Oh, Amazon

Anyone else a frequent Amazonian? I am.

And now, guess who's hot on the heels of Netflix, nipping and ripping and tearing? Yeap, Amazon just stated today that it will be offering instant streaming with the subscription to AmazonPrime. So now, not only can you get two days shipping on everything for $79 a year (which can save you significantly per item if you order frequently) but you can now stream like Netflix. Let's break it down mathematically:

Current Netflix subscription for instant streaming and discs: $10.81/month = $129.72
Subscribing to Amazon Prime which can be shared with up to 4 others: $79/year ($15.80/person)
How much money I could be saving annually: $50.72 with the potential to save up to $113.92

There had been inklings in the news of Amazon merging with RedBox to offer this service. I'm not sure if that is what has happened and just isn't in the news that I've been perusing all day or if it's Amazon taking its low-cost, low-overhead game to the playoffs. Methinks if Netflix doesn't shape up, e.g. keep the discs option or really up the ante on what it offers via instant streaming, it will begin to see cracks in the foundation it has so solidly stood upon for years.

Too many of the shows and movies I wish to see are just not made available via instant streaming with Netflix. If AmazonPrime is going to give those to me and earn me free 2-day shipping, see you later, Netflix!