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Amazon has taken another leap in the streaming world with the debut of its Fire TV Channels app. The announcement, made on Monday, promises Fire TV customers a plethora of over 400 free ad-supported TV (FAST) channels. The lineup includes a mix of news, sports, and lifestyle channels, with names like ABC News, CBS Sports, Fox Sports, MLB, and Martha Stewart gracing the list.
But the company isn’t stopping there. Along with the launch of the app, Amazon revealed partnerships with new content providers. The list reads like a who’s who of the entertainment and gaming industry, with Variety, Rolling Stone, The Hollywood Reporter, Billboard, GameSpot, Looper, and Funny or Die among the contributors. Amazon has made it clear that this is just the beginning, with plans to continue expanding its FAST channel offerings. Fire TV Channels, first introduced in May, are accessible on Fire TV-branded smart TVs and streaming devices. The new app serves as a one-stop-shop for users to easily access a vast array of live and on-demand titles.
Whether you’re a sports enthusiast, a news junkie, an entertainment lover, a culinary aficionado, or a gaming fan, there’s something for everyone. To find the Fire TV Channels app, customers can navigate to the “Your Apps and Channels” section, click on the Free icon in the navigation bar, or look for labeled content rows within the Fire TV user interface. For those who prefer voice commands, simply ask Alexa to “Play Fire TV Channels.”
The best part? No downloads are required to watch FAST channels on Fire TV. Amazon’s move comes as FAST offerings are gaining traction among cord-cutters seeking alternatives to paid streaming. The company is doubling down on its efforts in this space, with the Fire TV Channels app joining the ranks of Freevee, Amazon’s free streaming service. Freevee has seen impressive growth, with viewership surging by 11% year-over-year in the first half of 2023, outpacing competitors like Pluto TV, Tubi, the Roku Channel, and Crackle, according to Samba TV. In a recent announcement, Amazon also revealed plans to roll out hundreds of Amazon Original series on Freevee. Additionally, viewers can expect 23 new FAST channels from Warner Bros. Discovery and MGM. It’s clear that Amazon is pulling out all the stops to make its mark in the streaming landscape. amazon.com
