Amazon launched Prime Video, the e-commerce giant's video-on-demand service, in 19 countries across the globe on Dec. 14, Wednesday, pitting itself against Netflix Inc's video-streaming service, which was rolled out in 130 countries, about a year back.
Incidentally, both Amazon and Netflix are yet to launch their respective video-streaming services in China. Neither have they announced any plan to roll out their service in the Communist nation.
The content library of Amazon Prime Video includes a variety of Hollywood as well as other international movies and TV shows. Initially, subscribers of Prime Video will be required to pay $2.99 every month for six months, and later they will be charged $5.99 per month, Reuters reported.
Of late, the e-commerce giant has been making heavy investments, often without regard for profits, to create and market movies and TV shows. Amazon is optimistic that many people will subscribe for its Prime Video to watch popular shows like "Transparent," "The Grand Tour" and "The Man in the High Castle." The company hopes that a large subscription base will also result in more people purchasing products from its online stores.
Amazon Studios vice-president, Roy Price, has acknowledged that with the launch of Prime Video, his company has entered into direct competition with Netflix, Variety reported. However, Price said that Prime Videos will have a number of competitors in different countries where the service is available.
The selection of Amazon Prime Video will, however, not be as robust as Netflix. While Amazon plans to spend above $3 million on the content for Prime Video, Cowen & Co analyst John Blackledge estimates that Netflix will be as high as $6 million, the site reported.
Amazon Prime Video can be watched on a number of devices, including iPhones and iPads by downloading the Prime Video app. Subscribers can also avail the service by connecting their TVs and gaming consoles to the Internet or on PrimeVideo.com.
At launch, the content of Amazon Prime Video will only be available in a few languages. Apart from English, the video-streaming service will be offered in French, Spanish, Italian and Portuguese. Many titles will be subtitled as well as dubbed in these languages.
Watch a review of Amazon Prime Video below: