Amazon has recently decided to shut down its Freevee streaming TV operation, effective in early August. Launched in 2019 as an ad-supported platform under IMDb, Freevee offered a range of free movies, TV shows, and original series. As part of this transition, all Freevee content has gone under the Prime Video umbrella. Today, you can only watch it on Amazon’s subscription-based streaming service.
Freevee positioned itself well as a free ad-supported streaming content alternative for viewers looking for ad-supported content. It focuses on home grown series and provides curated collections from the rest of the broader, Prime Video storefront. The service was app based first and foremost, which gave it access to a huge potential audience. Amazon’s move to sunset Freevee is part of a larger streamlining towards providing a more unified streaming platform specifically through Prime Video.
In a notice to users, Amazon confirmed that “Prime Video is the new exclusive home for Freevee TV shows, movies, and Live TV.” This latest step is in keeping with the company’s ambitious plan to simplify its site and overall improve user experience. Effective January 2024, Prime Video will begin serving advertisements. Subscribers will be able to continue to enjoy ad-free viewing at an additional subscription cost of only $2 per month.
Prime Video is included with your Amazon Prime subscription of $15 per month. This subscription includes many other perks and opportunities. Customers without an Amazon Prime membership can subscribe to Prime Video as a stand-alone service for $9 per month.
Wednesday’s transition away from Freevee is the latest sign that Amazon is trying to find its footing in the highly competitive streaming space. With its free AVOD model and original content, Freevee has been drawing an impressive amount of attention. It faces stiff competition from other established streaming platforms. By concentrating its efforts on Prime Video, Amazon is looking to offer a more streamlined and complete viewing experience.
“Deliver a simpler viewing experience for customers,” stated Deadline, emphasizing the company’s intent to streamline its offerings.
Evidently energized by these changes, Amazon sounded confident about its future in the streaming market. The company’s CEO was very “optimistic” in his tone about the new CEO’s ability to grow and adapt the company as the industry changes around them.