Amazon Entertainment: Prime Video, Streaming, Sports, News & Digital Media

Amazon is no longer just a place to order products online.

Entertainment has become a major part of the Amazon ecosystem, bringing together Prime Video, Amazon MGM Studios, live sports, news, Amazon Music, Audible, Twitch, Amazon Games, podcasts, and digital content across a wide range of devices.

For many Americans, Prime Video is the most visible part of that ecosystem. But Prime Video itself has also evolved beyond a traditional streaming service. Today, it combines Amazon Original movies and series with licensed programming, live sports, news, free ad-supported channels, rentals and purchases, and subscriptions to other streaming services. (aboutamazon.com)

This guide explains how Amazon entertainment works, what you can watch on Prime Video, how live sports fit into the service, where to find news, how Amazon Music and Audible compare with other digital services, and how Amazon's entertainment businesses fit together.

What Is Amazon Entertainment?

Amazon's entertainment business is a collection of services rather than one product.

The main pieces include:

Amazon describes Prime Video as a major entertainment destination that combines movies, series, live events, sports, Amazon MGM Studios productions, licensed programming, subscriptions, and free ad-supported channels in one app. (aboutamazon.com)

That makes Amazon's entertainment strategy somewhat different from a conventional streaming service.

Amazon is not trying to provide only one catalog of movies and shows.

It is increasingly trying to provide one place where customers can discover and access many types of entertainment.


Prime Video: The Center of Amazon's Entertainment Strategy

Prime Video is the most important part of Amazon's consumer entertainment ecosystem.

It provides access to movies, television series, Amazon Original programming, Amazon MGM Studios productions, licensed content, live sports, news, free ad-supported channels, rentals, purchases, and third-party streaming subscriptions. (aboutamazon.com)

For Prime members, Prime Video is included as one of the benefits of the membership.

However, one of the biggest misconceptions about Prime Video is that everything displayed inside the Prime Video app is included with Amazon Prime.

It isn't.

Prime Video is better understood as a content hub.

Some content is included with Prime. Other movies and shows can be rented or purchased. Additional streaming services can be added through subscriptions.

What's included with Prime Video?

Prime Video's included catalog changes over time.

Amazon Original series and movies are among the most recognizable types of included programming, along with selected licensed titles and live programming.

Amazon MGM Studios also supplies a large amount of content for the Amazon ecosystem.

The Amazon MGM Studios catalog includes major film franchises and television properties, giving Prime Video access to a substantial library of movies and series. Amazon completed its acquisition of MGM in 2022, bringing MGM's extensive film and television catalog into the broader Amazon entertainment business. (aboutamazon.com)


Prime Video Is More Than Streaming Movies and TV

Traditional streaming usually means choosing a movie or series and pressing play.

Prime Video now works differently.

Within the service, you can encounter:

Movies and TV shows
Amazon Originals, Amazon MGM productions, licensed titles and other programming.

Live sports
NFL, NBA, WNBA, soccer, baseball, hockey, NASCAR and other events, depending on the current U.S. rights agreements.

News
Live news networks, news programs and short-form news clips.

Free streaming channels
Ad-supported channels that can be viewed without a paid channel subscription.

Paid subscriptions
Third-party streaming services that can be added through Prime Video.

Rentals and purchases
Movies and shows available separately from the Prime catalog.

Amazon says Prime Video currently offers more than 900 free ad-supported streaming television channels and allows customers to subscribe to services including HBO Max, Apple TV+, Peacock Premium Plus, FOX One, Paramount+, Crunchyroll and others. (aboutamazon.com)

That makes Prime Video closer to an entertainment marketplace and aggregator than a simple subscription catalog.


Prime Video and Amazon Prime

Prime Video is closely connected to Amazon Prime, but they are not exactly the same thing.

Amazon Prime is the broader membership program.

Prime Video is one of the services offered within that ecosystem.

A standard U.S. Prime membership currently costs $14.99 per month or $139 per year, with discounted memberships available to some eligible customers. (aboutamazon.com)

That membership can also include shopping and delivery benefits, Amazon Music benefits, Prime Reading, Amazon Photos, Alexa+, and other services.

This means the value of Prime Video can be considered alongside all the other benefits included with Prime rather than evaluated completely on its own.


Does Prime Video Have Ads?

Yes.

Prime Video includes advertising on supported content in the United States.

Amazon introduced limited advertisements into Prime Video's included movies and television programming and offers an additional paid option for customers who want an ad-free viewing experience. (aboutamazon.com)

That distinction matters when comparing Prime Video with other streaming services.

An Amazon Prime subscription does not automatically mean that every Prime Video movie or series will play without advertisements.

Also remember that some content has different commercial arrangements, especially live sports and third-party channels.


Amazon Prime Video Channels

One of Prime Video's most important features is the ability to add other streaming services.

Instead of managing every entertainment subscription through a completely separate app, customers can subscribe to participating services directly through Prime Video.

Amazon says customers can add subscriptions such as:

Availability differs by country and service. (aboutamazon.com)

The advantage is convenience.

Customers can discover content through one interface and manage eligible subscriptions in one place.

