Amazon Gives Instant Streaming Options To Prime Members

Move over Netflix and Hulu. Amazon has cannonballed into the world of instant streaming, and their unconventional dive might just be crazy enough to make a splash. For awhile now, the company has offered a Prime Membership that allows for, among other things, free two day shipping, but now they've added commercial-free streaming of more than five thousand movies, documentaries and television shows, all without fee increases. It's still seventy-nine dollars a year to join today, just as it was yesterday, and though the company hasn't made any promises, it's safe to assume this rate will stay at least for the near future.

As for the specifics of what's available, Amazon's press release includes the likes of Syriana, Amadeus, Food INC, the British version of The Office and The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo trilogy. That leaves some four thousand nine hundred and ninety odd titles to be riffled through and discovered after you shell out the eighty bucks. If that's too steep a price for you though, I'd advise not telling your children. If those little bastards get wind they can watch Arthur and Misters Rogers on the computer, you'll never hear the end of it.

Let's be honest: this move won't be the end of Netflix. The video rental giant is still growing like a sexy Swedish woman, but at least consumers are starting to get more options. Click on over to Amazon's front page for more details.