Amazon Prime Video occupies a unique position in the streaming landscape. It’s bundled with Prime membership for shoppers who want free shipping, yet it also stands alone as a dedicated streaming service. This creates genuine confusion about what you’re actually paying for, what features you get, and whether that extra $2.99 for ad-free viewing is worth it.
Here’s your complete breakdown of Prime Video plans, pricing, and features for 2026, including how to access the growing live sports lineup that now includes both Thursday Night Football and NBA games.
Prime Video Plans and Pricing
Prime Video offers two distinct subscription paths, and the pricing structure trips up even seasoned streamers. You can subscribe through a full Amazon Prime membership or get Prime Video as a standalone service.
Prime Video Subscription Options
| Plan | Monthly | Annual | Includes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prime Video (with ads) | $8.99 | — | Streaming only, ads included |
| Prime Video Ad-Free | $11.98 | — | No ads + Dolby Vision/Atmos |
| Amazon Prime (with ads) | $14.99 | $139 | Video + shipping + all Prime perks |
| Amazon Prime Ad-Free | $17.98 | — | All Prime perks + ad-free video |
Discounted Plans
Amazon offers reduced rates for eligible subscribers:
Prime for Young Adults (ages 18-24): $7.49/month or $69/year after a six-month free trial. Students with valid school email addresses also qualify.
Prime Access: $6.99/month for qualifying government assistance recipients (Medicaid, SNAP, and similar programs). Includes a 30-day free trial.
The Ad-Free Question: Is $2.99 Extra Worth It?
Here’s where Amazon’s pricing gets controversial. In January 2024, Prime Video introduced ads across all base subscriptions, regardless of whether you pay $8.99 for standalone or $14.99 for full Prime. Removing those ads costs an additional $2.99 per month.
But the $2.99 isn’t just about skipping commercials. Amazon quietly tied premium audio and video features to the ad-free tier:
Ad-Supported vs. Ad-Free Feature Comparison
| Feature | With Ads | Ad-Free (+$2.99) |
|---|---|---|
| 4K Ultra HD | ✓ | ✓ |
| HDR10/HDR10+ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dolby Vision | ✗ | ✓ |
| Dolby Atmos | ✗ | ✓ |
| Offline Downloads | ✓ | ✓ |
| Commercial-Free Viewing | ✗ | ✓ |
If you have a home theater setup with Dolby Vision and Atmos support, the ad-free tier becomes significantly more valuable. You’re not just paying to skip ads; you’re paying for the picture and sound quality your equipment can actually deliver.
Note that live sports will still include commercial breaks regardless of your subscription tier. That’s an industry standard across all streaming platforms.
Live Sports on Prime Video
Prime Video has transformed into a legitimate sports destination, and the 2025-26 season marks a major expansion with NBA games joining the lineup alongside Thursday Night Football.
Thursday Night Football
Prime Video holds exclusive rights to NFL Thursday Night Football through the 2033 season. Every Thursday during football season at 8:15 PM ET, you’ll find a nationally televised NFL game available only on Prime Video. This includes special holiday matchups like Black Friday Football and Christmas Day games.
The broadcast features Al Michaels on play-by-play, Kirk Herbstreit as analyst, and pregame coverage starting at 7 PM ET with Charissa Thompson and Ryan Fitzpatrick.
NBA on Prime Video
The 2025-26 NBA season marks Prime Video’s debut as a basketball broadcaster. The service streams regular-season games throughout the week, including Emirates NBA Cup matchups. Prime Video also carries NBA Cup quarterfinals, semifinals, and the championship game.
Additional Live Sports
Beyond the NFL and NBA, Prime Video streams WNBA games, NWSL women’s soccer matches, NASCAR races, ONE Championship martial arts events, and select MLB games. For additional sports coverage, Prime Video Channels lets you add services like DAZN, Paramount+, and regional sports networks for extra monthly fees.
Prime Video Content Library
Prime Video’s on-demand library includes over 10,000 movies and TV shows, plus Amazon MGM Studios originals that have become cultural touchstones.
Original Series
Amazon’s original programming includes some of the most expensive and ambitious shows in streaming history. The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power returns for its second season (with a third already confirmed), while Fallout became one of 2024’s biggest streaming hits. The Boys continues its satirical superhero saga, Reacher delivers action-thriller entertainment, and Beast Games from MrBeast pushes reality competition into new territory.
Other notable originals include The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Jack Ryan, Invincible, Good Omens, and The Night Manager Season 2 premiering in January 2026.
Movies and Licensed Content
The MGM acquisition brought James Bond films, Rocky, Creed, and decades of classic cinema to Prime Video. The service also licenses major theatrical releases and maintains a rotating library of blockbusters. Recent additions include Wicked, Avatar films, and a steady stream of Universal, Paramount, and independent titles.
