Amazon takes on Netflix with pay plan

Amazon offers exclusive series such as Transparent

Amazon has introduced a monthly payment plan for its SVoD service, putting it in direct competition with Netflix in the US.

Access to Amazon’s library of acquired programming and exclusive originals such as Transparent was previously only possible with a Prime subscription, costing US$99 for a year.

As well as unlimited video streaming, this also included benefits such as free two-day shipping from Amazon and unlimited music streaming.

However, on Sunday the e-commerce giant began offering Prime Video as a standalone subscription for US$8.99 per month after a 30-day free trial. Customers are able to cancel at any time. Amazon has also introduced a new US$10.99 per month payment plan for Prime.

This puts it directly up against Netflix’s subscription offer, which ranges from US$7.99 to US$11.99 per month in the US, depending on the package.

While Amazon’s SVoD service is also available in the UK, Germany and Japan, it has so far only made its latest subscription offer available in the US.

The company is gearing up to launch its motoring show from former Top Gear presenters Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May this autumn. Netflix will air the BBC’s revamped Top Gear in direct competition with Amazon’s as-yet-untitled programme.

The motoring series will join other exclusive series on Amazon such as Mozart In the Jungle, Transparent and kids’ show Tumble Leaf.