Amazon Prime has much more to offer than just free two day shipping. With a huge content library and exclusive content, Amazon Prime Video is a platform that cord cutters shouldn’t overlook. Below, we’re looking at Prime Video and other Prime features that make a subscription worth it for cord cutters.
Amazon’s Content Library
The most important feature of Amazon Prime for cord cutters is obviously the Prime Video content library. With tens of thousand of movies and TV series episodes available and the collection being updated frequently, there’s always something new to watch.
With Prime Video, you can catch up on entire past seasons of TV shows. When you’re caught up, you can buy current episodes, typically for $1.99 per episode.
The Prime Video library is divided into sections to make it easier to find exactly what you’re looking for. Look for sections like Recently Added TV, Popular Movies, and Box Office Hits. You’ll also get recommendations based on shows and movies you’ve already watched and sections for genres like Horror & Thriller Movies and Kids & Family TV. Content included with your Prime membership is clearly marked.
Following in the footsteps of Netflix and Hulu, Amazon has a collection of Prime Originals. Look for original series like The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Transparent, The Man in the High Castle, and Mozart in the Jungle.
In addition to the library of free streaming content, you also have the option to buy or rent titles that aren’t available through Prime. Your purchases will show up under Digital Orders. Rentals are typically available for 30 days after purchasing, and can be viewed for 24 hours after you start watching, making it easy to start, pause, and come back to finish watching later. Movies you purchase will stay in your Video Library.
Add On Channels
A major benefit to using Amazon Prime for content streaming is the ability to keep all of your additional channels organized on one platform. After a free trial, you can add extra channels for an additional monthly fee, then stream the content from your Prime account.
The list of available Amazon Channels add-on channels is extensive. You’ll find all of the usual premium channels, including Starz, HBO, Showtime, and Cinemax. You can also take your pick of a wide variety of specialty channels. Acorn TV has some favorite British TV series and movies, Shudder is full of horror movies, and PBS Kids and Boomerang have the kids covered. Check the full list of add-on options to customize your content.
Plans & Pricing
You can use Amazon Prime Video with any Amazon Prime subscription, and there are several to choose from.
A normal Prime account costs $119/year. With your membership, you’ll get access to Amazon Prime Video, along with all of the other Prime features.
Prime Student, with a .edu email address, costs $59/year after a 6 month free trial.
Amazon Family is a membership for your entire family for $119/year. The membership includes Amazon Free Time Unlimited for kid friendly content, in addition to access to the entire Amazon Video library for grown ups.
Compatible Devices
With your Prime subscription, you can stream Prime Video content on the following devices:
- Mac and PC web browsers
- Amazon Fire TV
- Fire TV Stick
- Fire Phones
- Fire Tablets
- Kindle
- iOS Devices
- Android Devices
- Playstation 3 & 4
- Xbox 360 & Xbox One
- Nintendo Wii & Nintendo Wii U
- Smart TVs
- Nvidia Shield
- Roku
- TiVo
- Apple TV
Extra Prime Benefits
While Prime Video alone is an incredible service, there’s a long list of other Prime benefits that cord cutters can benefit from as well.
Keep an eye out for great deals on equipment for your cord cutting setup. Between Deals of the Day, Lightning Deals, and Prime Day, you can find everything from streaming devices to smart TVs to speakers. Because Amazon is a huge retailer, there are always plenty of reviews to detail the pros and cons of a product before you make a purchase.
With your Prime membership, your entertainment options go beyond video.
- Prime Reading has over a thousand titles that Prime subscribers can read for free on a Kindle, web browser, or mobile device. Choose from books, magazines, and comic books.
- Amazon Music has over 2 million songs, pre-made playlists, and personalized stations based on your favorite artists.
- Prime members have access to the Audible app for free. Use the app to download exclusive Prime content, or buy audio books to listen to on your mobile device.
- Twitch Prime might be a favorite for gamers with a Prime account. The video game streaming service was purchased by Amazon, and now Prime subscribers have access to exclusive content and in-game extras.
If you’re a frequent Amazon shopper, don’t forget about the Amazon Visa card. You’ll earn money back on all of your purchases, to use for buying more of your favorite content.
Do you use Amazon Prime for streaming content? How do you think it stands up to other major cord cutting services? Let us know in the comments!
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