Amazon pulls the plug on popular free service
Amazon Prime Day has people getting ready to hit up the mega-online merchant for deals. But even as click and buy frenzy is underway, Amazon is shutting down one of its free services.
Amazon will sunset its standalone Freevee app next month, CNBC reported. The service was launched in 2019 as part of IMDb, the film and TV site Amazon purchased in 1998, and included free videos, original programming and some Prime Video content offered via an app.
The Freevee app will shut down in August but users will still be able to access Amazon’s free content with a Prime account.
“There will be no change to the content available for Prime members, and a vast offering of free streaming content will still be accessible for non-Prime members, including select Originals from Amazon MGM Studios, a variety of licensed movies and series, and a broad library of FAST Channels – all available on Prime Video,” a representative said.
Amazon first announced plans to shutter the app in late 2024, emphasizing the use of Prime Video as a “first-stop entertainment destination.”
In Freevee markets, non-Prime users will be able to access the content on Prime Video material labeled “Watch for Free.” According to Variety, Freevee’s content includes Emmy-nominated reality comedy show “Jury Duty;” crime drama “Bosch: Legacy;” Australian soap “Neighbours“; “Alex Rider” Season 2; “Leverage: Redemption”; and “Judy Justice” featuring Judge Judy Sheindlin.
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