The important catch is that these subscriptions generally cost extra.

Prime Video is therefore not a way to get every major streaming service for the price of Amazon Prime.


Amazon MGM Studios

Amazon's entertainment operation became significantly larger with MGM.

MGM brought decades of film and television history into Amazon's entertainment portfolio, including franchises such as:

Amazon said when MGM joined the company that the studio brought more than 4,000 films and 17,000 television episodes to the broader entertainment organization. (aboutamazon.com)

Amazon MGM Studios now develops and distributes original movies and television programming as part of the Amazon entertainment business.

Recent Prime Video releases include both major original productions and adaptations of popular books and established properties. Amazon's 2026 entertainment lineup has included projects such as Reacher, The Terminal List, The Love Hypothesis, and other original films and series. (aboutamazon.com)


Amazon Prime Video Sports

Live sports have become one of the biggest reasons to pay attention to Prime Video.

Amazon currently streams live sports in the United States including programming from the NFL, NBA, WNBA, NWSL, MLB, NASCAR, hockey, college basketball, and other competitions, although the exact schedule and geographic availability vary by sport and season. (aboutamazon.com)

This is significant because live sports are different from traditional on-demand streaming.

People often search for a specific game rather than a general category.

That means Amazon's sports strategy also connects with searches such as:

The exact viewing destination depends on the rights for the particular event.


NFL on Prime Video

The NFL is one of Prime Video's highest-profile sports properties.

Prime Video is the exclusive U.S. home of Thursday Night Football, with selected additional NFL programming and events available through the service or through other subscriptions offered inside Prime Video. (aboutamazon.com)

For the 2026 NFL season, Amazon's Thursday Night Football schedule includes regular-season matchups throughout the season, including special holiday-period games. (aboutamazon.com)

Prime Video's NFL coverage includes more than the live game itself.

Depending on the broadcast, viewers can also get:

Because NFL broadcasting rights are divided among several networks and streaming services, Prime Video is not the place to watch every NFL game.

That is an important distinction.

If someone searches for an NFL game, the correct streaming service depends on the specific matchup and broadcasting rights.


NBA on Prime Video

Prime Video has also become a significant destination for NBA viewers.

For the 2026–27 season, Amazon says Prime Video is streaming 67 NBA regular-season and Emirates NBA Cup games, including a number of nationally significant matchups. (aboutamazon.com)

Prime Video also offers its Prime Vision presentation for selected games, incorporating an alternative viewing experience with AI-powered insights and additional graphics. (aboutamazon.com)

Again, Prime Video does not carry every NBA game.

Availability depends on the rights package and location.


WNBA on Prime Video

Amazon's relationship with the WNBA expanded in 2026.

Amazon and the WNBA announced an 11-year agreement that includes 30 exclusive regular-season games each season, plus additional postseason rights during the length of the deal. (aboutamazon.com)

That makes Prime Video an increasingly important destination for women's professional basketball.


MLB and Baseball on Prime Video

Prime Video also streams selected MLB games.

In 2026, Amazon says selected New York Yankees games are available to Prime members in parts of the northeastern United States, including New York State, Connecticut, northern and central New Jersey, and northeastern Pennsylvania. (aboutamazon.com)

Regional sports rights are particularly important here.

A baseball fan should therefore check the specific team's broadcast arrangements and ZIP-code eligibility instead of assuming Prime Video provides nationwide access.


NASCAR, Soccer and Other Sports

Amazon's live sports portfolio extends beyond football and basketball.

In 2026, Prime Video streamed selected NASCAR Cup Series races, WNBA games, NWSL matches, MLB games, hockey and other sports programming. (aboutamazon.com)

Sports rights change regularly, so Amazon's current sports schedule is more useful than an old list of rights.

For viewers, the most reliable approach is to check the current Prime Video sports schedule before assuming an event is available.


World Cup and International Sports

Major global sporting events can generate enormous search demand, but streaming availability depends on the event and the rights holder.

For example, Amazon has provided ways for Fire TV customers to follow the FIFA World Cup 2026, while other services also hold broadcasting rights in the United States. (aboutamazon.com)

This is an important distinction for anyone searching for terms such as:

World Cup
World Cup schedule
World Cup bracket
FIFA World Cup
FIFA World Cup 2026

Those searches do not automatically mean Prime Video is the broadcaster.

The rights for each competition should always be checked separately.


Amazon Prime Video News

News is another area where Prime Video has expanded beyond traditional entertainment.

Amazon now has a dedicated news destination inside Prime Video for U.S. customers.

Amazon says the destination provides access to local, national and world news, including 24/7 live coverage from networks such as ABC News Live, CBS News 24/7, LiveNOW from Fox, CNN Headlines, NBC News NOW, and hundreds of other free ad-supported channels. (aboutamazon.com)

In September 2026, Amazon added on-demand News Clips, allowing viewers to watch short-form videos covering major local and national stories rather than having to watch a full live news program. (aboutamazon.com)

The news destination is available to U.S. customers with or without a Prime membership.

That is an important distinction.

You do not necessarily need Amazon Prime to use Prime Video's free news offerings.


