That could be a powerful offering if Amazon can boost the library a bit. $89 per year for Amazon Prime with 2 day shipping and streaming is a few bucks cheaper than a year of Netflix streaming only (7.99*12=95.88) and potentially much more valuable.<p>For someone who shops at Amazon a lot, only uses streaming a little and doesn't have a DVD add-on, this could be huge.<p>Although, when MP3s arrived at Amazon most people stuck with iTunes. Netflix might have enough brand recognition to prevent more than a handful from switching unless Amazon launches a serious campaign.<p>Edit: The other nifty part is Amazon offers video on demand for free with some DVD/Blu-ray purchases. Sending those along speedily plus instant watch also helps people choose Amazon over the local Target, Best Buy etc.
Same story, different provider:<p><i>We have detected that you are not located within the US. Due to licensing restrictions Amazon Instant Video customers must be located in the United States when viewing videos online</i><p>If they can get this to follow me around the world, I'm there. Until then there are a lot of us still without a viable way to watch movies from the internet. (no legal way, that is.)
One very interesting aspect that I haven't seen mentioned yet is that Netflix does a LOT on AWS. I wonder if seeing their infrastructure provider start competing more directly with them, makes them rethink that.
As a college student using a free prime subscription, it's kind of lame that it's paid only (I understand their reasoning though).<p>My only other concern is how they're delivering the videos. Is it just flash? Or is it some crazy Silverlight+DRM thing like netflix? If it's the former they could attract some Linux users who can't use netflix.
Of course, US only.<p>I get that the whole system of rights to movies (an music) is a mess.<p>Could we not reset the system at least for NEW movies, and give them somehow unified world wide distribution rights?
So... are they anticipated to follow this up with the other half of the Netflix-style service? You know, renting movies that people actually want to watch.
So is Amazon hoping to topple Netflix with this? I'm curious to find out if devices that support Amazon Instant Video will also have this service automatically. That would be a game changer for sure.<p>Amazon clearly has the user and advertising base for this sort of option. However, would I really put customers that want quick shipping and want streaming video in the same bucket? I guess the only similarity is wanting a premium service at a subscription.
This is only for paid prime accounts. With my free Amazon Mom prime account I just get a button to upgrade to the paid account. I have about a years worth of free prime built up from buying diapers.
I wonder if Amazon Prime instant videos will also work for shared accounts. Prime allows for sharing the account with 4 family members. Will instant videos work for family members too?<p>Netflix allows 7(?) devices that can be linked to an account. Some people also share accounts and it seems to work for them.
A lot of people are saying they'd cancel Netflix the moment amazon increases their selection but in order to do that amazon will have to raise prices. That means it'll probably cost more than Netflix and you'll probably not make the move since most wont need fast shipping AND streaming movies.
One of the things I was really mad about Netflix was the fact they stopped publishing their list of most viewed instant play movies as far as I can tell because customer's were using it too much.<p>Same with the "New Release" DVD page, which is now hidden but still accessible. Again, customers were using it too much. That one I could somewhat understand as it caused contention for physical DVDs, but the solution seems to be buy more DVDs, don't hide a useful feature.<p>If Amazon's selection improves, I will be the first to cancel the Netflix subscription and I truly believe Netflix will be in trouble. They just aren't anywhere near as customer focused as Amazon.
Link to Amazon site:
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Video-On-Demand/b?ie=UTF8&node=16261631" rel="nofollow">http://www.amazon.com/Video-On-Demand/b?ie=UTF8&node=162...</a>