Amazon Freevee is being shut down, and it's all thanks to Prime Video's increasingly popular ad-supported tier

A TV with the Amazon Freevee menu displayed
Amazon Freevee content will be available on Prime Video instead. (Image credit: Unsplash)

  • Amazon Freevee to be phased out in coming weeks
  • Freevee content is available on Prime Video instead
  • Prime Video's successful ads rollout picks up pace

Amazon Freevee is officially being shut down as the company looks to simplify its streaming offerings by making Prime Video a one-stop shop, according to Deadline.

The free streaming service will be phased out over the coming weeks in the US, UK, Germany and Austria, but you'll still be able to find Amazon Freevee content on Prime Video, including flagship series like Jury Duty, Bosch: Legacy and Judy Justice. These titles will be identifiable by the label 'Watch for Free' in the Prime Video app.

Amazon had already begun shifting Freevee Originals to Prime Video way before it introduced ads earlier this year and had given us more signs of the upcoming shift when it announced that the third and final season of Bosch: Legacy would be shared across Freevee and Prime Video in September.

Opinion: It was inevitable that Amazon would shutter its free streaming service

Despite being one of the best free streaming services, there has been talk of Amazon Freevee closing ever since the launch of an ad-supported tier on Prime Video at the end of January earlier this year, which many considered at the time wasn't necessary.

Amazon denied rumors of Freevee closing at the time, but a lot of us were unconvinced, mainly because the introduction of an ad-supported plan meant there was no real point of difference between Prime Video and its free streaming offering. After all, the overlap between content meant you didn't have to leave Prime Video to find Freevee titles.

The rollout of the ad-tier had been viewed as controversial as many subscribers had been frustrated at the fact that Prime Video was inserting ads unless you paid more – essentially forcing you to spend an extra $2.99 in the US and £2.99 in the UK if you wanted to go ad-free.

Titus Welliver and the cast of Bosch: Legacy

Bosch: Legacy is one of Amazon Frevee's flagship Originals. (Image credit: Amazon)

But it turns out that the new ad-tier didn't dent subscriber numbers as much as people initially thought it would. In fact, because people didn't complain enough, Prime Video is expected to be filled with even more ads in 2025, with plans to introduce three new types of adverts to the service, including carousel ads, pause ads and trivia ads – and your Fire TV will not be spared.

Amazon has since doubled down on its advertising efforts, following the successful launch of its new plan – UK ratings body Barb found that 86% of homes are now signed up to its ad-tier – and we can only expect more growth to occur as Amazon Freevee users migrate to Prime Video.

Amazon Freevee had been voted as the best free streaming service by readers at the TechRadar Choice Awards 2024, so it's likely to see a bump in activity in upcoming months. As the new home for Amazon Freevee content, including select Amazon MGM Studios Originals, licensed movies and series alongside over 450 FAST channels in the US, Prime Video has even more reasons why it's the best streaming service for movies.

You might also like

Amelia Schwanke
Senior Editor UK, Home Entertainment

Amelia became the Senior Editor for Home Entertainment at TechRadar in the UK in April 2023. With a background of more than eight years in tech and finance publishing, she's now leading our coverage to bring you a fresh perspective on everything to do with TV and audio. When she's not tinkering with the latest gadgets and gizmos in the ever-evolving world of home entertainment, you’ll find her watching movies, taking pictures and travelling.

Read more
An iPad with apps on it
Best free streaming service in 2025: Tubi, Pluto TV, The Roku Channel and more
a google TV
Google TV just lost some more of its free streaming channels, but it's not all bad news
Two phones side-by-side showing the apps for Disney Plus and Prime Video
Disney Plus vs Prime Video: which streaming service should you choose?
Google TV homescreen with Quick Access row
Google TV carries out a major cull of its free channels – and it's bad news for Bob Ross fans
A remote with Netflix, Disney Plus and Amazon Prime Video and other streaming services running as buttons.
Best streaming service 2025: Netflix, Hulu, Apple TV Plus, Prime Video, and more compared
Amazon Prime Video promo image with the logo and tv shows and movie titles down the right hand side.
How to log out of Prime Video on your TV
Latest in Amazon Prime Video
David running in the desert in House of David.
Prime Video’s hit new historical drama will continue its reign for another season as House of David gets renewed
Elayne, Egwene, and Nynaeve dressed regally and on horseback in The Wheel of Time season 3
The Wheel of Time season 3 is Prime Video's #2 show – here are 3 more fantasy series with over 85% on Rotten Tomatoes
Dan Burn holds up the Carabao Cup trophy at the 2025 final
I'm rewatching We Are Newcastle United on Prime Video after my club's exhilarating Carabao Cup win
Disappointed by The Electric State? Here's 4 reasons you should watch Tales From the Loop on Prime Video
Reacher looking down at another character from the Prime Video TV series Reacher
Reacher season 3 becomes Prime Video’s biggest returning show thanks to Hollywood’s biggest heavyweight
Anora sitting on Ivan's lap in a casino in her self-titled film, one of the best new Hulu movies in March 2025
5 new Prime Video movies with over 90% on Rotten Tomatoes I think you should stream in March
Latest in News
Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses
Samsung's rumored smart specs may be launching before the end of 2025
Apple iPhone 16 Review
The latest iPhone 18 leak hints at a major chipset upgrade for all four models
Quordle on a smartphone held in a hand
Quordle hints and answers for Monday, March 24 (game #1155)
NYT Strands homescreen on a mobile phone screen, on a light blue background
NYT Strands hints and answers for Monday, March 24 (game #386)
NYT Connections homescreen on a phone, on a purple background
NYT Connections hints and answers for Monday, March 24 (game #652)
Quordle on a smartphone held in a hand
Quordle hints and answers for Sunday, March 23 (game #1154)