You’re Ready for the Full Prime Video Experience
You’ve settled in for movie night, popcorn in hand, only to find the film you want is locked behind a “Premium” label. Or maybe you’ve heard friends talk about exclusive channels like Max, STARZ, or Paramount+ being available right inside Prime Video, and you’re wondering how to get them. The upgrade from your standard Prime Video access to a premium tier or add-on channel is a common next step, but the process isn’t always obvious.
This guide cuts through the confusion. We’ll walk you through exactly how to upgrade Prime Video to premium, whether you’re looking to unlock premium rental movies, subscribe to a full channel like MGM+, or understand the difference between all the available tiers. By the end, you’ll know how to access everything Prime Video has to offer.
Understanding What “Premium” Means on Prime Video
First, it’s crucial to clarify the terminology. “Prime Video” itself is a service with multiple layers. “Upgrading to premium” can refer to a few distinct actions, and knowing which one applies to you is the first step.
Prime Video Subscriptions: The Foundation
Your starting point is your base subscription. This is typically one of two things: a standalone Prime Video membership, or access to Prime Video as part of an Amazon Prime membership. Both give you unlimited streaming of the “included with Prime” catalog—thousands of movies and TV shows at no extra cost.
However, a vast portion of Prime Video’s library consists of content that is not included. This is where “premium” comes in. It generally falls into three categories:
- Premium Channel Subscriptions: These are add-ons like Max, Paramount+ with SHOWTIME, MGM+, STARZ, and more. You pay a monthly fee on top of your Prime membership to get full access to that channel’s entire library directly within the Prime Video app.
- Premium Rental or Purchase: New release movies and some older titles are available to rent or buy individually. They are often marked as “Premium” rental. This is a one-time transaction, not a subscription.
- Ad-Free Tier Upgrade: In late 2024, Amazon introduced a new tier structure. The standard Prime Video experience now includes limited ads. You can pay an extra monthly fee to upgrade to an ad-free experience.
For most people searching “how to upgrade,” they are looking for either channel subscriptions or the ad-free upgrade. The process for each is similar but occurs in different parts of your account.
How to Subscribe to a Premium Channel
Adding a channel like Max or STARZ is the most common upgrade path. Here is the exact step-by-step process from any device.
From a Web Browser on Your Computer
This method gives you the clearest view of your account management options.
1. Go to Amazon.com and sign in to the account linked to your Prime Video access.
2. Hover over “Accounts & Lists” in the top-right corner and click on “Your Account.”
3. In the “Digital content and devices” section, click on “Your Memberships and Subscriptions.”
4. Look for the section titled “Video Subscriptions” or “Channel Subscriptions.” Here, you will see “Prime Video Channels.” Click on “Manage subscriptions.”
5. You will be taken to a page showing all available channels. Browse or search for the channel you want (e.g., “MGM+”).
6. Click on the channel tile. You’ll see its monthly price and a description. Click the yellow “Subscribe” button.
7. Review the charge details. The subscription will be added to your default payment method and will auto-renew each month until you cancel. Click “Confirm” or “Complete Subscription.”
The channel is now active. You can access its content immediately by going back to the Prime Video homepage and looking for the channel’s dedicated row or by searching within the Prime Video app.
From the Prime Video App on Your TV or Mobile Device
The process is very similar within the app interface.
1. Open the Prime Video app on your smart TV, Fire TV, game console, or mobile device.
2. Navigate to the “Store” tab. On many devices, this is represented by a shopping bag icon. On others, you may find it under “Channels” in the main menu.
3. Browse the available channels. Select the premium channel you wish to add.
4. You will see a details page with a “Subscribe” or “Start Free Trial” button. Select it.
5. You will be prompted to confirm your Amazon account password and payment method. Once confirmed, the subscription is active.
A key advantage of subscribing through Prime Video Channels is unified billing. You get one monthly charge from Amazon for all your channels, and you use one app (Prime Video) to watch everything. No need for separate apps or logins, though many channels also offer the option to use their standalone app with your Prime Video credentials.
