On social media platforms, many users complained about Amazon Prime Video’s early access policy, which encourages users to pay more to watch the film without waiting for a few more days. This seems like a scam as the subscribers have already purchased Amazon Prime video subscriptions on a monthly or yearly basis!
So, what’s the real story? Is Amazon really cheating their prime customers? What is early access? Let’s crack everything in detail below…
Customer Feedback
If you check out the Prime Video Facebook page in India, you will see that users are not happy with Amazon and are criticizing them for these unethical practices that force users to buy another subscription.
As per the customers who are shouting on social media platforms… we have purchased a Prime Video 1-year subscription, but we are still unable to watch the latest movies as the new film is tagged as early access or rent it now. To watch them, Prime video OTT platform demands more money which costs around Rs 99 to Rs 549.
This is completely an insane thing as we already paid Rs 1499 for 1 year and in return, you are not giving anything instead, you are demanding more money. This is cheating and an online loot and not acceptable.
Amazon Feedback
In reply, Amazon Prime support says that the content which is marked as Early Access, is for those who would like to watch movies early. This means as per their words, those who eagerly wait for this movie can watch it now by paying extra money, or if they can wait they can watch the same movie for free after a few days.
Is Amazon Prime Video Early Access A Scam?
People call it a scam or loot because they have a valid subscription and as per that, the movie content should be available for them without any limitation. Amazon can put a “can’t be watched restriction” for non-prime members who have not subscribed to their services. But for those who already subscribed to their services… this early access is completely a scam because it doesn’t make any sense.
Apart from that, Amazon provides early access for those who would like to watch the movie without further delay. For a second, I agree with this statement… okay if someone is really dying to watch a movie then go ahead…. pay money and watch it now.
But there is a question…. We have seen many times that Amazon comes with an early access tag… but after 30 days we see, that the early access tagged movie is still not available to watch for free for Prime members. Instead, Amazon rents the movie or removes it from the platform which is completely unethical and fraud.
And why are we saying it is unethical and fraudulent, you tagged the movie as early access… means it would be available to watch for free for those who subscribed to Prime Video membership. But Amazon plays the next move and removes the early access movie from the platform. And those who have subscribed to Amazon thinking that this movie will definitely be available on this platform… their money is lost.
Amazon Prime Video Early Access Scam Examples
2 big examples that happened in a period of 1 year when Amazon showed that this movie is available to watch with an early access tag… means for now you (even Prime members) have to pay, but if you can wait then you can watch it later for free.
- In 2023, Prime Video displayed that Barbie is available to watch and they tagged it as Early Access. After 30 days, they removed it and what we see in Barbie movie is now available to watch on JioCinema.
- Same it happened in 2024 when they showed the Bad Boys 4 aks Bad Boys: Dead or Alive is available to watch with Early Access. But what we see, after 30 days they removed it, and this movie is now available on Netflix.
Conclusion
So, if you’re sure this movie can’t be released on your platform, why are you misleading people? Why do you show big banners claiming the movie is available to watch with an ‘Early Access’ tag? Isn’t it a scam? Why use the term ‘early access’ when it’s more appropriate to say ‘available for rent’?
Other platforms like Netflix, JioCinema, and Disney+… never cheat their customers in such a way! They are quite sure about what content will be released on their platform in upcoming months. They let their customers be aware in advance by social media or in-app new sections that this movie is going to release on this day.
So finally, yes Amazon looting Prime Video customers in the name of early access. This is not one single thing, their loot is continuing as they not releasing any big series or movies on their platform instead they force customers to buy other OTT subscriptions like watching this content on Lionsgate, or subscribe to Discovery Plus, this is on rent, this not available blah blah blah!
What’s your take on prime video early access? Please let us know in the comments and don’t forget to share it with others!
