As Apple and Amazon compete in the world of headphones, smart speakers, and streaming set-top boxes, the two tech giants are teaming up to offer the best streaming services. Later in October 2024, Apple TV Plus will be available through Prime Video as an additional subscription for $9.99 per month (USD).
It's the same price as an Apple TV Plus subscription, but the addition to Prime Video is important. Amazon's streaming service and app already host a lot of its own content, but the big draw (and the company's hope) is that it's the one-stop shop for all your streaming needs. You can already add subscriptions to Showtime, Max or Paramount Plus, among others, so Apple TV Plus is a welcome addition.
Prime Video already has subscription add-ons for over 100 streaming services, so from a billing perspective, everything happens in one place and in one app. Which means if you're setting up a new TV or traveling, you don't need to worry about downloading multiple apps. The big draw is that everything is hosted on Prime Video, allowing you to have one destination to find the content you want and start streaming quickly… regardless of who hosts it.
In the accompanying statement, Apple Senior Vice President of Services Eddy Cue says, “We want to make Apple TV Plus and its award-winning library of shows and movies from the world's best storytellers available to as many viewers as possible.” Considering Prime Video and Apple TV Plus are available over a large area, this seems more of a matter of convenience. For people already in the Amazon ecosystem, it might be easier to get subscribers to stream Ted Lasso, Contractioneither The morning program – If you're new to Apple TV Plus, check out our seven best picks to get started on Apple TV Plus here.
Mike Hopkins, senior vice president and head of Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios, said in a statement: “As we continue to expand our offering and make it easier for customers to personalize their streaming experience right in an app, we are proud to give you the Welcome to Apple. TV Plus and its popular and critically acclaimed shows, movies and events to Prime Video.” He also called Prime Video “a premier entertainment destination offering a wide selection of premium programming,” both from Amazon's own studios and streaming live events such as Thursday night footballand from partners like Apple TV Plus, and that makes us think about the future.
Could Prime Video be preparing a package or a super package?
We've seen countless packages emerge in the world of streaming services: the Disney mega package gives you Disney Plus, ESPN, and Hulu, while Comcast's StreamSaver offers Netflix, Apple TV Plus, and Peacock, but it's only available to select people. You can even get Disney Plus and Max together. Suffice it to say, it's a messy space.
But with Apple TV Plus joining Prime Video as an add-on and Amazon clearly aiming to bring all streaming services together in one place, redesigning the app to focus on letting you find the content you want when you want it while also reducing storage on buffer and As you continue to harness the power of your infrastructure and backbone (a nod to AWS), we have to ask ourselves if there is a package, a set of packages, or even a super package on the horizon.
Prime Video could offer a plan at potentially any price, perhaps $15, $25, or $30 per month, giving you access to the largest Apple TV Plus libraries, as well as Max, Paramount Plus, Discovery Plus, Showtime, and Stars. It may not be that earth-shattering, but imagine bundling 'Channels' (Amazon's name for its complementary streaming services) for one attractive price, all available in a single app that's on all the major platforms. Pretty sweet.
There's no guarantee that'll be the case, but Amazon's Prime Video is still one to watch as it brings more channels to the table in a move that appears aimed at increasing convenience and reducing confusion. Either way, it's good to see Apple TV Plus join Prime Video and it should let you watch Ted Lasso, catch a Thursday night soccer game, see Messi on the MLS Season Pass, and then maybe try the musical show Schmigadoon!
