In a major move that will entice streaming TV fans in the UK, Amazon Freevee is broadening its UK channel offerings with a series of 10 new free, ad-supported channels.
The most eye-catching part? NBCUniversal is making its international ad-supported debut right here on Freevee, offering a curated blend of its hit unscripted series and time-honoured TV classics, such a Northern Exposure – which has been quite hard to find on streaming.
In addition, Freevee is adding four content channels from UKTV – from comedy to reality TV (see the full list of channels and programmes below).
What’s more, you won’t need to dig into your pockets for an Amazon Prime subscription to enjoy these new additions.
And, as we head into autumn, MGM is gearing up to launch its first-ever FAST Channels in the UK, adding yet another layer to Freevee’s diverse content portfolio.
What Is Amazon Freevee?
For the uninitiated, Amazon Freevee is a streaming service that offers a mix of premium movies, TV shows, and Originals – all for free.
The catch? You’ll have to sit through some adverts.
The service is accessible through various platforms, including Amazon’s own Fire TV and Fire Tablets, as well as within the Prime Video app.
It’s also available on Google TV, Android TV OS devices, and Apple’s suite of products, including iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV.
It’s also important to note that while you do need a (free) Amazon account to watch Freevee – you do NOT need to be subscribed to Amazon Prime for it.
NBCUniversal Joins Freevee
NBCUniversal is making its international debut in the Free Ad-Supported Television (FAST) space with six new channels on Amazon Freevee.
These channels are designed to showcase a blend of NBCUniversal’s hit unscripted series along with beloved library dramas and comedies from Universal Television.
Remember that these channels are “live” – that is, the programmes won’t be available to watch on-demand, but instead, the live streaming channels air episodes back-to-back, and you’ll have to follow to schedule if you want to catch specific episodes.
These are the NBCUniversal channels that are being added in the UK – and each is dedicated to a single show:
The Real Housewives
A cornerstone of reality TV, The Real Housewives series offers a window into the lives of affluent women from various American cities.
Known for its drama and opulence, the show has spawned multiple spin-offs and remains a staple in the reality TV landscape.
Million Dollar Listing
This reality series takes viewers into the high-stakes world of luxury real estate in major American cities.
With a focus on the professional and personal lives of real estate agents, Million Dollar Listing offers a behind-the-scenes look at the complexities of brokering multi-million-dollar deals.
Top Chef
Top Chef is a competitive cooking show that pits chefs against each other in a series of culinary challenges.
Judged by a panel of industry experts, the show has been praised for its focus on culinary skills and innovation.
Xena: Warrior Princess
A cult classic from the ’90s, Xena: Warrior Princess follows the adventures of Xena, a mighty warrior on a quest to redeem her past sins. The show blends elements of mythology, fantasy, and drama.
Northern Exposure
Originally aired in the early ’90s, Northern Exposure is a drama-comedy that explores the life of a young New York doctor who finds himself practising in a small Alaskan town.
The show offers a unique blend of medical drama and fish-out-of-water comedy, and has been largely unavailable to stream in recent years – so this is exciting news for fans of the show.
The Bionic Woman
This classic series from the ’70s follows Jaime Sommers, a woman who gains superhuman abilities through bionic implants after a near-fatal accident.
The show was groundbreaking for its time and remains a staple in the realm of science fiction television.
UKTV’s Four New Channels
UKTV, a commercial subsidiary of BBC Studios, is also joining Amazon Freevee with four new FAST Channels.
Each channel focuses on a specific genre or theme, offering a curated viewing experience.
UKTV Play Heroes
This channel is dedicated to the everyday heroes who make a difference in life’s most dramatic moments. Viewers can join frontline medics and police through a range of shows that highlight the heroism of paramedics, doctors, nurses, and law enforcement officers.
Notable shows include Emma Willis: Delivering Babies, Inside the Ambulance, 999: Rescue Squad, Special Ops: Crime Squad, Cop Car Workshop, Inside the Operating Theatre, Nurses Down Under, and The Shift: Women on the Force.
UKTV Play Laughs
Designed to tickle your funny bone, UKTV Play Laughs is a haven for comedy enthusiasts.
The channel features a lineup of shows starring some of the biggest names in comedy. From witty quips to comical chat and downright daft discussions, the channel offers a variety of comedic content.
Shows to look out for include Hypothetical, Mel Giedroyc: Unforgivable, Judge Romesh, and Comedians Giving Lectures.
UKTV Play Full Throttle
For those who have a need for speed and a love for all things mechanical, UKTV Play Full Throttle takes viewers to the skies, tracks, and roads.
The channel offers a deep dive into the world of planes, trains, and automobiles, led by expert hosts.
Featured shows include Bangers & Cash, Architecture the Railways Built, Warbird Workshop, Yianni: Supercar Customiser, Secrets of the Railways, Train Truckers, Impossible Railways, Secrets of the London Underground, and Modern Wheels or Classic Steals.
UKTV Play Uncovered
For those with a penchant for the mysterious and the historical, UKTV Play Uncovered invites audiences to explore the extraordinary.
From ancient monoliths to modern myths, the channel delves into the darkest corners of history and engineering.
Featured titles include Abandoned Engineering, Forbidden History, World War 2 From Above, War Factories, History Hunters, Warbird Workshop, World War Weird, World War 2 Frontlines, and Secret Nazi Bases.
It’s worth noting that these four UKTV channels were also added to another free, ad-supported service this week – Pluto TV.
MGM Channels Coming To Freevee
Later this autumn, MGM is set to enrich Amazon Freevee’s channel lineup with the launch of five single-title FAST Channels.
This marks the first time that MGM’s FAST Channels will be available to UK audiences, adding another layer of diversity to the platform’s offerings.
Among the shows to be featured are:
Paternity Court: A courtroom drama that delves into family disputes and paternity issues, offering a mix of legal proceedings and emotional storytelling.
In the Heat of the Night: A crime drama series based on the 1967 film of the same name, focusing on racial tensions and police investigations in a Southern US town.
The Addams Family: The iconic series that follows the lives of a peculiar, macabre family, offering a blend of humour and dark comedy.
The Outer Limits: A science fiction anthology series that explores various speculative fiction stories, often with a twist ending.
The Pink Panther: Known for its animated title character, this series includes a mix of comedy and detective stories – and an iconic theme…
Amazon Freevee’s channel expansion in the UK is a noteworthy development for those interested in the evolving dynamics of streaming services.
While it may not revolutionize the industry, it does offer viewers more choices, especially those who are budget-conscious or averse to subscription fees.
As the streaming landscape continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how Amazon Freevee and other free, ad-supported services carve out their niches.