4K TVs had a strong presence back in January at the Consumer Electronics Show 2014. At that mega tech event online video streaming companies like Amazon committed to offering 4K or Ultra HD streaming. Its rival Netflix has already taken the plunge and now Amazon has made its plans clear as well. Amazon Instant Video 4K streaming will arrive before the end of this year and that too at no additional charge to subscribers.
Even though Netflix was the first to arrive on the scene with 4K streaming it doesn’t offer a lot of Ultra HD content at this point in time. There’s one major difference, the company requires subscribers to pay $4 on top of their monthly $8 subscription plan if they want to stream content in 4K.
This is where Amazon is going to undercut Netflix. The company has announced that members of its $99 per year Prime service will not have to pay any additional charge for 4K streaming. However an update to the built-in Amazon Instant Video app on compatible 4K TVs will be required but it won’t cost subscribers a dime as well.
Amazon will start out with a modest amount of content as well. Its original shows, which include the likes of Alpha House, Mozart in the Jungle and Transparent, will be offered in 4K along with a live concert that features Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga. Additional movies and TV shows will be added over time.