Amazon Merges Freevee into Prime Video
Amazon is officially integrating its ad-supported streaming service, Freevee, into Prime Video, ensuring that all of Freevee’s content will remain accessible for free to viewers who do not have a Prime subscription. This strategic decision was anticipated, especially after Amazon began incorporating advertisements into Prime Video earlier this year, which already features a range of free original programming and films.
Freevee, which launched in 2019 as IMDb TV, was developed as an extension of Amazon’s IMDb film site. Over the years, it produced several successful original shows that captured audiences, including the viral sensation Jury Duty, the acclaimed Bosch: Legacy, and the popular Judy Justice. Amazon has announced that Freevee will be phased out in the coming weeks, consolidating all content under the Prime Video umbrella.
With Prime Video already established as a dominant force in the streaming landscape, Amazon’s decision to unify its entertainment offerings is aimed at providing a more streamlined and user-friendly viewing experience for its customers, as stated by an Amazon spokesperson on Wednesday.
The ad-supported version of Prime Video is bundled with Amazon’s delivery service, priced at $14.99 per month or $139 annually. Additionally, there is an option for an ad-free experience at an extra cost of $2.99 per month, or viewers can opt for a stand-alone streaming subscription at $8.99 per month.
While Amazon typically refrains from disclosing specific viewing figures, Freevee had reportedly amassed approximately 65 million monthly active users in the United States during the first half of 2022. In contrast, Amazon Prime boasts a subscriber base of at least 180 million, according to Consumer Intelligence Research Partners.
Among Freevee’s standout offerings, Judy Justice, featuring the renowned Judge Judith Sheindlin, quickly ascended to the position of the service’s top original show following its 2021 launch. Viewers collectively streamed over 150 million hours of the show in its initial two years, as per Amazon’s metrics. Judge Sheindlin’s success paved the way for the development of additional spin-off shows on Freevee.
Another notable success story for Freevee was the unexpected hit Jury Duty, a unique hybrid of documentary and sitcom where an unsuspecting individual becomes part of a staged trial involving actors. After its debut in 2023, it quickly became Freevee’s most-watched series and garnered four Emmy nominations, including a nod for outstanding comedy series.
Bosch: Legacy, which debuted in 2022, is adapted from the popular police detective novels by Michael Connelly. The series received critical acclaim and was even recognized as a New York Times Critic’s Pick, with reviewer Mike Hale praising its intricately woven storylines and genuine approach.
In the broader streaming landscape, other free, ad-supported platforms like Pluto TV, Tubi, and Roku Channel have seen significant growth. As many subscription-based services have increased their prices, viewers are increasingly gravitating toward these free options in search of cost savings, nostalgia, or even just for the sheer enjoyment of ‘so-bad-it’s-good’ films.
According to Antenna, a subscription research firm, there are currently at least 170 million ad-supported subscriptions in the United States, a dramatic increase from at least 93 million at the end of the previous year.
