I think Amazon Prime is the worst streaming service

I agree, OP. I never use it. I end up torrenting everything.

It’s all about licensing of course. Amazon has their catalog of free content, just like most other services. But they also choose to carry newer titles and titles that can’t be distributed via streaming licenses (because of high popularity). You can only really get new movies on AppleTV or Amazon.

Also it’s safe to assume that Amazon has ANY movie that I might want to see, whether it’s free thru Prime or a rental. That’s like a 45% chance on Netflix and like 30% on Hulu.

Isn't it really just an add-on to the Prime delivery service?

I agree with r2. They have a HUGE selection.

agree and you can't cast.

I have no problems casting either thru Chromecast or Airplay. Prime Video isn’t my go to service, but when I go there I find something to watch.

OP obviously just finished watching "Being The Ricardos".

Its almost as bad them charging shipping fees for returns. So greedy.

I also tire of them offering me Prime video digital credits. Hello Amazon, if you have to beg people to use Prime video that means they think it should be free. I don't even watch movies like that, just give me credit to buy more shit.

Worse than Amazon Prime.is Audible. Like $16/mo for an app? And then they make it nearly impossible to download content you.purchase on there? So dumb. I will be cancelling my free trial when it expires Jan 15.

I am a cheap bastard and only pay for wifi and mobile phone service, reluctantly.

the main reason many use firetv is like buying a commercial prebuilt computer rather than building one.

they're getting it for the device, that they can jailbreak to use other services. . . and that they likely shop thru amazon and use other things, too, so the convenience all those charges coming from the same place even if there's better options individually elsewhere.

toss in their tablets, too, which ares most popular for people with small children and stereotypically technologically challenged elderly that need bigger screens at an affordable price.

also in their favor, they have brand awareness over other devices and there's no serious setup required, so, it's virtually plug and play. . .

if you have a pc, tablet already or you're a phone wiz, then yeah, there's better "streaming" services for you

There are some downsides for sure. The image quality is kinda crappy. Was browsing through the other day & found an old favorite available free. Started watching and it just looked bad. All the blacks were completely dark, like one of the characters was wearing a black sweater & it just looked like a void. I pulled out my DVD & watched that instead. So much better.

Also, the way they go cheap on some stuff. I watched the first episode of Queer as Folk (US version) & they had all the original songs removed. Like the scene where Brian & Michael are on the hospital roof & "Proud" should start playing, but instead it's some generic anthem.

That is the fault of the production company not paying for streaming rights to the songs. It has happened to many shows, both on streaming, and in some cases on DVD. The rights were licensed for broadcast, but not for home media, and the artists and record companies want more money. That's the reason only the first season of Murphy Brown was released on DVD. It was too expensive to license the music, and since Candy Bergen was signing the songs, or singing along to them, they couldn't cut them out and replace them with other generic songs.

for jailbreaking and other helpful tips, try

...

but you look into other streaming devices for tv or getting a mini pc to use as one at a cheaper cost than most computers or even video game consoles (to use for streaming access).

They need to update the unappealing user experience. Like, bitch, maybe I want to filter this list of movies by category. I don’t really want to scroll down the home page until I find something like the category I’m looking for, with a mix of shit that I get for free but (more likely) have to pay for.

They do have some classy movies for free. Like Mannequin 2, Son in Law or other 80’s awful movies you forgot about.

as does tubi on roku. many trashy 1980s and 1990s films, some great ones too.

Amazon just had a special where you could add a station for 99 cents for two months. I just picked up Showtime so I can watch Yellowjackets, and I’ll check out a few other things while I have it. It’s a great offer.

[quote]Isn't it really just an add-on to the Prime delivery service?

It's not an add on, R3, it comes INCLUDED in the Prime delivery/membership thing.

[quote] It's not an add on, [R3], it comes INCLUDED in the Prime delivery/membership thing.

That’s what r3 said, meaning that the delivery is the main benefit of Prime and having access to a set of movies and shows on Prime at no additional cost is an additional, included benefit of Prime.

I've found a trick with Amazon Prime, especially if you're looking for old movies. Search for them on YouTube. Usually the old movie you want is there and is free.

[quote]All the blacks were completely dark,

Oh, no doubt I’ve got my eye on you now. I’m watching you!

They’ve had the episodes for Season 2 of [italic]What’s My Line[/italic] pictured for at least a year but when you go to watch it, it says “This program not available at this time.” Then why the fuck do you have the episodes listed? So infuriating!

[quote]Also, the way they go cheap on some stuff. I watched the first episode of Queer as Folk (US version) & they had all the original songs removed. Like the scene where Brian & Michael are on the hospital roof & "Proud" should start playing, but instead it's some generic anthem.

Showtime had to drop the original music back when they started re-airing QAF every June for Pride. Supposedly the early DVD box sets from around 2007 still have it.

It’s just an add-on.

Some of their old movies "Included with Prime" are in the public domain and have terrible picture quality.

Amazon Prime is alright. That Netflix is a total waste of money. HBO Max is the shit!

seedr

Some movies that were free in 2020 now cost money to rent or buy.

My expectations re: the movies / TV shows are low. I check in now and then to see what's free. IIRC, the Sopranos was free for a while, etc.

R30 All platforms rotate in and out what’s available to view, it was more about the end of the month cycle rather then the end of the year cycle. Unlike HBO Max, Prime doesn’t have a good filter for what new, what’s coming and what’s leaving.

..........

This thread is full of so many old farts it’s not even funny. Amazon Prime Video is merely a bonus.

My main problem with Prime Video is that it's hard to navigate. I wish they would categorize films by years.

Lol @ all this "it's merely a bonus!" BS. That's how they sold it to you (yes--sold it to you for the low low price of $119/yr + tax) so that you wouldn't complain about its offerings or shitty, buggy app. Let me guess: You also think you're getting "free" shipping on all of your Prime orders?

No you're not. You prepaid $119/yr + tax for that "free shipping." Like sheep lead to slaughter.

R26 Points out one of my pet peeves about Amazon, many of their movies are terrible quality, either public domain or raggedy over-copied prints.

The only thing I miss about cutting the cable is Turner classic movies, where every print they show is pristine.

And r21 is right about YouTube, I often find their free movies are better quality than the same ones available on Amazon

R36 really needs to sign up with Amazon Pharmacy so his mood stabilizer med shipments aren’t delayed

Sure a bonus after I got a survey about why I didn't ever stream with them, oddly right after this thread appeared.

It sucks!

Amazon Prime is not my "go to" source for streaming. But they do have plenty of "free" stuff included in Prime, the problem is the antiquated interface that has not been updated in years. To further confuse, they mix the free stuff with rental and purchase titles.

I saw today Amazon is upping the annual Prime fee and their shipping has gone to hell since Covid, which I the only reason I am a member. Prime video has always been a bonus. Not sure if I'll renew.

[quote] Like sheep lead to slaughter.

Oh, dear.

Their Dekkoo channel for LGBT films is quite extensive. But they are mostly silly rom coms or stilted dramas.

Their range of new series produced for Amazon Prime seems to be lagging behind the offerings Netflix, HBO Max, Hulu, Apple etc. I can’t remember when I last wanted to watch a series on there.

Joy Reid just ripped Jeff Bezos/Amazon apart. She was brilliant even calling his rocket a penis rocket.

Jeff Bezos is getting dork revenge on all of us. Those who laughed at him are now giving him a ton of $$$$!

I never laughed at him, nor do I give him a ton of money.