In a surprising turn of events, Amazon Prime Video has decided to cut back on the audiovisual experience for users on its ad-supported tier. The move, following the introduction of ads to the streaming service on January 29, means that the free tier will no longer support Dolby Vision HDR or Dolby Atmos surround sound, leaving viewers with a diminished audiovisual feast.
The decision was first highlighted by German website 4KFilme and subsequently confirmed by Forbes. Instead of the previously available Dolby features, users on the ad-supported tier will now experience content in HDR10 with Dolby Digital 5.1. If users are looking to retain the higher quality audio experience, they’ll need to opt for the ad-free service, which comes with an additional cost of $2.99.
An Amazon spokesperson clarified the changes, stating, “Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos capabilities are only available on the ad-free option, on relevant titles.” This shift in strategy might irk users who were accustomed to the better audiovisual quality, especially considering the lack of a prior announcement regarding the removal of Dolby support from the ad-supported tier.
Amazon Prime Video’s ad-supported tier, introduced with ads at the end of January, has caused discontent among subscribers. The change not only introduces interruptions to their viewing experience but also strips away Dolby features unless they opt for the more expensive ad-free service. This move has prompted a proposed class-action lawsuit against Amazon, accusing the company of violating consumer protection laws and calling its change of terms “deceptive” and “unfair.”
The lawsuit argues that users who have already paid for a year-long Prime subscription were expecting an uninterrupted viewing experience, as promised by Amazon. However, with the removal of Dolby features from the ad-supported tier, subscribers feel that Amazon is not meeting their reasonable expectations. The proposed class action is seeking at least $5 million in damages and an injunction prohibiting Amazon’s “deceptive conduct.”
This shift in strategy not only affects users in terms of content quality but also raises concerns about transparency and customer satisfaction. Amazon, while introducing ads to its existing tier, did not explicitly mention the removal of Dolby features from the ad-supported tier, causing frustration among subscribers. As Amazon continues to make changes to its streaming service, it remains to be seen how these alterations will impact its subscriber base and reputation in the long run.
Now that we are nearing the end of 2023, we wanted to compile a quick movie list for you to binge on the weekend. Here are some unique movies we think everyone should check out on Netflix, Disney+ Hotstar, and Amazon Prime.
1. They Cloned Tyrone
Platform: Netflix
Initial release: June 14, 2023
The Online Response:
Rotten Tomatoes (Critic Consensus)
95%
Rotten Tomatoes (Audience Score)
100%
IMDB
6.6/10
Metacritic
74%
Google
91%
A clever sci-fi mystery led by the talented John Boyega, Jamie Foxx, and Teyonah Parris will see an unlikely trio stumble upon a government conspiracy. Filled with absurdist humour and satire, this inventive movie is worth a look.
2. Rebel Moon Part One – A Child of Fire
Platform: Netflix
Initial release: December 15, 2023
The Online Response:
Rotten Tomatoes (Critic Consensus)
25%
Rotten Tomatoes (Audience Score)
63%
IMDB
5.7/10
Metacritic
32%
Google
91%
If you love Zack Snyder’s works, especially the director’s cut of Justice League, you will enjoy this sci-fi space opera that is already getting an extended cut and a part two. Explore Zack Snyder’s fictional universe where a power hungry militaristic empire picks the wrong farming colony to terrorize and one villager who has decided enough is enough.
3. Leo
Platform: Netflix
Initial release: November 17, 2023
The Online Response:
Rotten Tomatoes (Critic Consensus)
82%
Rotten Tomatoes (Audience Score)
92%
IMDB
7.0/10
Metacritic
65%
Google
78%
It is an Adam Sandler movie, enough said! All jokes aside, this animated musical comedy is a fun idea about a classroom pet who wants freedom before he dies but ends up saving his class from a horrible substitute teacher. I think we all had one of those, shudders.
4. The Creator
Platform: Disney+ Hotstar
Initial release: September 29, 2023
The Online Response:
Rotten Tomatoes (Critic Consensus)
66%
Rotten Tomatoes (Audience Score)
76%
IMDB
6.8/10
Metacritic
63%
Google
78%
Many in the real world believe AI will take over the world and here is a movie that might show us what it would be like. This science fiction action flick will have you immersed in its spectacular visuals and solid writing. Directed by Gareth Edwards, the same director of the amazing Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, prepare for a story that doesn’t play it safe and feels refreshingly exhilarating.
