Amazon to shut down Prime linear TV channel
July 27, 2026 12.28 Europe/London By Jörn Krieger

Amazon will discontinue its linear Prime TV channel in Germany and Austria on 1 August 2026, bringing to an end an experiment that sought to bridge the gap between traditional television and streaming after just over a year.

The company confirmed the closure after reports in the German media. A Prime Video spokesperson told German industry publication DWDL that the dedicated linear channel would be withdrawn, while all programmes would remain available on demand through the streaming service.

The decision affects only the curated 24/7 Prime channel. Amazon said its wider live TV offering would remain unchanged, with Prime members continuing to have access to the live streams of Germany’s public broadcasters ARD, ZDF and the regional channels, as well as more than 500 FAST channels.

The Prime channel launched in April 2025 as an exclusive feature for Prime members in Germany and Austria. It was designed to showcase films, series and live sports already included in the Prime Video catalogue through a scheduled linear programme, helping viewers discover content without having to browse the on-demand library. The service also included advertising, although Amazon said commercial breaks would be shorter than those on traditional television.

At launch, Christoph Schneider, then Country Director of Prime Video Germany, described the channel as a “shop window” for the streaming platform, targeting viewers who were more familiar with traditional television viewing habits. The initiative also gave Prime a presence in television listings alongside conventional broadcast channels.

Amazon had indicated it was considering having the channel’s audience independently measured, but this never materialised. The company has not disclosed viewing figures or explained the reasons for ending the service.

The relatively short lifespan of the channel suggests the concept failed to gain sufficient traction, although Amazon has not commented on its performance.