As of: February 7, 2024, 4:44 p.m
By: Julia Hanigk
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Starting in February, the streaming giant Amazon Prime will start showing advertising as part of its standard subscription.
Consumer advocates are angry.
Kassel – From February, some changes for consumers will come into force at various streaming providers.
Netflix is switching off its service on some old devices, Spotify is increasing the subscription price and Amazon Prime is playing advertising.
The Prime change does not require customers to accept new terms.
If you don't respond, your subscription will be changed automatically.
Amazon Prime now plays commercials as part of the standard subscription
In plain language this means: Anyone who currently receives the standard subscription for 8.99 euros per month will now receive advertising.
Before the selected film or series starts,
automatically play two commercials between 20 and 40 seconds.
But that's not all, because the clips can also appear again in the middle of a similar length.
According to the
Wall Street Journal,
advertising time totals about three minutes per hour.
Amazon's goal is "to show significantly less advertising than traditional television channels and other video streaming providers"
If you want to avoid the annoying interruptions, you have to pay extra and change your subscription.
The ad-free option costs an additional 2.99 euros, i.e. 11.98 euros.
According to Amazon, the additional income will then be invested in even more exclusive content.
Consumer advice centers see “disregard for consumer law” in Amazon Prime advertising
The
Federal Association of Consumer Organizations
is skeptical as to whether this change may violate the general terms and conditions.
For them, the advertising clips are a “significant contractual change” for which the customers’ consent would actually have been necessary.
Association boss Ramona Pop told the
Bild newspaper:
“Amazon cannot simply present its Prime Video customers with a fait accompli.
This is a disregard for consumer law.”
From February, ad-free Amazon Prime will cost extra.
© Rafael Henrique/SOPA Images/IMAGO
If you don't want to pay extra or accept advertising, you still have the option to cancel.
Anything paid in advance will then be refunded.
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“Compliance with applicable law”: Amazon defends advertising changes
In response to a query from
Bild
, Amazon explained: “We informed customers about this update to Prime Video transparently, in advance and in accordance with applicable law.”
Prime is also not the only streaming provider that now displays advertising.
The two big competitors Disney+ and Netflix are also testing advertising clips between the content.
It's not just streaming services that have seen fundamental changes since February.
Consumers also have to adapt in other areas.
There is now a new obligation to state the origin of meat and certain generations can apply for pensions for those who have been insured for a long time for the first time.
(jh)