Although Amazon Prime Video has a decent selection of movies and TV shows, it’s fair to say that there’s a lot of filler content too. If you feel like you’ve seen everything you want to, is it time to cancel Prime Video? Perhaps not. You might want to check out Prime Video Channels, which lets you add premium channel subscriptions without cable.
Prime Video Channels come at an additional monthly cost, which varies per channel, but it keeps everything within the Amazon ecosystem. That means you can watch these channels on whatever devices you use currently for Prime Video. It’s seamless and easy.
We’re going to tell you everything you need to know about Prime Video Channels and how to subscribe to them.
What Can You Watch on Prime Video Channels?
There are plenty of Prime Video Channels to choose from. They come in a variety of flavors to suit all tastes, offering sport, children’s shows, horror movies, documentaries, and more. It’s primarily on-demand, but there is live content too.
The exact channels available varies per region. In the US, examples of channels include Paramount+, Shudder, Starz, Discovery+, AMC+, and Epix. Subscribing to these channels is one of the many cool things you can do with Amazon Prime Video.
Some channels also exist as standalone streaming services, outside of Amazon. The appeal of subscribing through Prime Video is that you don’t need to switch between apps because Amazon’s handles it all. It also means your billing is centralized.
The downside is that it’s not cheaper to subscribe to these channels on Amazon. In fact, you might get them cheaper if you go directly, especially if you opt for annual packages (which usually include discounts) as Amazon doesn’t offer these.
Additionally, some streaming services have no presence as Prime Video channels. You’re not going to find Netflix, Disney+, or HBO Max here, for example, so you might not be able to manage everything through Amazon anyway.
How to Browse Prime Video Channels
To see exactly what’s on offer, launch Prime Video and switch to the Channels tab. Here, each row represents a channel or a grouping of content (e.g., “Kids favorites on Prime Video Channels”).
If a channel catches your eye, select See more to browse everything it offers. Alternatively, to see all channels, locate the Prime Video Channels row and select See more. This separates the channels by genre, like entertainment, sports and outdoors, and learn and discover.
Like any other content on Prime Video, if you select a movie or show you can see more details about it, including a synopsis, cast list, running time, and year of release.
How Much Do Prime Video Channels Cost?
Each channel on Prime Video sets its own pricing. For example, Curiosity Stream is $2.99/month, Paramount+ is $9.99/month, and MLB.TV is $24.99/month. You must also factor in the Amazon Prime subscription cost because you can’t subscribe to channels without this.
Nearly all channels offer a seven-day free trial, after which the paid subscription begins automatically. The free trial is single use per account per channel. Some channels also let you watch the first episode of a TV show for free to entice you in.
To help you out, we’ve put together a list of all Prime Video channels and their cost.
How to Subscribe to a Prime Video Channel
To subscribe to a Prime Video channel, navigate to the channel page and select the promotional banner at the top. On the new page, you’ll see a button that you need to press to begin. Usually, this reads Start your 7-day free trial.
The next page confirms your email, payment method, billing address, and terms. If you’re happy with all this, proceed to activate your subscription.
An alternative way to subscribe is if you’re viewing the details of a channel’s show or movie. At the top of the page and next to the episodes (if applicable), you’ll see a button that reads Watch with [Channel name]. Use this to begin the subscription sign-up process.
How to Watch Prime Video Channels
Once you have successfully subscribed to a channel, you can watch it on any device that you normally stream Prime Video on, like your smart TV, smartphone, or game console. You can even watch Prime Video with Chromecast. You don’t need to download anything or do anything differently; the content streams like anything else would.
On the main page of Prime Video, you should now see a row called Your channels, which gives you quick access to your subscribed channels. If you don’t see this, don’t worry. Just switch to the Channels tab, or search for whatever you wish to watch.
How to Manage and Cancel Prime Video Channels
After you have signed up for a channel subscription, you can easily view it within your account. From the Prime Video homepage on the web, select the cog icon in the top-right and choose Settings. From here, switch to the Channels tab. A list of your subscriptions is displayed along with the renewal date, price, and option to cancel. (There’s also a Channels invoices tab, which shows your billing history.)
If you select Cancel Channel, you can choose to get a reminder three days before renewal, turn off auto-renew, or keep the subscription. If you wish to request a refund, contact Amazon’s customer service team and plead your case.
Remember, if you cancel your Amazon Prime subscription, then you lose access to all your Prime Video channels.
Don’t Overlook Prime Video Channels
Have you tried out Prime Video’s channels yet? If not, you’re missing out. There’s plenty of great content well beyond what Prime Video offers. Plus, you could sign up for a channel trial, binge what you want to see, and then cancel before payment kicks in. No risk, all reward.
If you weren’t familiar with Prime Video Channels, chances are there are other features you’re not aware of either. Did you know you can share your Prime subscription with someone, or download movies and shows for offline viewing? Be sure to explore everything that Prime Video offers so that you’re getting bang for your buck.
