July 28, 2026
Amazon is set to shutter its “Prime” TV channel on Aug. 1 — 15 months after launching the free ad-supported streaming TV (FAST) platform in Germany and Austria.
An Amazon spokesperson confirmed the decision following initial media reports covering the closure. The shutdown marks the end of the experimental project designed to blend legacy network television with an on-demand VOD library.
Prime was backended by Palo Alto, Calif.-based Wurl, which supports more than four billion monthly hours of viewing across hundreds of channels and more than 50 streaming platforms worldwide through cloud-based software and scheduling service.
While no reason was given for the shutdown, industry analysts suggest the channel struggled to gain traction and compete against Germany’s dominent public broadcasters such as ARD, ZDF and RTL.
Separately, Prime Video Channels, the pioneering online platform offering Prime members access to third-party streaming services through a unified billing process, is adding subscriptions in Denmark, Norway, and Switzerland.
They include HBO Max, SkyShowtime, Apple TV, MGM+, Lionsgate+, MUBI, Hayu, Crunchyroll, Universal+ and BritBox.
“We are thrilled to bring add-on subscriptions to customers in Denmark, Norway, and Switzerland,” says Elisabetta Carruba, director, Prime Video Channels, EMEA. “Customers can now enjoy a portfolio of series and movies alongside Prime Originals and Exclusives. This is an important step in our goal of becoming the No. 1 entertainment destination for our customers across Europe”.