5. Guardians of Galaxy Vol. 3
Platform: Disney+ Hotstar
Initial release: May 4, 2023
The Online Response:
Rotten Tomatoes (Critic Consensus)
82%
Rotten Tomatoes (Audience Score)
94%
IMDB
7.9/10
Metacritic
64%
Google
89%
Hands down the best of the MCU: Phase Five releases currently, this tear-jerker of a movie explores Rocket’s past. If you do not shed any tears or at least feel teary-eyed during this movie, you sir are either robots without an emotional chip or one of those “professional critics”.
6. Flamin’ Hot
Platform: Disney+ Hotstar
Initial release: May 4, 2023
The Online Response:
Rotten Tomatoes (Critic Consensus)
69%
Rotten Tomatoes (Audience Score)
88%
IMDB
6.9/10
Metacritic
58%
Google
86%
A fun comedy-drama to balance against all the sci-fi movies on this list, Flamin’ Hot is one of those based on true story movies. Which generally is code for not historically accurate at all but still a super fun watch. Follow Richard Montañez’s retelling of how he as a janitor became an Executive who invented Flamin’ Hot Cheetos.
7. Air
Platform: Amazon Prime Video
Initial release: April 5, 2023
The Online Response:
Rotten Tomatoes (Critic Consensus)
93%
Rotten Tomatoes (Audience Score)
98%
IMDB
7.4/10
Metacritic
73%
Google
87%
Batman, Ben Affleck, directs a biographical sports drama about how Sonny Vaccaro, Nike, and Micheal Jordan revolutionized the world of sports and contemporary culture. With a phenomenal casting for a movie about a business negotiation, that has no real right to be this fascinating, it is a clear slam dunk to watch.
8. Suzume
Platform: Amazon Prime Video
Initial release: November 11, 2022
The Online Response:
Rotten Tomatoes (Critic Consensus)
96%
Rotten Tomatoes (Audience Score)
98%
IMDB
7.7/10
MyAnimeList.net
8.3/10
Google
96%
If you love Makoto Shinkai’s previous works, Your Name and Weathering with You, you will surely not have missed this movie. For those who haven’t heard of any of these, Suzume tells the riveting and beautiful story of a 17-year-old high school girl and a young stranger who must team up to prevent a series of catastrophes from happening around Japan. A must-watch for any anime fan.
9. Merry Little Batman
Platform: Amazon Prime Video
Initial release: December 8, 2023
The Online Response:
Rotten Tomatoes (Critic Consensus)
96%
Rotten Tomatoes (Audience Score)
75%
IMDB
6.4/10
Metacritic
74%
Google
48%
An animated superhero film, Merry Little Batman will have us follow Damian as he takes on Joker’s plot to ruin Christmas in Gotham. A campy fun adventure, this movie will show viewers a nice fresh take on Damian that might make you like him.
Honourable Mention: The Boy and the Heron (君たちはどう生きるか)
Platform: In Cinemas Now
Initial release: July 14, 2023
The Online Response:
Rotten Tomatoes (Critic Consensus)
96%
Rotten Tomatoes (Audience Score)
89%
IMDB
7.7/10
Metacritic
91%
Google
88%
Hayao Miyazaki is back at it again with another anime that will take you on a roller coaster of emotions. This time the film centres around a young boy, Mahito, who struggles to fit into a new town after his mother passes. However, he comes across a talking heron that tells him that she still lives. Follow Mahito on his quest to find his mother. This emotional journey might just give you the best closure to an eventful 2023.
August has come and gone… and with the strikes happening in the U.S., it can seem like there’s not many things that you can add to your watchlist – whether it’s offline or on one of the growing number of streaming platforms. But, don’t be down in the dumps, we’ve got a rundown of a few shows that should be on your watchlist, if they aren’t already.
If you missed the first season, what have you doing with yourself!? This is arguably one of the best epic high fantasy series on streaming right now. The series is based on a series of 15 books called “The Wheel of Time” and follows a group of young people, an Aes Sedai and her warder as they try to stave off the Dark One.
Source: Amazon Prime Video
Season 2 picks off where Season 1 left off with our main characters scattered to the winds as the end of the world quickly approaches. After the events that happened in Fal Dara, we see Nynaeve and Egwene learning the ways of the Aes Sedai while maneuvering the politics that have seeped into the White Tower. Meanwhile, Moirraine and Lan are in a remote hillside as she learns to navigate the realities of being sealed off from the Source. Her inner turmoil straining the bond between her and Lan. Perrin continues the search for Padan Fain as he seeks revenge for the death Fain has wrought.
While all of this is happening, we are left with the threads from season 1’s finale as new, unknown forces have begun to invade from the ocean. Don’t forget, the Dark One is still out there.
Season 2 kicks off on September 1, 2023 with 3 episodes being released simultaneously on Amazon Prime Video. The season will consist of 8 episodes in total. The series stars Josha Stradowski, Rosamund Pike, Daniel Henney, Zoë Robins, Madeleine Madden, Marcus Rutherford, Dónal Finn as Mat Cauthon, and Ceara Coveney.
