Reasons Behind Amazon Prime’s Decision to Shut Down Freevee

Amazon’s Freevee, a streaming service that allowed viewers to enjoy movies and TV shows for free with ads, is set to be discontinued soon. This decision raises questions about how it will impact existing Prime Video users and the platforms available for streaming content.

If you’ve ever found yourself browsing Prime Video late at night and unexpectedly stumbled upon captivating new series, there’s a good chance Freevee was behind it. Launched back in 2019 as IMDb Freedive, Freevee offered a blend of original programming, including popular titles like Bosch: Legacy and reality shows such as Judy Justice, reminiscent of the classic Judge Judy format.

The Rationale Behind Freevee’s Closure

Amazon has cited a desire to streamline their customer service experience as the primary reason for eliminating Freevee. According to a spokesperson, the company aims to “deliver a simpler viewing experience for customers,”leading to plans for discontinuing the Freevee branding in the coming weeks.

A still from Freevee's Bosch: Legacy — *Bosch: Legacy* on Freevee

Speculation regarding Freevee’s demise first emerged in February 2024, although Amazon initially dismissed these claims. However, by November, the company confirmed the shutdown. Notably, Freevee underwent a rebranding from IMDb TV in 2022 to better clarify its identity.

The introduction of an ad-supported tier for Prime Video in January 2024 provided an additional incentive to discontinue Freevee. With Prime offering a similar experience, maintaining both services appeared redundant.

Impact on Prime Video Subscribers

For current Prime Video subscribers, the transition promises minimal disruption. Existing content will remain unaffected, and users may only observe a change in branding.

The cast of Judy Justice — The cast of *Judy Justice*

Amazon reassured users that all content accessible through Freevee will be available under the “Watch for Free”label for non-Prime members. This includes a diverse selection of original titles from Amazon MGM Studios and a wide array of licensed movies and series, as well as numerous FAST channels—all included as part of the Prime subscription.

Importantly, users will not incur any additional costs for accessing this content, making it more streamlined than ever before. So as Freevee phases out, the benefits continue for regular Prime Video subscribers.

Stay tuned for exciting new movie releases and highly anticipated TV shows, including captivating true crime documentaries premiering this month.

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