Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN) is closing the chapter on Freevee, its standalone free, ad-supported streaming service, in August 2025. The move is part of a broader shift to bring all of Amazon’s video content, both paid and free, under the Prime Video umbrella. For viewers, this means that Freevee’s library of shows, movies, and live TV will soon be available exclusively through Prime Video, even for those who do not subscribe to Amazon Prime.
Freevee launched in 2019, originally branded under IMDb, the film and TV database Amazon acquired back in 1998. It was Amazon’s answer to the growing demand for free, ad-supported streaming, offering a mix of original series and select Prime Video content through its own app. Over the years, Freevee built a loyal user base looking for no-cost entertainment, but the overlap with Prime Video’s own offerings became increasingly apparent.
The decision to shutter Freevee is not a sudden one. Amazon first announced its intention to phase out the service in late 2024, citing a desire to simplify the streaming experience for users and reduce confusion between its brands. For many, the distinction between Freevee and Prime Video, especially as Prime Video began offering more free, ad-supported content, became murky.
Amazon has notified Freevee users that the app will stop working in August but reassured them that the same content will remain accessible on Prime Video, without requiring a Prime membership. An in-app notice summed it up: “Prime Video is the new exclusive home for Freevee TV shows, movies and Live TV”.
Amazon’s move echoes a broader trend in the streaming industry. As competition heats up and the number of platforms multiplies, major players are looking to consolidate their offerings. The days of launching new, standalone apps for every niche audience appear to be waning. Instead, companies are focusing on building comprehensive platforms that house both premium and free content, aiming to keep users engaged in a single ecosystem.
For Amazon, the integration of Freevee’s content into Prime Video is a strategic play to make content discovery easier and potentially nudge free viewers toward paid subscriptions. Prime Video, which can be accessed as part of a $15 monthly Prime membership or as a $9 standalone service (with an additional $2 to remove ads), now becomes the one-stop shop for all of Amazon’s streaming content.
If you’ve been using Freevee for its free originals or library of movies and shows, you’ll still be able to watch them for free on Prime Video after August. Amazon says the selection of ad-supported movies, series, and live TV channels will remain robust, and non-Prime members will continue to have access to a wide range of content at no cost.
Amazon’s representatives have emphasized that the goal is to create a simpler, more unified experience. With Freevee’s closure, there’s less brand confusion and redundancy, and users can expect the same content, just with a new home screen.
The closure of Freevee marks the end of a relatively brief experiment in standalone, free streaming for Amazon, but it’s unlikely to leave viewers in the lurch. Instead, it signals Amazon’s commitment to building Prime Video into a comprehensive entertainment destination, offering everything from exclusive originals and live sports to free, ad-supported programming, all in one place.
As the streaming landscape continues to evolve, the focus is shifting from the proliferation of apps to the integration of services. For Amazon, bringing Freevee under the Prime Video roof is a logical next step in that direction.
