Amazon’s shady Prime Video practices ar...

By now, just about each streaming service (with the notable exception of Apple TV+) has some type of ad-supported choice. Nevertheless, customers must opt-in to those subscriptions, and streamers like Netflix, Max, Disney+ and extra have been in a position to efficiently lure subscribers to those money-making tiers with decrease subscription costs. Nevertheless, again in 2023, Amazon Prime Video tried one thing fully completely different when it got here to shifting customers to an ad-supported tier. As a substitute of introducing a less expensive tier with adverts, they mechanically moved each single subscriber to their ad-based tier, and introduced that those that did not need to see adverts must begin paying $3 extra for the privilege within the new 12 months.

As you would possibly count on, response to this was overwhelmingly destructive, with indignant subscribers threatening on-line to cancel the service over the change. And whereas some customers might certainly have unsubscribed to Amazon Prime Video as a result of this transformation, it seems to be just like the overwhelming majority of those that stayed are simply fantastic with watching adverts, as new knowledge from Digital I means that the service now has practically 90% of customers on its ad-supported tier, greater than Netflix, Disney+ and Max mixed. And whereas there are some questions on how a lot customers of the bigger Prime service use the included Prime Video add-on, evidently, a minimum of in accordance with this knowledge, Amazon’s controversial transfer in 2023 has paid off.

It is in all probability too late for Netflix or any of the opposite streamers to do one thing related (and I can not think about Apple including adverts to their service on this method), but it surely simply goes to indicate that whereas there was loads of backlash to this transfer initially, it finally labored out very effectively as extra customers are watching adverts on Prime Video than anyplace else, which actually is making Amazon a ton of money.

Peacock provides video games and quick video clips to cell app

Nice choices for whenever you’re bored at work, I assume

Peacock

Seemingly taking a web page from Netflix, Peacock has launched a number of new options for its cell app which can be geared toward getting customers to do extra than simply stream content material. First up is a day by day video games hub that features puzzles, trivia, and themed “prediction” video games tied to particular reveals. The inclusion looks as if an effort to deliberately mirror the success of the New York Instances’ video games app, which has turn out to be one thing of a popular culture phenomenon.

And in the event you do not feel like booting up a streaming app to play video games, Peacock has additionally launched a brand new feed known as “Can’t-miss Clips” that features quick video segments from fashionable reveals in a TikTok-style scrollable feed.

These new options can be found now within the Peacock cell app for many who need to verify them out and do one thing aside from watch a present or film on a streaming app.

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The Google TV Streamer lastly will get a good low cost

The Chromecast substitute would possibly simply be value choosing up at this worth

Google TV Streamer

$80 $100 Save $20

The Google TV Streamer is a streaming gadget designed to help the newest video and audio applied sciences with AI integration and good dwelling management.

Dimensions

6.4 x 3 x 1-inch

Connective Know-how

Wi-Fi, Bluetooth

Model

Google

What’s Included

Distant

Bluetooth codecs

Bluetooth® 5.1

Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi 802.11ac (2.4 GHz / 5 GHz)

Develop

In his review of the Google TV Streamer, TV reporter Anthony Marcusa described it as “a formidable gadget designed to help those that try to make sense of lots of titles from lots of completely different companies.” and praised the gadget’s clear aesthetic and ease of use. Nevertheless, his important challenge with the gadget was its $100 worth level, which he did not suppose was justified, particularly contemplating how cheap the TV Streamer’s predecessor, the Google Chromecast was.

Nevertheless, it seems to be like good issues come to those that wait, because the Google TV Streamer is now on sale for $80, its lowest worth seen for the reason that gadget went on sale final 12 months. In the event you’ve been fascinated with snagging one in all these, it seems to be like the perfect time to take action is correct now so you may snag that candy, candy 20% financial savings.

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Pacific Rim collection is formally coming to Prime Video

Nice information for mecha and kaiju followers (so principally, me)

Lionsgate

Bringing it again to Prime Video for our remaining bit of stories this week, Variety experiences {that a} live-action Pacific Rim prequel collection is now in growth for the Amazon-owned streamer because of a deal struck between lead studio Legendary Tv and Amazon MGM Studios.

That is truly the second streaming vacation spot for the franchise as Netflix produced an animated spin-off collection known as Pacific Rim: The Black which ran for 2 seasons between 2021 and 2022 earlier than being canceled.

Hopefully the Amazon-produced present lasts just a little longer, as there are tie-in movies reportedly on provide as effectively if the collection does effectively.

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Variety