Amazon inches toward a la carte TV
Amazon Fire TV just got a major upgrade to its Live TV channel guide.
Subscribers to Sling TV, YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV will now be able to integrate live TV channels into a single guide with other streaming services.
“This update makes it easier to browse live TV channels across different apps in the Fire TV experience,” the company announced in a blog post. “It also offers a single destination to discover live content within the Live tab, so that you can check out what’s on now from nearly 20 integrated live TV apps and providers.”
Amazon has been building out its integrated channel guide for more than a year.
With Fire TV Edition televisions, or a Fire TV Recast people can also add free, local over-the-air channels. So with a TV antenna, local NBC, CBS, ABC, FOX and PBS stations can appear alongside channels from streaming services.
The Live TV guide already supported Philo, the live TV service that carries 60 entertainment channels. Live feeds from Amazon Channels such as HBO appear in the guide.
What it means for cord cutters
Today’s announcement marks a significant upgrade for cord cutters. And it may hint toward Amazon’s ambitions for delivering its own “hassle-free” live TV service in the near future.
The integrated menu inches toward an a la carte system.
I recently made a video where I integrated free over-the-air channels from a TV antenna/Fire TV Recast, Philo subscription ($20 per month), Pluto TV (free) and HBO from Amazon channels ($15 per month).
That package gave me more than 200 channels for $35 per month. The majority of the channel lineup was free. And I could drop one or more of the paid streaming services whenever I want.
Two weeks ago, Protocol reported that Amazon is working on creating its own live TV service. One job listing that outlined Amazon’s goals was to create a “hassle-free” TV experience.
Amazon noted that over-the-top devices such as Amazon’s own Fire TV devices are now becoming the preferred way to watch live TV.
“Although video on demand is on the rise, the global viewing hours weighs in favor of live or scheduled TV and OTT linear streaming is predicted to grow by 64% in next two years,” a company job listing said.
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Jim Kimble is a seasoned industry expert with over two decades of journalism experience. He has been at the forefront of the cord-cutting movement since 2016, testing and writing about TV-related products and services. He founded The Cord Cutting Report in 2016.
Major publications, including MarketWatch, Forbes, and South Florida Sun Sentinel, have interviewed Kimble for his years of expertise. He gives advice on the complexities consumers are navigating with streaming options, and over-the-air TV. Kimble has been a staff writer or correspondent for several award-winning, daily newspapers, including The Boston Globe. You can follow Jim on LinkedIn, YouTube and at X at @james_kimble
A proper guide is much more necessary than some of the services seem to think. PVue had one and it was great. There needs to be the work for a dvr going on, that is how more and more do their tv. I realize most use plug in devices but I like using my pc and browser. I very rarely use live tv and those devices are a disaster to select and use compared to using my mouse. I sure hope amazon will give us some decent options to get more of what we want and less of what we don’t need to save some money. I will soon be paying about twice I think I should be with youboobtv.