Amazon Prime Video launches in India

Amazon Prime was launched in India this July. Since then, people have been waiting eagerly for the company's video on demand streaming service, Amazon Prime video that it promised would hit Indian shores soon. And looks like the wait is finally over now as the video-streaming service has finally been released in the country and can be accessed by existing (and new) Prime users via both desktop and mobile.

Amazon Prime Video service is an offering which will be available to Amazon’s Prime subscribers. It lets you stream TV shows and movies – both Indian and international including the Amazon Original Series as well.

Notably, it’s the local content that Amazon has beefed up in deals with leading Indian film studios like Dharma Productions and T-Series that many users are eagerly waiting for. Reportedly, the company has also acquired the rights to blockbuster regional movie hits like Kabali and Their. Then, the Seattle-based company is also in the race for the IPL streaming rights, which would give the company access to India's huge sports market.

Recently, Amazon signed a partnership agreement with Green Gold Animation to bring kid-friendly shows such as Chota Bheem, Super Bheem, and Mighty Raju to its platform. This partnership also includes exclusive rights to all movies and TV shows produced by the animators in the coming months. It has also partnered with Japan’s TV Asahi Corporation for popular shows like Doraemon, Shinchan, and Ninja Hattori.

Prime subscription in India is available at an introductory price of Rs 499 for a year, which is expected to go up to Rs 999 later. At the present rate, that works out to under Rs. 50 per month, and even at full price it would be under Rs. 100 per month.

In the US, a Prime subscription costs $99, and in the UK it is for £96. Netflix offers its lowest pack at Rs 500 per month, while Hotstar offers premium subscription at Rs 199 per month.

This perfect combination of pricing and local plus international content would surely help Amazon Prime Video to have edge over its competitors and disrupt streaming in India.