Amazon Prime Video: Annoyance among customers on the rise

With the introduction of an ad-financed version of Amazon Prime Video, the tech company may not have done itself any favors. After all, users of the streaming service are not only annoyed by the advertising. The poorer quality, which had not previously been openly communicated, also caused frustration.

Amazon Prime Video now also with advertising

The streaming service from Amazon has followed in the footsteps of its competitors Netflix and Disney. Prime Video now also offers access to its extensive library with advertising. The advantage for the user: you save a surcharge of 3 euros. However, the advertising seems to have been implemented by Amazon in such an annoying way that it is extremely disruptive to the enjoyment of series and films. Of course, the tech company cannot be blamed for this approach. After all, it is understandable that it embeds the advertising in such a way that customers might prefer to pay the extra charge in order to be able to stream ad-free.

But what is the reason for the almost exclusively negative customer reviews that the Prime Video app is currently receiving? It’s not just the advertising that Amazon embeds. The ad-financed version also offers poorer quality. Both the sound and picture quality are not at the same level as the ad-free subscription. This approach is quite common in the industry. Netflix’s ad-financed subscription also comes in reduced quality. The big difference, however, is that Netflix has demonstrated transparency and openly informed its customers about this. Amazon, on the other hand, simply kept the whole thing quiet.

A hail of criticism

It goes without saying that the streaming service’s behavior is unacceptable. That is why those responsible should not be surprised if there is now a real storm of criticism from customers. A number of former fans feel that they have been offended because the “advance warning” from Amazon was simply inadequate. The annoying advertising is the main target of criticism.

However, the features that have been removed without comment, such as modern HDR and audio standards and the popular Watch Party, are also causing a stir. The tech giant’s reaction is also really questionable. It is trying to keep the issue quiet without further ado. We will have to wait and see whether this tactic will work or whether the streaming service will finally make a statement.

Will it be expensive for Amazon?

Many customers are not prepared to put up with Amazon’s approach. In addition to the large number of negative reviews, they have therefore also called in consumer advocates. The reason for this is Amazon’s nebulous behavior when introducing the ad-financed subscription. Quite a few simply consider the company’s non-transparent policy to be illegal. The tech company may well have to take the issue to court. A look across the pond reveals that customers are not only angry in this country. After all, a class action lawsuit against the tech company is already underway in the USA.