Farewell to Freevee: Amazon to Mandate Viewing of Complimentary Content on Prime Video
Farewell to Freevee: Amazon to Mandate Viewing of Complimentary Content on Prime Video
Freevee wasn't destined for an early departure. This no-cost, channel-driven streaming service often felt like a relic from a past era, prior to tech corporations jacking up subscription fees to boost their profits. Amazon confirmed they would gradually shift Freevee's content onto Prime Video, a move which would still allow non-Prime members to access it, albeit labeled as "Watch for Free" content.
We didn't get much time to bid farewell. Deadline announced on Monday that Freevee's free, ad-supported streaming television (FAST) would be making the jump to Prime Video. This relocation should remain open to non-Prime viewers without charge, but expect it to be showcased within the "Watch for Free" category on every Amazon platform. Amazon claimed that Prime members' access to content would remain unchanged, but this doesn't mean all freely available streaming selections will persist for long.
The changes are expected over the next few weeks and will impact Freevee's availability worldwide, including in the US, UK, Germany, and Austria. An Amazon representative explained to Deadline that this shift would result in a more seamless user experience.
The spokesperson also mentioned that a significant portion of Freevee's content would continue to be accessible for non-Prime members, though not every title will make the transition. This will encompass originals from Amazon MGM Studios, along with licensed films and series. Moreover, a wide variety of Freevee's Fast Channels will still be accessible for non-Prime members through Prime Video.
To clarify further, Gizmodo requested information from Amazon on the ongoing availability of content. In their response, an Amazon Studios representative expressed:
"Although licensed content availability on streaming platforms changes every month, a substantial catalog of free streaming content will continue to be accessible for non-Prime members on Prime Video. For instance, new episodes of Judy Justice, Neighbours, Tribunal Justice, America’s Test Kitchen: The Next Generation, and Bosch: Legacy, as well as Freevee Originals like Jury Duty, High School, Hollywood Houselift with Jeff Lewis, Primo, and more, will remain available for both Prime members and non-Prime members to stream on Prime Video. Moreover, a selection of Freevee Originals, such as the inaugural season of The Summer I Turned Pretty, the first three seasons of The Boys, and the premiere episode of Fallout, are also accessible for non-Prime members to stream for no cost."
Launched in 2018 as IMDb Freedive, Freevee later transformed into its current name in 2022. It appealed to viewers by surviving during a period when many services, like Netflix, began to hike their pricing. Freevee boasted some original content, such as Bosch: Legacy and Jury Duty, but began to distribute free Prime Video content in 2021 to attract viewers to begin watching shows like The Tick and Paper Girls, potentially prompting upgrades to a paid subscription.
When it comes to FAST channels, Freevee offered quite the range. Some were specifically dedicated to Dungeons & Dragons content, while others housed British shows hard to find in North America. Freevee also had a selection of cult horror and sci-fi films that were challenging to uncover elsewhere.
Freevee was preferable to an Amazon Prime membership in numerous ways, especially because users were required to accept advertisements beginning in January of this year. Users had to pay an additional $3 per month if they wished to avoid ads. Later, Amazon revealed intentions of presenting even more advertising content through pause ads, carousel ads, and trivia ads.
Despite signs of change, the end of Freevee was more or less inevitable. In February, Adweek revealed that Amazon deliberated on punishing Freevee by sinking it to the bottom of a deep river. Since then, Amazon rebranded some of its FAST channels as Amazon Prime Video Channels for Fire TV.
Freevee's decline symbolizes the evolution of streaming services. This week, Netflix celebrated hitting 70 million subscribers to its advertising-based tier, which might not seem impressive when looking at their decision to retire the Basic subscription plan, forcing subscribers to upgrade to ad-supported accounts. Netflix once disdained advertising, but now embraces it enthusiastically. With little effort, it's possible to envision Amazon phasing out all free content on its platform eventually. After all, what's the point of having ad-supported and subscriber-based content separately when you can combine both to maximize profits?
The shift of Freevee's content to Prime Video indicates a future where tech corporations might merge free and paid streaming services to maximize profits. Despite this, a substantial portion of Freevee's content, including original shows like Bosch: Legacy and Jury Duty, will continue to be accessible for non-Prime members on Prime Video.