Update: We now have learned that the new Season Pass system charges the same price even if you own some of the shows already. You can learn more about this by clicking here.
Amazon has changed how season pass works for some shows. In the past season show charged you as the shows where released. Now some shows charge you for the whole season upfront and delivers the shows after they are aired.
From Amazon.com website:
TV Season Pass gives you the option to buy the entire season of a currently airing TV show up-front with your 1-Click payment method.
When you order a TV Season Pass, any episodes of the show that have already been broadcast are immediately available to watch from your video library. New episodes become available as soon as possible after their original network air date (usually the following day). We’ll send you an e-mail notification to let you know when they’ve been added to your video library.
You own each episode and can stream or download it on any compatible device. For more information about ways to watch, go to Amazon Instant Video Compatible Devices.
You can start a TV Season Pass when browsing Amazon Instant Video on your computer’s web browser. For shows with TV Season Pass available, the purchasing options on the detail page include the price to order the full season. TV Season Passes charge to your 1-Click payment method when you click Buy.
Note: Some TV seasons still have the option to purchase a TV Pass that charges episodes to you one-at-a-time. If you purchase one of these older passes or already have one active on your account, episodes will continue to be charged and delivered to you in the same way until the end of the scheduled season. You can view and manage these passes from the Passes and Pre-orders page in Your Account.
Source: http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=201480590
It seams that it is up to the publisher to decided how they want this to work. TLC shows now charge you upfront but BBC shows allow you to pay as you go. Currently it seams that most network still charge you as you go.
It will be interesting to see how this effect sales. Will people pay upfront if they are unsure how many shows they will receive? Is there still a 5% discount for buy a season pass? I know many people happily pay $1.89 for each show as they come out but will they pay $22.98 with out knowing the number of episodes?
There is also the issue of cost if you buy 4 seasons in September that will cost you $91.92 if you pay upfront. In the past paying $1.89 would only cost you $30.24 a month for 4 new episodes for each show. Will sticker shock cut back on the number of people buying seasons on Amazon?
Are you happy with this change? Do you wish it was a option rather than being forced on you? Will this effect how many shows you buy at once now? Let us know in the comments.