Upgrading to the Ad-Free Tier
If ads during your movies and shows are the problem you want to solve, here’s how to upgrade to the premium, ad-free version of Prime Video.
1. Go to Amazon.com and sign in. Navigate to “Your Account” > “Your Memberships and Subscriptions.”
2. Find your “Prime Video” membership. Click on “Manage membership.”
3. On the Prime Video management page, you should see an option regarding the ad-free experience. It may be labeled “Ad-free” or “Go ad-free.”
4. Click on the option to change your plan. You will see a comparison between the standard (with ads) and premium (ad-free) tiers, along with the additional monthly cost.
5. Select the ad-free option and follow the prompts to confirm the change to your subscription. The upgrade fee will be prorated and added to your next billing cycle.
Important Note: The ad-free upgrade applies only to the “included with Prime” content and live events. It does not remove ads from content sourced from premium channels you subscribe to (like Freevee) or from rented/purchased movies. Channels have their own ad policies.
Renting or Buying Premium Movies
Sometimes, “premium” just means a specific new release movie. You don’t need a subscription upgrade for this; it’s a simple transaction.
1. Find the movie you want on Prime Video. It will have a price button (e.g., “Rent $5.99” or “Buy $19.99”) instead of a “Watch Now” button.
2. Select the price button. You may be given a choice between rental (typically 48-hour viewing window) and purchase (own forever in your Amazon library).
3. Confirm your purchase using your Amazon account’s 1-Click payment settings. The movie will immediately be available in your “Purchases & Rentals” library.
This is not a recurring charge. You pay once and access the title as described. This is ideal for when you want to watch a single new release without committing to a full channel subscription.
Troubleshooting Common Upgrade Issues
Even with clear steps, you might hit a snag. Here are solutions to the most frequent problems.
The “Subscribe” Button is Grayed Out or Missing
This usually means your base Prime Video membership is not active. Verify that your Amazon Prime or standalone Prime Video subscription is current and not paused. Go to “Your Memberships and Subscriptions” to check its status. You cannot add channels without an active base membership.
You’re Being Charged but Can’t Access the Channel
First, refresh the app. Fully close and restart the Prime Video app on your device. If that doesn’t work, go to the “Channel Subscriptions” management page online and ensure the channel shows as “Active.” Sometimes, there is a short propagation delay. If it’s been over 15 minutes, contact Amazon Customer Service for support.
Wanting to Manage or Cancel a Premium Subscription
You have full control. To cancel or change a channel subscription, go back to “Your Memberships and Subscriptions” > “Prime Video Channels” > “Manage subscriptions.” Find the channel and select “Cancel Channel.” You will continue to have access until the end of the current billing period. This is also where you can turn off auto-renewal for a rental subscription if you signed up for a free trial.
Device Compatibility and Location Errors
Premium channels and specific movie rentals are subject to regional licensing. If you are traveling outside your home country, your available channels and upgrade options may change. Ensure your Amazon account’s country settings match your current location if you have recently moved. Some older smart TV models may also have a slightly different menu structure; using a web browser to manage subscriptions is often the most reliable method.
Making the Right Choice for Your Viewing Habits
Before you click subscribe, consider what you actually watch. Upgrading Prime Video should solve a specific need.
If you watch multiple shows on a specific network like STARZ, the channel subscription is a great value. If you just hate interruptions, the ad-free upgrade is worth it. If you only want one or two new movies a month, renting might be the most cost-effective.
Take advantage of free trials. Most premium channels offer a 7-day free trial. Use this to test the content library before the monthly charge kicks in. You can cancel immediately after subscribing and still enjoy the full trial period.
Your Next Steps to a Premium Library
Upgrading your Prime Video experience is a straightforward process designed to be done in minutes. Identify which type of premium content you want: a full channel, an ad-free experience, or a single movie rental. Then, use your Amazon account management page or the Prime Video app Store tab to complete the transaction.
Start by checking your current subscriptions to see what you already have. Then, browse the “Channels” section to explore what’s available. With your upgrade in place, your next movie night will have everything you want, ready to stream without any surprises.
