Amazon Prime Video to Introduce Ads in India from June 2025, Pay More for Ad-Free Option

New Delhi. Amazon has announced that Prime Video will begin displaying limited advertisements during movies and TV shows in India starting June 17, 2025. The move, aimed at funding continued investment in high-quality content, follows a similar rollout in the United States and other markets in 2024. According to Amazon, the ad volume will be significantly lower than that of traditional TV channels and competing streaming platforms, ensuring a balanced viewing experience.

Change in Pricing

Ad-Free Add-On Available

Starting June 17, 2025, all Prime Video content in India, including movies, web series, and live sports, will include limited ads for standard Prime members. However, Amazon is introducing an optional ad-free plan priced at Rs 699 per year or Rs 129 per month, available from the same date. This add-on will allow users to enjoy uninterrupted streaming in up to 4K resolution, where available. Importantly, the change will not impact the existing pricing of Prime memberships, and all other benefits, such as free shipping, Amazon Music, and access to exclusive deals, will remain unchanged.

Cancellation and Refund Option

Users who prefer not to continue with the ad-supported model can cancel their membership and request a pro-rated refund through their Amazon account settings. This flexibility reflects Amazon’s commitment to addressing diverse user preferences in India’s competitive streaming market.

Prime Membership Tiers in India

Three-Tier Structure

Amazon currently offers three Prime membership tiers in India, catering to different user needs:

• Prime Shopping Edition (Rs 399/year): Focuses on shopping benefits like free shipping, with no access to Prime Video.

• Prime Lite (Rs 799/year): Includes Prime Video with ads at 720p resolution, alongside select shopping benefits.

• Standard Prime (Rs 1,499/year): Offers full access to Prime Video (with ads from June 2025), Amazon Music, and comprehensive shopping perks, with streaming quality up to 4K.

Comparing Streaming Platform Costs

How Prime Video Stacks Up

With the introduction of ads, users seeking an ad-free Prime Video experience with 4K quality will need to spend up to Rs 2,798 per year (standard Prime at Rs 1,499 + ad-free add-on at Rs 699 + taxes). This positions Prime Video as a competitive option in India’s streaming market.

JioCinema Premium (Hotstar) offers ad-free 4K streaming at a slightly lower annual cost, but with a different content focus, including IPL cricket and HBO originals. Netflix charges Rs 649 per month (Rs 7,788/year) for its 4K ad-free plan, making it significantly more expensive than Prime Video’s ad-free offering. Disney+ Hotstar and others often bundle ads in lower-tier plans, with premium ad-free options priced closer to Prime Video’s standard plan.