Amazon Prime Video: Streaming service fees in comparison

Film and series fans have to dig deeper and deeper into their pockets if they want to access the range of streaming services.

Amazon Prime Video: Streaming service fees in comparison

Film and series fans have to dig deeper and deeper into their pockets if they want to access the range of streaming services. The choice of providers is large, but the fees can quickly add up to a large amount. These are the costs of the currently most important services in Germany in comparison.

Amazon has announced that the group will soon increase the fees for a Prime membership, which includes the streaming service Prime Video. After a free period of 30 days for new customers, either 8.99 euros per month or 89.90 euros per year will be due in future, depending on the payment method selected. The first price increase since 2017 will take effect on September 15, 2022.

In addition, users can book so-called channels. After a free seven-day trial period, Starzplay costs around 4.99 euros per month. In 2022, Amazon Freevee will also be available as an additional, free service in Germany. The exact date is not yet known.

In addition to other series and films, the catalog also includes numerous in-house productions, including hits such as the comedy show "LOL: Last One Laughing" and the uncompromising superhero action "The Boys". The fantasy epic "The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power" will also start on September 2nd.

Netflix is ​​one of the biggest names in the streaming business. The service particularly attracts consumers with exclusive series such as "Stranger Things", "Squid Game", "Bridgerton" and "The Crown". Users can currently choose between three subscriptions. The "Basic" package, which has a significantly limited range of functions, is available for EUR 7.99 per month, the "Standard" subscription costs EUR 12.99 per month and the "Premium" version costs EUR 17.99.

In the past, the provider has raised the prices several times. In North America, users have had to pay more since last January. "The increase in the USA has no influence on a global price change and does not indicate it either," the service said at the time when asked by the news agency spot on news. However, the service could possibly be readjusted again in this country at the beginning of 2023. In Germany, Netflix last raised subscription prices in January 2021, previously in April 2019. The service is also testing fee-based models in several countries to prevent unauthorized sharing of accounts. However, there are still no details about a possible introduction in Germany.

Another big provider is Disney. In terms of price, the streaming service is on par with Amazon Prime Video. The monthly subscription costs 8.99 euros, an alternative annual option 89.90 euros. However, there is no free trial period.

Thanks to productions like "Loki" or "The Mandalorian", superhero and "Star Wars" fans in particular are in good hands here. In addition, the program also includes pearls such as Donald Glover's (38) comedic drama series "Atlanta". Furthermore, among other things, a series for the fantasy series "Eragon" is in the making, as the industry magazine "Variety" recently reported.

Sky renamed its in-house streaming service Sky Ticket to Wow in June. Consumers can choose between three variants. The "series" package is currently available for 7.99 euros per month, a "films

In addition to in-house productions such as "Der Pass", the provider scores particularly well with series such as "Westworld" and "Euphoria" from the US broadcaster HBO. From the end of August, the first season of the "Game of Thrones" offshoot "House of the Dragon" can also be seen here. The film selection is also promising thanks to titles such as "James Bond 007: No Time to Die", "Spider-Man: Homecoming" and "Ghostbusters: Legacy".

In terms of the sheer number of films and series, Apple TV does not come close to its competitors, but the service beats many competitors in terms of price. After a free trial period of one week, the tech giant charges 4.99 euros per month.

Apple relies on high-quality originals. One of the highlights is the sci-fi nightmare "Severance", directed by Ben Stiller (56) alongside Aoife McArdle. Meanwhile, Jason Sudeikis (46) convinces in the comedy series "Ted Lasso". One of the upcoming highlights is the western drama "Killers of the Flower Moon" by Martin Scorsese (79), which is expected for 2023 and will feature Leonardo DiCaprio (47), among others.

The German TV stations also want a piece of the streaming cake. In addition to live TV and their own productions, Joyn and RTL also offer other series and films. The entire selection is available on the services of ProSiebenSat.1 and RTL but only for a fee. After a one-week free trial, users can use the full range of Joyn Plus for EUR 6.99; consumers can initially test the RTL subscription for 30 days free of charge before paying EUR 4.99 per month for a "Premium" or 7, 99 euros are due for a "Premium Duo" package.

All of this can quickly become expensive. For example, anyone who books new monthly subscriptions from Amazon Prime Video and Disney as well as a “standard” package from Netflix from September 15th will have to pay almost 31 euros a month as of today as soon as the free period on Amazon has expired. Therefore, a look at free alternatives could be worthwhile.

Citizens pay broadcasting fees anyway, so why not use the free media libraries of ARD, ZDF and arte, for example? There are also numerous documentaries, films and series here, which, however, are not always available. For example, if a horror film has been released for ages 16 and over, users can only play it in the ARD media center after 10 p.m.

Providers such as Netzkino also show content free of charge. However, these are often much older films and less well-known productions. Users have to put up with advertising if they don't want to subscribe here too, which costs between EUR 1.99 a month and EUR 44.99 a year, depending on the model selected.