Amazon issues update on the future of its free streaming app after ‘shutdown’ report

AMAZON has denied reports that its free streaming service Freevee is being shut down.

The online retailer and tech giant’s free Amazon Prime Video alternative is home to a number of big shows, including Aussie soap Neighbours.

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Amazon offered a new home for the long-running show, months after it was axed by Channel 5.

But fans feared they would face another blow if Freevee kept quiet.

Sources said AdWeek that Amazon planned to discontinue the service after introducing advertising on its paid Amazon Prime Video site.

But an Amazon spokesperson told The Sun that the report is incorrect.

“There are no changes to Freevee,” they said.

“Amazon Freevee remains a premier streaming offering, providing Prime and non-Prime customers with thousands of popular movies, shows and Originals, all for free.”

Neighborhood fans breathed a sigh of relief after the announcement.

“I was really worried about Amazon’s freevee. I like watching the neighbors,” wrote one viewer on X, formerly known as Twitter.

“Well, that’s good news for the neighbors,” said another.

Amazon signed a deal last year to bring Neighbors back, with new episodes starting in September.

It is believed that the company has signed a deal with production company Freemantle to produce the soap for two years with more than 200 episodes.

New episodes are added to the service Monday through Thursday.

Streaming Overload: Should Freevee Go?

Analysis by Jamie Harris, Senior Technology and Science Reporter at The Sun

Freevee didn’t hit the scene until 2022, though it started out as IMDB TV in 2019.

So hearing a report that it was “sunset” quickly came as a bit of a shock, although this happens all too often at big tech companies (just look at the Google graveyard…)

In December I saw a huge takeover of billboards at London Waterloo station advertising Neighbors and Freevee. It was a pleasant surprise to see the soap gain such wide exposure, and it seemed like Amazon is still very committed to Freevee as a standalone product.

Having a free streaming platform supported by ads makes sense as people tighten their belts.

But with the introduction of ads on Amazon Prime Video, the two services are better aligned than ever.

You can even access Freevee through the Amazon Prime Video app and website.

Mergers are the “in thing” among streamers right now, both paid and free, which tends to wipe out the weaker brand.

Forgotten BritBox UK has merged with ITVX and Channel 5’s streaming service plans to combine with free-to-air platform Pluto TV soon.

Across the pond, there is talk of combining Warner and Paramount, and then bundling Paramount+ and Peacock.

Freevee lives on – at least for now.