Amazon Shuts Down Freevee, Integrates Content

Amazon has announced the shutdown of Freevee, its free ad-supported streaming service, with content being integrated into Prime Video over the coming weeks. Originally launched as IMDb Freedive in 2019 and rebranded most recently in April 2022, Freevee will be phased out, but non-Prime members will still have access to its content for free under a 'Watch for Free' label on Prime Video. This strategic move aims to streamline Amazon's streaming services by offering a single ad-supported service instead of two. While the shutdown of Freevee is not expected to impact content availability for Prime members, speculation has arisen about potential layoffs within Amazon's entertainment divisions as part of broader cost-cutting measures. The decision follows Amazon's introduction of an ad tier for Prime Video earlier in the year, which may have contributed to the confusion between the two services and the eventual decision to consolidate.