Based on the popular manga and anime series, One Piece brings the adventures of Luffy and band of misfit pirates into live action. The series follows Monkey D Luffy as he quests to find the “One Piece” to become king of the pirates. Luffy’s journey begins in the East Blue Sea, driven by a quest to uncover the legendary “One Piece,” the ultimate treasure left behind by the late King of the Pirates, Gol D. Roger. His ambition is to claim the title of Pirate King for himself. To achieve this, Luffy seeks to build his own crew, known as the Straw Hat Pirates. Along the way, they are joined by a diverse group of individuals, each with their own unique talents and quirks.
Their journey is anything but ordinary as they cross paths with fellow pirates, bounty hunters, criminal organizations, and revolutionaries. They also face off against enigmatic scientists, soldiers of the morally ambiguous World Government, and a host of both allies and adversaries. As they navigate the vast seas, they inch closer to realizing their dreams and ambitions.
“One Piece” is a tale of adventure, friendship, and the pursuit of one’s destiny, offering a rich and immersive world that continues to captivate audiences around the globe. But then again… you already knew this… right
The series stars Iñaki Godoy, Mackenyu, Emily Rudd, Jacob Romero and Taz Skylar.
Star Wars fans will undoubtedly already be devouring this series. The new series in the Star Wars franchise follows one of the most popular characters to come from its animated Clone Wars series – Ahsoka Tano, Anakin Skywalker’s Padawan.
Source: Disney+ Hotstar
Having forsaken the Jedi order after the events of the Clone Wars and slowly become a figurehead in Rebel movement, Ahsoka finds herself looking into an emerging threat after the fall of the Empire.
The series premiered back in August and stars Rosario Dawson as the titular character.
God of War is coming to life thanks to a deal between PlayStation Studios, Sony and Amazon Prime. Amazon Prime broke the news in a single tweet which read “God of War is coming”. The announcement comes barely a week after God of War won six awards at the Game Awards.
According to Deadline, Prime Video has been in negotiations with Sony and PlayStaion to bring the critically acclaimed game to the silver screen since its first report in March. It appears like negotiations have gone well with some of Hollywood’s best TV Fantasy talent coming onboard. The God of War series is apparently going to be helmed by Rafe Judkins who has worked on titles like Amazon’s “The Wheel of Time”, “Agents of SHIELD” and “The 4400” to name a few. He’ll be working with the creators of “The Expanse” Mark Fergus and Hawk Ostby. The series has already been in production since March according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Fan of the series will definitely be excited to see where the series takes its inspiration as God of War as a franchise has a rich library of tales to tell. According to the report from Hollywood Reporter, the story will be taking its queue from the game after Kratos hangs up his blades and retires to the Norse realm of Midgard. Of course, if the game is any indication, we’re in for loads of adventure and thrills as Kratos and Arteus discover that his late wife’s last wish was a quest in disguise. The father and son duo will be facing the minions of Hel and take on new gods and mythical creatures as they seek to save the world.
God of War is the latest game in Sony’s library to get the Hollywood treatment. It joins the ranks of Unchartered and, most recently, The Last of Us. There’s no indication when the series will be released nor any news of the cast just yet.
Malaysia’s largest pay TV operator, Astro Malaysia Holdings, is looking to start a streaming service to take on deep-pocketed, international rivals such as Netflix and Amazon Prime. According to a report by Nikkei Asia, Astro is planning to launch a new streaming service sometime in 2021. The service will mainly focus on the original content made by the pay-TV company. This includes their numerous productions spanning multiple genres such as movies, series, and variety shows. Naturally, the main audience Astro is looking at for now, is the Malaysian audience.
Source: Astro Malaysia
Astro’s ability to subsidize local content production and its understanding of the market gives it and added advantage over global competitors. The report by Nikkei also pointed out that Astro is relying on its knowledge on the Malaysian market as well as its extensive customer, marketing, and sales reach in order to attract other content providers. Astro will be a natural partner to welcome any companies that are seeking to enter the Malaysia market . Astro has so far partnered with HBO GO and China’s iQIYI which aligns with Astro’s efforts to position itself as a “super aggregator” of digital content.
As it enters the Streaming (known in the industry as over the top (OTT)) it will be looking at catering to different groups which have emerged. This can be seen from the pricing strategies adopted by its competition which caters to unique groups with different psychologies. However, it seems that one thing that may take anyone by surprise, the pay TV operator isn’t going to banking on its brand for the streaming service opting to go with a completely new brand.
