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Yes—Amazon added ads to Prime Video in the U.S. on January 29, 2024. The original option to avoid them cost an extra $2.99 per month, but that is no longer the current price: Amazon now calls its U.S. ad-free upgrade Prime Video Ultra, priced at $4.99 monthly as of March 13, 2026. Ads remain the default for eligible movies and shows, and some live events and other content may still show ads even with Ultra.
What Amazon changed in 2024
Amazon announced in September 2023 that it would introduce “limited advertisements” in Prime Video movies and shows. The U.S. rollout began January 29, 2024. The change did not make Prime Video a separate mandatory subscription: it remained a benefit included with Amazon Prime, while ads became the default for eligible programming. Amazon said the base Prime price would not change as part of the 2024 rollout. Amazon’s announcement and Amazon Ads’ rollout details document the announcement and dates.
That distinction matters when describing the price change. Prime’s headline membership fee stayed the same in 2024, but members who wanted to preserve an ad-free experience for eligible shows and movies had to pay an additional fee. Amazon described the advertising load as lower than linear TV and other streaming services; that is the company’s characterization, not a universal measurement of how many minutes of ads a viewer will see. The amount and placement can vary by content.
What the original $2.99 covered
The $2.99 monthly charge was an optional U.S. add-on for ad-free viewing of eligible Prime Video movies and series. It was separate from the Prime membership fee. Members could decline the add-on, keep their existing Prime membership, and continue watching with ads. At the original rate, the add-on came to $35.88 over 12 months, before the cost of Prime.
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- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
- Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
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The price was specific to the U.S. announcement; Amazon said it would provide country-specific pricing for other markets. The rollout was staged internationally, so neither the U.S. launch date nor the U.S. price should be assumed to apply everywhere. Amazon Ads listed the U.K., Germany, Austria, and Canada among markets slated for the next rollout phase on February 5, 2024.
What Prime Video ad-free viewing costs now
On March 13, 2026, Amazon renamed its U.S. ad-free option Prime Video Ultra and set the monthly price at $4.99. Amazon also lists a $45.99 annual Ultra option for eligible customers with annual Prime memberships. These are add-on prices; they do not include Prime itself. Amazon’s current U.S. Prime prices are $14.99 per month or $139 per year.
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- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
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- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
| U.S. configuration | Cost | What the figure represents |
|---|---|---|
| Prime, billed monthly | $14.99/month | $179.88 if maintained for 12 months |
| Prime, billed annually | $139/year | Annual Prime membership |
| Prime monthly + Ultra monthly | $19.98/month | $239.76 if both are maintained for 12 months |
| Prime annual + Ultra monthly | $198.88/year | $139 Prime plus 12 months of Ultra at $4.99 |
| Prime annual + annual Ultra | $184.99/year | $139 Prime plus the listed $45.99 annual Ultra option |
The totals are arithmetic based on Amazon’s listed U.S. prices and assume eligibility and no price changes during the period. The annual Ultra option is not necessarily available with every billing setup; check the offer shown on the account before choosing it. Compared with paying $4.99 monthly for a full year ($59.88), the listed $45.99 annual option is $13.89 less for Ultra.
For historical context, the original $2.99 monthly add-on would have cost $35.88 over a year. It is a 2024 launch price, not the current U.S. Ultra rate.
Rank #3
- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
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- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
What Ultra removes—and what it may not
Ultra is intended to remove ads from eligible Prime Video programming, not every item accessible through the Prime Video app. Amazon says live TV and events, including sports, and other selected ad-supported content and subscriptions may still include advertising. Channels and third-party subscriptions can have their own policies. Free ad-supported channels are a separate part of the service. Do not assume a rental or purchase follows the same rules as Prime-included programming.
| Content type | What to expect with Ultra |
|---|---|
| Eligible Prime Video movies and series | Ad-free viewing |
| Live sports, live TV, and other events | Ads may remain |
| Selected ad-supported programming or subscriptions | Ads may remain; terms depend on the content or provider |
| Third-party channels or subscriptions | Advertising and access depend on that provider |
| Free ad-supported channels | Ads are part of the offering |
| Purchased or rented titles | Do not assume the Prime-included ad-free policy applies; check the title’s terms |
Amazon says the catalog of Prime Video originals and other included programming is the same with or without Ultra; Ultra is an upgrade to viewing features rather than a separate library. Availability still varies by country, licensing rights, title, and subscription. The app also offers content beyond the Prime-included catalog, including additional subscriptions and free ad-supported channels. Amazon’s Prime Video overview describes those different content sources.
Rank #4
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- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
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- Broad Compatible: The usb c to usb adapter widely supports all USB C/ USB A devices like laptops, tablets, cellphones, car chargers, and phone chargers. Such as compatible with MacBook Pro/Air 2023/2022, Thunderbolt 4/3 Devices,Apple MagSafe Watch 9/8/7/SE/Ultra, iPad Pro 2022/2021, Samsung Galaxy S23/S20/S10, and iPhone 17/16/15 Pro. Plug and play
- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
Ultra’s additional features
Amazon’s March 2026 announcement positions Ultra as more than the renamed ad-free add-on. It includes up to five concurrent streams, up to 100 downloads, and access to 4K/UHD streaming, along with Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision for supported content and equipment. The ordinary Prime Video benefit includes HD and HDR formats; Amazon’s announcement also lists Dolby Vision, subject to compatibility. No format is guaranteed for every title: resolution and sound or picture features depend on the program, device, and internet connection. Stream and download limits can also have title-, device-, or provider-specific restrictions.
How to decide whether Ultra is worth it
- Consider it if you watch eligible Prime Video movies and series often, find interruptions disruptive, or want Ultra’s supported 4K/UHD and expanded stream or download limits.
- It may not be worthwhile if you rarely use Prime Video, are content with the ad-supported experience, or mainly watch live sports and events where ads may still appear.
- Check your equipment and viewing habits. 4K and advanced audio/video features require compatible titles and devices; the upgrade brings little benefit if your setup cannot use them.
- Judge Prime separately. If delivery and other Prime benefits already justify the membership, compare Ultra’s surcharge against how much you value the video upgrade. If you only want occasional streaming, the full Prime bundle may not fit your needs.
What the headline gets right—and what it leaves out
“Amazon adding ads to Prime Video in 2024 unless you pay $2.99 extra” accurately captured the original U.S. change, but it is now incomplete without dates. Ads began January 29, 2024; $2.99 was the original optional monthly price for eligible ad-free viewing. The base Prime price did not rise as part of that rollout, and Prime Video remained included with Prime. The current U.S. ad-free upgrade is Prime Video Ultra at $4.99 monthly, with some advertising exceptions still in place.
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- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
