Amazon reportedly planning free video streaming service
 

Amazon may be preparing to switch up its streaming strategy in a big way. The Wall Street Journal reports that the company is planning a free, ad-supported streaming service that will offer both regular video content and music videos to all customers — not just those subscribed to Amazon Prime. The Journal says this service could stream Amazon's original programming (currently also exclusive to Prime customers) along with other licensed content.

That's to be expected, perhaps, but there are aspects of the rumored service that would mark new ground for Amazon. For example, the Journal claims Amazon may offer free music video streams to its online shoppers. Searching for Lady Gaga or Daft Punk would bring up their recent music videos, for example, turning Amazon into something of a Vevo / YouTube competitor.

A free streaming service could help disrupt a market that's still largely dominated by Netflix and Hulu. Amazon's own instant video service has fared well with consumers, but the company is still playing catchup with regards to original programming. The online retailer recently hiked the subscription cost of Amazon Prime to $99 per year, which many took as a sign that additional membership benefits (i.e. a streaming music service) could be on the way. Presumably some content would remain exclusive to paying customers, but it seems Amazon may also choose to go for broke and upend the streaming category with a free service. The Journal says it could launch "in the coming months" but also cautions — as usual — that Amazon could scrap the project entirely before then. With Amazon holding a press event in New York next week, we may soon hear more about this service alongside whatever streaming device the company plans to unveil.

http://www.theverge.com/2014/3/27/55...eaming-service

I just wish they would offer a way to control the quality of the stream like Netflix so you can keep bandwidth use down.

I love amazon.

I dont love that they upped the price of prime so they could do stuff like this.

We saved over $1000 on shipping last year. Raise it to $150 a year, don't care.

Still WAY worth it.

It's coming.

Wow, that is a bold move. I've never watched any of their original programming, but I've heard a couple shows are good. Are there other offerings similar to Netflix streaming?
Posted via Mobile Device

Once we got into Amazon's catalog, we cancelled Netflix. I imagine they're similar but for what we watch, Amazon seemed to have a lot more stuff.

Amazon also has a pay-per-view "rental" service which means you can get new releases and stuff that you can't get on Netflix, although it does cost extra.

@Variety: UPDATE: @Amazon Says It Has No Plans to Offer a Free TV and Music-Video Streaming Service http://on.variety.com/1rGWKav

awesome. That is the main reason I avoid Amazon streaming right now.

I'd be interested as to why. We've never had any real problem with it.

Mine paid for itself as well.

Im just cheap

because I don't want to stream in HD. I watch netflix on Low and am very happy with it. If I want HD I'll go rent a bluray. I can watch five times the content on low then I can on HD.

Your free to rent at Redbox if you're concerned about bandwidth
Posted via Mobile Device

Do you have a metered service or something?

I didn't notice prime went up. I should pay more attention to my bills.

I love streaming tv and movies. I just prefer it not be in HD when streaming. Why is this so hard for people to understand JFC

I'm limited to 250gb per month. If it wasn't for our leak, I would be less concerned but HD streaming content eats through bandwidth like a ****ing beast. I prefer lower quality streams to maximize my bandwidth.

I just got hulu plus, it's pretty good. The commercials suck and are repetitive but the shows are up there a day after they air.
I usually just use amazon for old hbo shows and the Walking Dead. I use netflix rarely anymore.
All three were competitively priced but amazon just lost a subscriber once I'm due next month due to their hike.

You should set your family up to leach off your neighbors wifi then you can have all the bandwidth to yourself. Solves your problem. :D

Unfortunately I have smart neighbors that understand how to set up wireless networks. :D

Yes, I have flirted around with local networks just to see if they were secure or not. I wouldn't leach off them though. I just like to see how many stupid people are out there.

It will be interesting to watch TV limp on to a slow death.

Yeah, that makes total sense. We have unlimited 30Mbit ethernet, so for us we stream everything in HD. There's no reason not to.

Until the streaming companies get better at creating original content, "TV" will be alive.

I hate you for being right, but this is true