Amazon is shutting down its free, ad-supported video streaming service Freevee, a spokesperson confirmed on Wednesday.
Freevee’s library of content, including hit show Jury Duty, has migrated to Prime Video, where much is expected to stay in front of its paywall so that non-Prime customers can still access content. The phasing out, which is expected to take place over the next several weeks, is a consolidation of Amazon’s video efforts.
“To deliver a simpler viewing experience for customers, we have decided to phase out Freevee branding,” an Amazon spokesperson tells Fast Company. “There will be no change to the content available for Prime members; and a vast offering of free streaming content will still be accessible for non-Prime members, including select Originals from Amazon MGM Studios, a variety of licensed movies and series, and a broad library of FAST (free ad-supported streaming TV) channels—all available on Prime Video.”
Amazon launched what is now known as Freevee in 2019 as a spinoff of its movie-rating site IMDb. Some people estimated that Amazon would cut Freevee after Prime Video introduced ads earlier this year. Freevee hosted a number of older movies and TV shows, while also creating original content like the Emmy-nominated Jury Duty and crime drama Bosch: Legacy. Amazon last said in 2022 that its monthly active user base hit 65 million, according to Deadline.
Deadline, which first reported the news, said no layoffs related to sunsetting the platform are expected.
“We have built Prime Video into a first-stop entertainment destination where customers can personalize their viewing experience by streaming exclusive Prime member entertainment produced by Amazon MGM Studios, licensed movies and series, content from other services as an add-on subscription, live sports, blockbuster movies and series to rent or buy, FAST channels and the complete Amazon Freevee content offering,” the spokesperson adds.