Seeking to go combat streaming sites like Netflix more directly, Amazon has launched its own standalone streaming service.
Amazon began offering the service, which it’s calling Prime Video, on Sunday, and it will cost subscribers $8.99 a month, according to the Wall Street Journal. That’s $1 more than the cheapest Netflix option but $1 cheaper than Netflix’s standard option.
While Hulu is also producing original shows and channels like HBO and Showtime have their own streaming services without a cable subscription, Netflix has become a force of nature in the streaming landscape. The site is releasing more original content each month, including critically acclaimed and award-winning shows like House of Cards, Orange Is the New Black, and Master of None.
Amazon, which is already becoming a critical darling in its own right thanks to shows like Transparent and Mozart in the Jungle, wants to take on Netflix on its home turf.
Streaming video and access to all of Amazon’s original programming is already available through Amazon Prime, which also offers other perks like free two-day shipping, streaming music, and photo storage. That service costs $99 a year, but for the first time Amazon will also offer a monthly Amazon Prime option that will cost subscribers $10.99 a month. Both Prime Video and the monthly Prime options will allow you to cancel at anytime.
It will ultimately cost potential Prime Video and Amazon Prime customers more money per year if they decide to stick with the monthly plans ($107.88 and $131.88 per year before taxes), so, for the cheapest yearly option, the Prime subscription is still ideal. But for potential customers who want to use the services during certain times of the year—such as holidays—without dropping $99 right off the bat, or for people who may not be able to spend $99 all at once, the perks of Amazon Prime and Prime Video may now be a viable option.
H/T Mashable