Amazon is offering Ultra HD streaming at no extra cost

We’re getting to the stage now where 1080p is becoming less of an exception and more of a necessity, which means it’s time to start looking at how we can improve resolution in the coming years. We’re already starting to see bumps in video resolution from the likes of Netflix, but in many instances it’s going to end up costing you more. But not if you use Amazon’s Prime Instant Video service.

Earlier this year Amazon announced that it would be partnering with a number of studios (and Samsung) to bring 4K streaming to it’s on-demand streaming service. Fortunately, the company has now announced that as long as you’re a paying member and you have a 4K television you can enjoy that glorious high-resolution content at no extra cost.

Michael Paull, Amazon’s Vice President of Digital Video, said:

We want to be the best entertainment destination for customers. We’re confident that offering Ultra HD content, whether it’s a TV series or a film, will help create the ultimate viewing experience and can’t wait to start making it available this year. We’ve already announced that the Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga: Cheek To Cheek LIVE! concert will be available in the premium resolution as well as Amazon Original Series including Transparent, Alpha House and the upcoming Mozart in the Jungle series, and we’re excited to unveil even more titles that Prime members and customers can watch in Ultra HD later this year and into next year. Amazon Prime members will have access to a great selection of Ultra HD content on Prime Instant Video at no additional cost.

Netflix, one of Amazon’s biggest rivals in the world of online streaming, has already announced that users wishing to view 4K content will soon have to pay extra. The UK prices weren’t revealed, but it was an increase from $8 to $12 over in the US. I’m sure many people would love to view Kevin Spacey’s glorious soliloquies in 4K, but they might not be so inclined if it involves paying an extra couple of pounds each month.

Netflix might be winning on the content right now, but Amazon seems to be doing pretty  well on the pricing sides of things