Skip to main content

Amazon denies having a free, ad-supported streaming media service in the works

Though the Wall Street Journal reported this week that Amazon may be developing a free, ad-supported video- and music-streaming service, a spokeswoman for the media giant straightforwardly rejected the theory on Thursday.

“We’re often experimenting with new things, but we have no plans to offer a free streaming media service,” Amazon spokeswoman Sally Fouts told Variety.

Recommended Videos

According to the Journal, “people close to the company” suggested the potential service could launch as soon as this summer with both original and syndicated content. In addition to TV and movies, music videos would allegedly be part of the service, accompanying site searches made by people visiting Amazon; for example, you might be presented with the option to watch a David Bowie music video while scanning the site for a Ziggy Stardust t-shirt.

It seems that Amazon has been finding a way to work its way into headlines just about every day this year. Just this week the company invited media outlets to New York on April 2 for an “update” on its video business. Insiders speculate that Amazon will unveil a much-anticipated set-top box that’s been in the works for the last year or so. For a few months now, Amazon has also been in “serious talks” over a new Spotify-like music-streaming expansion within its Prime service, which might have had something to do with the recent and controversial hike in Prime fees.

While Amazon has specifically ruled out a totally free service, we wouldn’t be surprised to see changes to its Prime streaming service, or other new features roll out with its set-top box next month. Check back with us for updates as these stories unfold.

Alex Tretbar
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Alex Tretbar, audio/video intern, is a writer, editor, musician, gamer and sci-fi nerd raised on EverQuest and Magic: The…
Topics
An airport like you’ve never heard it before
Jordan Rakei recording the sound of an aircraft flying overhead.

Europe’s busiest airport has teamed up with a Grammy-nominated artist on a music project like no other.

Jordan Rakei was given access to all areas ... well, maybe not the runway when a plane was coming in ... at the U.K.’s Heathrow Airport to record numerous audio clips and soundscapes that he then incorporated into an ambient music track for travelers -- and anyone for that matter -- to enjoy.

Read more
One of the best TVs ever made is below $2,000, and comes with expert delivery
Panasonic Z95A

When you look through our current list of the best TVs, there are exactly two TVs that should stand out to you, even if you're a casual skimmer. The first is the Sony A95L QD-OLED, simply because it is at the top of the list. The second is the Panasonic Z95A, not because it's the runner-up (which it is) but because it's... Panasonic. It's just not a brand we see making winning TVs, but wow, what a winner the Z95A is. We immediately called it one of the best TVs ever made, something that will be apparent to your eyes if you get it. Now, what's exciting about this TV right now is that it has a low price. You can get the 65-inch version of the TV for $1,998 right now, a savings of over $1,200 off its usual $3,200 price point. You can even get a deluxe delivery and unpack for free if you select the right option on the sales page (accessible by tapping the button below). But, this deal has been around for some time now, since around the start of summer. With Prime Day here and ending soon, it's very likely the time for this deal to end as well. If you want one of the best TVs ever for under $2,000, be sure to tap the button below now.

$1,998 at Amazon

Read more
An amazing TV under $1,000 has a sub $500 Prime Day price (and it’s ending soon)
TCL QM6K

We're now in the final moments of Amazon's summer Prime Day 2025 event, and finding critical last-minute deals. Here's one that almost fundamentally changes how you'll likely think about a product. See, we have a whole list of the best TVs under $1,000, a price point that a ton of people that love TVs just don't feel comfortable crossing. Then, we have a separate list for budget TVs, the best TVs under $500. Even though prices (which move up and down!) are quantitative data points, the differences between a sub $1,000 and a sub $500 TV feel almost categorical in nature, like the difference between water and steam. This deal take the $600 55-inch TCL QM6K (one of the TVs in our 'under $1,000' list) and pushes its price down by $152. This puts it at a price of $448, which is an all time low for it on Amazon, transforms it into an 'under $500' TV. Tap the button below to get the transformative deal while Prime Day is still here or continue reading to see why we liked it so much even when it was over $500.

$448 at Amazon

Read more