Amazon has quickly become the go-to site for pretty much everything; including streaming. The e-commerce conglomerate owned by Jeff Bezos has hopped on the streaming service bandwagon and now offers access to a multitude of movies and television shows as well as original content, like The Boys.
If you’re thinking of getting an Amazon Prime Video subscription, here’s everything you need to know.
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In this Prime Video Australia story…
What Is Amazon Prime Video?
Amazon Prime Video – often referred to simply as Prime Video – is a video streaming service that is extremely similar to other services including Netflix Australia and Stan. Essentially, you pay a subscription cost and in return get access to popular movies, TV shows and Prime Originals – films and TV shows that are exclusive to and were made solely for the platform – that you can stream via the internet and watch on a compatible device.
Prime Video has been around since 2006, although back then, it was only available in a limited number of countries and only as part of a full Amazon Prime subscription. It wasn’t until Amazon secured the right to The Grand Tour, the motoring show hosted by former British Top Gear presenters, Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond in 2016, that Prime Video expanded globally to some 200 countries, including Australia.
Since acquiring The Grand Tour, Amazon has pumped more and more money into original content, some of which has gone on to win awards, including the Oscar-winning Manchester By The Sea.
Amazon also made the decision to separate Prime Video from a full Prime membership in select countries, meaning customers can enjoy Prime Video for a low monthly fee, instead of paying much more in return for the complete suite of Prime benefits, including next-day delivery.
Amazon Prime Video Cost
- $6.99/month including full Prime benefits
- 30-day free trial available
Amazon Prime Video is actually the cheapest major streaming platform in Australia and represents incredibly good value. Prime Video costs just $6.99 a month in Australia (or $54 for an annual subscription) and this price actually grants you access to all Amazon Prime benefits: free two-day shipping on eligible Amazon domestic items, and free shipping on items shipped from overseas when you spend $49 or more, free games, Amazon Music and Amazon Reading.
This price also includes free access to ultra high definition content (where applicable); something that other platforms, such as Netflix, make you pay extra for. Plus, Amazon Prime Video offers a 30-day trial so you can test out the full benefits of the platform before you commit to a subscription.
What devices can I use to watch Amazon Prime Video?
Amazon Prime Video Australia is available on a wide range of devices, much like the other big streaming services. Put simply, if you’ve got a device that can connect to the internet, then there’s a good chance you can stream Prime Video. Compatible devices include:
- Smart TVs
- Smartphones
- Gaming Consoles
- Tablets
- PCs & Macs
- Amazon Devices (Fire TV, Fire TV Stick, Fire tablet, Echo Devices with a screen)
- Select Blu-Ray Players
- Media Players and Set-Top Boxes
What can I watch on Prime Video Australia?
It must be said that the library of available content to watch on Prime Video is smaller than what you’ll find on services such as Netflix, but when you consider you’re paying much less each month, this is to be expected. That’s not to say there’s nothing worth watching on Prime Video, because there are indeed some true gems and you’ll still be able to find some of the best movies and TV shows ever made available on the platform.
Noteworthy content includes:
- Jack Ryan
- The Marvellous Ms. Maisel
- Mozart in the Jungle
- Good Omens
- The Grand Tour
- The Man in the High Castle
Additionally, Prime Video does often secure rights to recently released movies, which are made available to rent or buy. So, while you can’t watch them for free, Prime Video is definitely a streaming service to check out if you want to watch the latest Hollywood blockbusters before anyone else.
To get a better idea of what content is available to watch on Prime Video, be sure to check out our guides to the best Prime Video TV shows and best Prime Video movies.