Trial Run: How Close is Amazon to Becoming a Cable-Killer?

By David Tobia
November 16, 2012

The Verge writer Dan Seifert spent a few weeks simulating the life of a cord-cutter, ignoring cable television and other forms of entertainment while using Amazon as his only source of entertainment.
He concluded that while Amazon has an extensive array of entertainment options, the offerings are not enough to convince him to permanently switch from cable.
Furthermore, he said that the cost difference actually ends up not being very different from paying for a full slate of cable channels.
Amazon claims to offer 22 million books, movies, TV shows, songs, apps and games, but Seifert notes that options are often limited and Amazon does not offer live events (he missed watching sporting events and presidential debates).
Amazon offers free streaming video for its Prime customers, but “the movies and TV shows available or free to Prime members generally aren’t the latest and greatest blockbusters,” writes Seifert.
He adds that at $79.99 for a yearly subscription or $7.99 monthly Prime is not cheap, but does provide value for frequent Amazon customers.

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