You’ve probably heard of Amazon Prime and its many online shopping benefits, but did you realize that your free overnight shipping and discount sundries come with an entire video service? Yes, Amazon Prime Video is included as a standard feature for all Prime memberships. You can also purchase the service as a standalone streamer if you don’t plan on making use of the other program features.
Amazon’s exclusive streaming service is the place to go for award-winning original shows, binge-worthy box sets, and blockbuster movies. Of course, it’s hard to know if it’s worth paying for any service without trying it. Luckily, Prime Video has an impressive free trial and deals to take advantage of. Read on for how to get them.
What is Amazon Prime Video?
Amazon Prime Video is Amazon’s on-demand streaming service. Existing Prime members can enjoy the service for free, but non-Prime users can subscribe to Prime Video separately if preferred. You’ll find thousands of titles to watch, from action-packed flicks to highly entertaining reality shows.
Plus, you can’t miss Prime Originals. Whether it’s The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel or Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan series, Amazon’s exclusive shows are a must-watch. The on-demand streaming platform has also started to produce movies, including Brittany Runs a Marathon, which earned a top prize at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival.
Sports fans will be happy to learn that the NFL has signed an exclusive deal with Amazon for Thursday Night Football. Starting in the 2022-2023 season, Prime Video will be the exclusive platform for Thursday night games. This includes pre- and post-game coverage.
For an additional monthly cost, you can subscribe to more than 100 networks for even more on-demand content — premium names like Starz and Showtime feature on the list, as well as newer streaming platforms like AMC+ and Paramount+. There’s also the opportunity to rent and buy tons of shows and movies.
How Do I Sign Up for an Amazon Prime Video Free Trial?
Signing up for a Prime Video free trial is pretty straightforward because there’s only one way to do it. First, go to the Amazon website. At the top of the screen, you’ll see a button asking you to Try Prime.
If you have an Amazon account, you’ll be prompted to sign in. But if you’re new to the service, you can create an account. Note that you will have to give over a few personal details like your email address and card payment information.
Once you’re signed in, click Start Your Trial. You’ll be taken to another page and asked to click Start Your Free Trial. Select that button and your free trial will begin. Keep in mind that you must not have been an Amazon Prime member for the last 12 months to take advantage of a trial offer.
What Types of Free Trials Does Amazon Prime Video Typically Offer?
There isn’t a separate Amazon Video trial. But Amazon offers a whopping 30-day free trial of its full Prime service for new customers or people who haven’t tried Prime in a while. This 30-day offer is available all year round.
College students are the only people who can enjoy an extended free trial. They’ll receive six months for free — a deal that’s pretty hard to turn down.
Are There Bundle Deals with Amazon Prime Video?
Unfortunately, Prime Video doesn’t form part of a streaming service bundle. You can’t buy it as an add-on to another service, either. The only way to get Prime Video is through Amazon itself.
Current 2022 Amazon Prime Video Deals
Amazon Prime Video’s current free trial is 30 days long. After that, you can either pay per month or receive a discount to pay per year. If you know you’ll use all of Amazon Prime’s perks, an annual membership will often pay for itself.
College students can get a six-month free trial of Prime, including Prime Video. Plus, they’ll receive exclusive online shopping deals and a discounted rate once the trial’s up: either $7.49/mo. or $69/yr. — a 50% discount off the regular price. You’ll need a student email or proof of enrollment to sign up for Prime Student and can reap the rewards for four years or until the date you graduate (if that comes first).
Discounts for the full Prime service are also available for people who have an EBT or Medicaid card. The fee comes to just $6.99/mo.
What Should I Do After My Amazon Prime Video Trial Expires?
When your Prime Video trial comes to an end, you can cancel or upgrade to a paid membership. To get access to just Prime Video and nothing else, you’ll pay $8.99/mo. Alternatively, you can get the full Prime membership for a slightly higher price: $14.99/mo. or $139/yr.
Amazon Prime Perks
Prime members get plenty of Amazon-related perks, including free two-day shipping, exclusive shopping promos, and unlimited Prime Music streaming. Of course, full Prime members can also enjoy everything Prime Video has to offer. But if you’re not an avid online shopper, you may just want to use Prime Video. If you do, you’ll have access to an on-demand library of thousands of titles from modern times and years gone by. Amazon’s original titles, such as The Boys and The Man in the High Castle, are also yours to view whenever you like.
Live TV on Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Prime Video doesn’t have a live TV offering like Sling TV or Hulu + Live TV. The closest you can get is ordering a channel that lets you watch some shows right after they air on live TV. For instance, if you get Paramount+, you will be able to see many CBS shows the next day. Amazon also has deals with several leagues across the globe, including with the NFL for Thursday Night Football and with the English Premier League.
Canceling Amazon Prime Video
It’s clear Prime Video has a lot to offer for a competitive monthly price. But if the service isn’t for you, make sure you cancel before your free trial ends. If you forget, you’ll automatically be charged for a paid membership. To cancel, head to the Your Prime Membership section of your account. There, you’ll see an option to End Trial. Amazon will try and convince you to stay, so you may have to keep clicking End Trial buttons until you reach the cancellation confirmation page.
Remember, there are plenty of other on-demand streaming services to try. Netflix and Hulu both have equally impressive catalogs with award-winning original content that can’t be viewed elsewhere. Both come with a similar 30-day free trial. (Hulu even has a live TV option that you can try for 7 days.)
The Final Cut
From highly-rated original content to live TV add-ons, Prime Video is an all-around good choice for any streaming fan. Its 30-day free trial ensures you’ll have enough time to try out all of the options, whether it’s a brand new on-demand movie, a live NFL game, or a rewatch of your favorite show. So go ahead and try it. What have you got to lose?