Prime Video Channels lets you add specific channels like HBO, STARZ, and Showtime to your account — here's how it can help you cut the cord without sacrificing anything
- Prime Video Channels lets you add subscriptions to third-party networks and streaming channels that aren't already included in Amazon's Prime Video service (free with your Prime membership).
- It allows you to create your own à la carte cable subscription and only pay for the channels you actually watch.
- Channels include HBO, STARZ, Showtime, and more, and range from $6 to $15 per month.
- It's an easy transition for people who are native to streaming. Another good and cheap option to check out is Sling TV.
- Browse all the channels available through Prime Video here.
What are Amazon Prime Video Channels?
Prime Video Channels are monthly subscriptions that you can add onto your Prime membership as essentially an à la carte cable option. For a monthly fee, you'll get access to content from premium third-party networks and other streaming entertainment channels without leaving your Prime Video account.
Some subscriptions also offer the Watch Live feature, which gives you the option to live-stream programming on supported devices at the same time that it's being broadcast on TV.
How many channels are there?
You can find them all the Prime Video channels here, but there are four pages of options. At a glance, it looks to be over 150 channels — from HBO to STARZ to Shudder to Best of British Television.
What are some of the most popular channels available?
HBO: $14.99/month after trial.
STARZ: $8.99/month after trial
Showtime: $10.99/month after trial
CBS All Access: $5.99/month after trial
Cinemax: $9.99/month after trial
How expensive is it to use Prime Video Channels?
It depends on which channels you're choosing to subscribe to. You won't be paying for channels you don't use or want, and you can cancel at any time. Major channels will cost about $6 to $15 per month on average. You can also test out channel subscriptions with a seven-day trial to see if you'll really use them before committing.
In terms of comparative pricing, the above prices are the same as what you can find by subscribing directly on the site or adding channels to a Hulu subscription. But, this offers the added perk of keeping all your subscriptions housed in one platform.
What are the TV shows and movies you can watch?
Each channel represents a host of TV shows and content, but here are a few of the most popular shows and where to find them:
HBO: "Big Little Lies," "Euphoria," "Succession," "Last Week Tonight with John Oliver," "Chernobyl"
STARZ: "Outlander," "Power," "Frozen," "Toy Story 3," "Jumanji," "Tangled."
Showtime: "City on a Hill," "Billions," "The Affair," "Shameless"
CBS All Access: "Why Women Kill," "NCIS," "Blue Bloods," "Star Trek: Discovery."
You may find that some TV shows have earlier seasons available to any Prime Video members, and later seasons behind the Prime Video Channel paywall.
Which other cheap cord-cutting options should you consider?
People with a Netflix, Hulu, or Amazon Prime account — or a friend who lets you piggyback off of theirs — will have an easy time transitioning to Prime Video Channels if they're new to options outside of a traditional cable box.
You may also want to consider Sling TV, a service that lets you stream a set of premium TV channels live over the internet for $25 per month. You can watch on TVs, computers, tablets, or phones. It offers two base tiers, Blue ($25/month) and Orange ($25/month), or Orange + Blue ($40/month). Each tier includes different types of networks.
However, having a fully-fledged custom cable subscription like Sling may be overwhelming for anyone who mostly relies on streaming. If that's you, you may save more — and benefit from fewer, more customized options — by only subscribing to one or two Prime Video Channels. The good thing is you can test drive both before committing; Sling TV offers a seven-day trial to new subscribers, and Amazon offers seven-day trials of Prime Video Channels to new subscribers (and a 30-day trial for Amazon Prime itself if you don't have one). Plus, Sling is offering 40% off right now — so your first month is $15 for Orange or Blue and $25 for Orange + Blue.