Contrary to a recent report in Adweek, Amazon has denied any plans to shut down Freevee, its ad-supported streaming application. The report, citing unnamed sources, suggested that Amazon was set to sunset the service in the coming months, redirecting its advertising focus to Prime Video, which introduced commercials to its base membership level in January.
Adweek anticipated this change before late April, coinciding with Amazon’s presentation of upcoming programming to advertisers at the NewFronts event.
However, Amazon refuted the report, stating that there are no changes to Freevee. An Amazon spokesperson emphasized the continued importance of Freevee as a streaming offering, providing a library of hit movies, shows, and originals for both Prime and non-Prime customers.
Freevee, previously known as IMDb TV, was acquired by Amazon in April 2022, leading to a rebranding. Positioned among the free ad-supported streaming television (FAST) services, Freevee competes with platforms like Sling TV’s Freestream, Fox’s Tubi, and Pluto TV. These services offer an alternative to escalating cable TV and streaming service costs, gaining popularity among users seeking free, ad-supported content.
Freevee has benefited from Amazon’s original programming and secured licensing agreements with major players like Disney Media and Entertainment. Despite a reduction in staff earlier this year as part of Amazon’s layoffs in the Prime Video and MGM Studios divisions, Freevee remains operational and a significant streaming option in Amazon’s portfolio.