Prime Video Channels
Prime Video serves as a hub for dozens of additional streaming services, letting you manage multiple subscriptions through a single interface. Available channels include Max, Paramount+, Apple TV+, Crunchyroll, MGM+, STARZ, and many more. Each requires a separate monthly fee but can be added directly through Prime Video with 7-day free trials typically available.
Prime Video Features and Device Support
All Prime Video subscriptions include:
Streaming quality: Up to 4K Ultra HD with HDR10 and HDR10+. Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos require the ad-free upgrade.
Simultaneous streams: Watch on up to three devices at once.
Downloads: Save titles for offline viewing on mobile devices.
User profiles: Create up to six profiles per account.
X-Ray: Amazon’s unique feature that displays cast information, music details, and trivia during playback.
Watch Party: Stream together with friends remotely (up to 100 people).
Prime Video works on virtually every streaming device: Fire TV, Roku, Apple TV, Chromecast, smart TVs from Samsung, LG, Sony, and others, gaming consoles (PlayStation, Xbox), smartphones, tablets, and web browsers.
Full Amazon Prime Benefits
If you subscribe through Amazon Prime rather than standalone Prime Video, you unlock a bundle of additional services:
Free shipping: Same-day, one-day, and two-day delivery on millions of items.
Amazon Music Prime: Ad-free shuffle playback of over 100 million songs.
Prime Reading: Access to rotating selection of books, magazines, and comics.
Amazon Photos: Unlimited full-resolution photo storage plus 5GB video storage.
Prime Gaming: Free PC games and in-game content monthly.
Grubhub+: Free delivery membership ($0 delivery fees on eligible orders).
Whole Foods discounts: Exclusive savings at Amazon Fresh and Whole Foods Market.
Prescription savings: Discounts at 60,000+ pharmacies including CVS, Walgreens, and Amazon Pharmacy.
Fuel savings: 10 cents off per gallon at 7,500+ participating stations.
How to Sign Up for Prime Video
Signing up takes just a few minutes:
1. Visit amazon.com/amazonprime or download the Prime Video app
2. Create an Amazon account or sign in to your existing account
3. Choose between standalone Prime Video ($8.99/month) or full Amazon Prime ($14.99/month or $139/year)
4. Enter your payment information
5. Start your 30-day free trial
Amazon Prime includes a 30-day free trial for new members. The same trial applies to standalone Prime Video subscriptions. If you haven’t used your Prime benefits during the trial period, you’re eligible for a full refund.
How to Cancel Prime Video
To cancel your subscription:
1. Go to https://www.amazon.com/amazonprime
2. Click “Update, cancel, and more”
3. Select “End membership”
4. Follow the prompts to confirm cancellation
Your access continues until the end of your current billing period. If you’ve paid annually and haven’t used Prime benefits, you may be eligible for a partial refund.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Get Prime Video Without Amazon Prime?
Yes. Standalone Prime Video costs $8.99 per month (plus $2.99 if you want ad-free viewing). You won’t get free shipping or other Prime benefits, but you’ll have full access to Prime Video’s streaming library and live sports.
Does Prime Video Have a Free Trial?
Yes. Both standalone Prime Video and Amazon Prime include a 30-day free trial for new subscribers. You can cancel anytime during the trial without being charged.
Is 4K Streaming Included?
4K Ultra HD, HDR10, and HDR10+ are available on all Prime Video subscriptions at no extra cost. However, Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos are exclusive to the ad-free tier ($2.99 additional per month).
How Many People Can Watch at Once?
Prime Video allows streaming on up to three devices simultaneously. You can also share select Prime benefits with one other adult in your Amazon Household.
Are NFL Games Included With Prime Video?
Yes. Thursday Night Football streams exclusively on Prime Video at no additional cost. This includes all regular-season Thursday games, Black Friday Football, and select holiday matchups.
What’s the Difference Between Prime Video and Freevee?
Freevee is Amazon’s free, ad-supported streaming tier with a limited selection of content. It’s accessible through the Prime Video app without any subscription, but offers fewer titles and includes more advertisements than even the base Prime Video subscription.
Is Prime Video Worth It in 2026?
Prime Video’s value proposition depends heavily on whether you’re already an Amazon shopper. For Prime members, the streaming service comes as an included perk alongside shipping benefits that many households already rely on. The $139 annual fee effectively gets you streaming plus the shipping, music, photos, and grocery discounts.
As a standalone streaming service at $8.99 per month, Prime Video faces stiffer competition. The original content library, while including genuine hits like Fallout and The Boys, isn’t as deep as Netflix or Max. What sets Prime Video apart is live sports access, particularly exclusive Thursday Night Football and the new NBA coverage.
The decision to charge extra for Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos remains frustrating for home theater enthusiasts, but for viewers who primarily watch on phones, tablets, or basic TVs, the ad-supported tier delivers solid value with minimal interruption.