Amazon CEO Andy Jassy Touts Prime Video’s 200 Million Monthly Viewers
By Movieguide® Contributor
In an annual letter to shareholders, Amazon CEO Andy Jassy lauded Prime Video for successfully introducing ads and reaching 200 million monthly viewers.
“Recently, we’ve expanded our streaming TV advertising by introducing ads into Prime Video shows and movies, where brands can reach over 200 million monthly viewers in our most popular entertainment offerings, across hit movies and shows, award-winning Amazon MGM Originals, and live sports like THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL,” Jassy said. “Streaming TV advertising is growing quickly and off to a strong start.”
Ads were introduced to Prime Video at the end of January, with Prime subscribers offered the option to remove them for an additional $2.99 per month. In total, the introduction of ads is expected to generate an additional $3 billion for Amazon in 2024, rising to over $7 billion by 2026.
These numbers are staggering, coming from a service originally created as a side offering to Amazon’s Prime shipping service. With continuous improvement and investment, Prime Video has grown to rival streaming giants like Netflix by offering some of the best content available.
“We have increasing conviction that Prime Video can be a large and profitable business on its own. This confidence is buoyed by the continued development of compelling, exclusive content (e.g. THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL, LORD OF THE RINGS, REACHER, THE BOYS, CITADEL, ROAD HOUSE, etc.), Prime Video customers’ engagement with this content, growth in our marketplace programs (through third-party Channels program, as well as the board selection of shows and movies customers rent or buy), and the addition of advertising in Prime Video,” Jassy said.
Amazon’s belief in Prime Video and desire to continue growing the platform was evident earlier this year when it announced numerous new projects aimed at underserved audiences.
In January, Prime Video revealed its partnership with Jon Erwin’s newly formed Wonder Project studio to bring the faith-based HOUSE OF DAVID to life. Later that month, it revealed its plans to highlight esport athletes and bring professional gaming to a mainstream audience. In March, Prime Video finalized plans to create the largest reality competition show ever, with YouTuber Mr. Beast hosting a series with 1,000 contestants fighting for a $5 million cash prize.
Movieguide® previously reported:
Amazon Prime Video has put in a series order for BEAST GAMES, a reality competition show from YouTuber MrBeast.
BEAST GAMES has hopes “to become the biggest reality competition series ever with 1000 contestants competing for a $5 million dollar cash prize,” according to a press release about the show.
MrBeast — whose real name is Jimmy Donaldson — will host the show and serve as an executive producer. He is one of YouTube’s biggest content creators, boasting 245 million subscribers to his channel.
“His family-friendly videos typically feature stunts and acts of philanthropy, such as paying for cataract surgeries to help 1,000 blind people see again,” The Hollywood Reporter explained. “He’s given away millions in food and supplies for those in need. He’s built his own studio for creating content, a $10 million facility in North Carolina.”
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