What Is Prime Video TVOD? The Amazon Service Explained
Even people who are well acquainted with Amazon Prime and Prime Video may be confused about what exactly Prime Video TVOD is. Amazon Prime Video is one of the major streaming applications, alongside Netflix, Hulu, Apple TV+, and the other notable platforms. Prime Video also has the benefit of being attached to a multinational technology company with total assets totaling more than many small countries. Basically, Prime Video can fund projects of virtually any size, funneling money to its shows and movies with amounts rivaling major blockbuster films.
With so many movies and TV shows offered on Amazon Prime Video, along with the benefits that come from an Amazon Prime subscription, Prime Video is one of the more "bang for your buck" streamers out there. The cost of a subscription is $14.99/month or $139.99/year and this subscription includes free delivery, exclusive deals, and, of course, the full library of Prime Video movies and TV shows. However, some less obvious charges come from Prime Video and users may wonder why there is a TVOD charge on their bill.
Prime Video's TVOD Stands For "Transactional Video-On-Demand"
Some Content On Prime Video Requires An Additional Purchase
Prime Video TVOD stands for "Transactional Video-On-Demand", and put simply, it means TV shows or movies a user has to purchase, whether they have a Prime subscription or not. While Prime Video does have a large library, there will always be content that costs an additional amount. Traditionally, newer movies fall into this category. These are often only available for rent or purchase and aren't a part of the content library. They appear alongside the normal, available content, but will ask users if they want to rent or purchase after they click the content.
How TVOD Is Different From A Prime Video Streaming Subscription
There Are Several Types Of Video-On-Demand Models
Most streaming users understand VOD, or Video-On-Demand, but the tech world loves to make initialisms and acronyms. So now there is TVOD. But there's also AVOD, SVOD, and even PVOD. AVOD is "Advertising-based Video-On-Demand", which is a streaming model where video platforms offer free access to their content libraries and generate revenue through advertisements. Free platforms like Tubi, The Roku Channel, Pluto TV, Plex, and Sling are all AVOD.
SVOD is "Subscription Video On Demand", which is what most people think of when they think of streaming, paying a subscription for unlimited (or only slightly limited) access to a streamer's content library. PVOD is "Premium Video-On-Demand" when digital retailers allow users to pay a premium to access premier titles at a higher cost. TVOD is a pay-per-view model, while PVOD is a subscription model that gives access to content normally purchased with TVOD. Prime Video operates on a combined PVOD and SVOD model.
How To Avoid Accidental TVOD Charges On Prime Video
Free Content Will Not Have An "Approve Purchase" Selection
While TVOD content is usually marked by a fairly obvious price tag next to the title, and they generally require a click through an "agree to purchase" screen, someone unfamiliar with the platform or simply going too quickly could easily make an accidental purchase. Kids' movies in particular are often TVOD and children can easily, accidentally make a purchase.
Free content will not have a dollar amount associated with it, so if there is any number next to a title, that indicates there's an extra cost.
The best way to ensure no accidental charges are incurred is by making sure there is no additional dollar amount next to the title. Free content will not have a dollar amount associated with it, so if there is any number next to a title, that indicates there's an extra cost. Amazon Support may also be helpful, but users should be sure to contact them immediately to avoid the Prime Video TVOD charge.
