it appears just like the overwhelming majority of those that stayed are simply positive with watching advertisements, as new information from Digital I means that the service now has almost 90% of customers on its ad-supported tier, greater than Netflix, Disney+ and Max mixed. And whereas there are some questions on how a lot customers of the bigger Prime service use the included Prime Video add-on, evidently, not less than based on this information, Amazon’s controversial transfer in 2023 has paid off.

It is most likely too late for Netflix or any of the opposite streamers to do one thing related (and I can not think about Apple including advertisements to their service on this means), nevertheless it simply goes to point out that whereas there was loads of backlash to this transfer initially, it in the end labored out very properly as extra customers are watching advertisements on Prime Video than anyplace else, which definitely is making Amazon a ton of money.

Peacock provides video games and quick video clips to cell app

Nice choices for whenever you’re bored at work, I suppose

Peacock

Seemingly taking a web page from Netflix, Peacock has launched a number of new options for its cell app which might be geared toward getting customers to do extra than simply stream content material. First up is a each day video games hub that features puzzles, trivia, and themed “prediction” video games tied to particular exhibits. The inclusion looks like an effort to deliberately mirror the success of the New York Instances’ video games app, which has turn out to be one thing of a popular culture phenomenon.

And for those who do not feel like booting up a streaming app to play video games, Peacock has additionally launched a brand new feed referred to as “Can’t-miss Clips” that features quick video segments from in style exhibits in a TikTok-style scrollable feed.

These new options can be found now within the Peacock cell app for many who wish to examine them out and do one thing apart from watch a present or film on a streaming app.

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The Google TV Streamer lastly will get a good low cost

The Chromecast alternative would possibly simply be price choosing up at this value

Google TV Streamer

$80 $100 Save $20

The Google TV Streamer is a streaming machine designed to help the most recent video and audio applied sciences with AI integration and good residence management.

Dimensions

6.4 x 3 x 1-inch

Connective Expertise

Wi-Fi, Bluetooth

Model

Google

What’s Included

Distant

Bluetooth codecs

Bluetooth® 5.1

Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi 802.11ac (2.4 GHz / 5 GHz)

Develop

In his review of the Google TV Streamer, TV reporter Anthony Marcusa described it as “a formidable machine designed to help those that are attempting to make sense of a variety of titles from a variety of totally different companies.” and praised the machine’s clear aesthetic and ease of use. Nonetheless, his fundamental difficulty with the machine was its $100 value level, which he did not suppose was justified, particularly contemplating how cheap the TV Streamer’s predecessor, the Google Chromecast was.

Nonetheless, it appears like good issues come to those that wait, because the Google TV Streamer is now on sale for $80, its lowest value seen for the reason that machine went on sale final yr. Should you’ve been excited about snagging certainly one of these, it appears like the perfect time to take action is true now so you possibly can snag that candy, candy 20% financial savings.

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Pacific Rim collection is formally coming to Prime Video

Nice information for mecha and kaiju followers (so mainly, me)

Lionsgate

Bringing it again to Prime Video for our last bit of stories this week, Variety studies {that a} live-action Pacific Rim prequel collection is now in growth for the Amazon-owned streamer because of a deal struck between lead studio Legendary Tv and Amazon MGM Studios.

That is truly the second streaming vacation spot for the franchise as Netflix produced an animated spin-off collection referred to as Pacific Rim: The Black which ran for 2 seasons between 2021 and 2022 earlier than being canceled.

Hopefully the Amazon-produced present lasts slightly longer, as there are tie-in movies reportedly on supply as properly if the collection does properly.

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