Amazon to Introduce Ads and Optional Ad-Free Add-On for Prime Video in India from June 17

Amazon has announced that it will begin showing advertisements on movies and shows streamed via Prime Video in India starting June 17, 2025. This move comes more than a year after the company implemented ads in other major markets such as the U.S., U.K., Germany, and Canada. Indian Prime members received an email notification about the introduction of ‘limited advertisements’ on the platform. To address concerns from users who prefer an uninterrupted viewing experience, Amazon is also launching an ad-free add-on for Prime Video at an introductory price of 699 Indian rupees (approximately $8) per year or 129 rupees (about $1.52) per month. This add-on is available to existing Prime members as an optional upgrade. The company did not disclose further specifics about the add-on. Amazon’s strategy mirrors its approach in the U.S., where a $3 monthly ad-free add-on reportedly helped secure over $1.8 billion in ad spending commitments. The number of U.S. viewers watching Prime Video with ads has grown to over 130 million, up from 115 million the previous year. In India, Amazon also operates MX Player, a streaming service acquired from Times Internet, which includes ads but offers a subscription to reduce their frequency. The standard Amazon Prime subscription in India ranges from 299 rupees (about $3.50) per month to 1,499 rupees (about $17.57) per year. This move aligns Amazon with competitors like Netflix and Disney+, both of which offer ad-supported plans in various markets.