Free Streaming on Prime Video

Prime Video also includes free ad-supported programming.

Amazon says U.S. customers can access more than 900 FAST channels—free ad-supported streaming television channels—alongside other free programming. (aboutamazon.com)

This gives Prime Video a model similar to free streaming platforms where customers watch programming supported by advertising.

The content can include:

Some free programming is available to Amazon customers regardless of whether they are Prime members.


Amazon Music

Amazon's entertainment ecosystem also includes music.

Amazon Music provides music and podcast listening, with different service levels available depending on whether you are a Prime member or subscribe separately to Amazon Music Unlimited.

Prime members receive Amazon Music benefits as part of their membership.

Amazon has described the Prime Music service as providing access to a catalog of 100 million songs through shuffle listening, along with ad-free listening for the most popular podcasts in the Amazon Music app. (aboutamazon.com)

Amazon Music Unlimited is a separate subscription designed for users who want broader on-demand music functionality.

This distinction is similar to the difference between Prime Video's included catalog and the additional content that can be rented, purchased, or accessed through paid subscriptions.


Audible and Audiobooks

Amazon also owns Audible, one of the best-known audiobook and spoken-audio businesses.

Audible focuses heavily on:

Audible is a separate service from Amazon Music and Prime Video, although the services are part of Amazon's larger entertainment portfolio.

For people who consume entertainment while driving, exercising, commuting, or doing household tasks, audiobooks and podcasts can complement rather than replace video streaming.


Amazon Games

Amazon also operates a gaming business.

Amazon Games develops, publishes, and supports video games, while the company's broader ecosystem connects gaming with Prime, Twitch, streaming content, and gaming communities.

Amazon Prime members also receive gaming-related benefits through Prime Gaming, which can include free games, in-game content, and other benefits depending on the current offering.

Amazon's gaming strategy therefore connects entertainment with its broader Prime membership rather than treating games as an entirely separate business.


Twitch

Amazon owns Twitch, a major live-streaming platform centered particularly on gaming, creators, esports, music, and interactive communities.

Twitch is different from Prime Video because it is fundamentally creator-driven and interactive.

Viewers can watch live broadcasts, interact through chat, follow creators, and participate in online communities.

For Amazon, Twitch provides another part of the entertainment ecosystem:

Prime Video = professionally produced movies, shows and live events

Twitch = live creator-driven entertainment and communities

The two services therefore complement rather than directly duplicate each other.


Amazon Podcasts and Wondery

Amazon's digital-media business also includes podcasts.

Wondery is part of Amazon's entertainment portfolio and produces and distributes podcasts and other audio programming.

Amazon Music has also become a destination for podcasts alongside music.

This means a person using Amazon's entertainment ecosystem can move among:

Video → Music → Podcasts → Audiobooks → Games → Live streams

without leaving the broader Amazon ecosystem.


Prime Video on Smart TVs, Fire TV and Other Devices

Prime Video is designed to work across a large range of devices.

Amazon says Prime Video is available through thousands of compatible devices, including smart TVs and other connected devices. (aboutamazon.com)

These can include:

Amazon's Fire TV platform is particularly closely integrated with Prime Video and Alexa.

That integration lets Amazon connect content discovery with voice control, smart-home devices, and its wider device ecosystem.


Prime Video and Alexa

Amazon's entertainment strategy is also connected to Alexa.

On compatible devices, Alexa can help users search for programs, open applications, control playback, and perform other supported actions.

With Amazon's newer Alexa+ experience, the company is expanding conversational AI across entertainment and other daily tasks.

The long-term direction is increasingly:

Ask what you want to watch → receive recommendations → start watching

rather than navigating manually through increasingly large menus.


Amazon Entertainment vs. Netflix

Amazon and Netflix both compete for streaming viewers, but their business models are different.

Netflix is primarily a streaming entertainment company.

Amazon uses Prime Video as part of a much larger ecosystem that includes shopping, delivery, music, books, devices, cloud computing, advertising, gaming, healthcare, and other services.

That difference can matter when evaluating the two subscriptions.

Someone paying for Amazon Prime may consider Prime Video one component of the membership rather than a standalone entertainment subscription.

Netflix, by comparison, is much more directly centered on video entertainment.

Prime Video also offers rentals, purchases, free channels, live sports, and third-party subscriptions, which makes the platform broader than a traditional subscription-only streaming catalog.


Amazon Entertainment vs. Disney+ and Other Streaming Services

The same principle applies when comparing Amazon with Disney+, Max, Paramount+, Peacock, Hulu, Apple TV+, and other services.

Each service has a different catalog and business model.

Rather than asking which service has the "best" entertainment, consider:

Prime can be unusual because its entertainment value is only one part of a larger membership.


Can You Watch News on Prime Video Without Prime?

Yes.

Amazon says its dedicated U.S. news destination is available to all customers, regardless of whether they have an Amazon Prime membership. It includes free 24/7 news coverage and on-demand news clips. (aboutamazon.com)

Additional premium news offerings can require paid subscriptions.

This makes Prime Video relevant even for people who are interested in Amazon primarily as a source of news and digital media rather than shopping or entertainment.


Can You Watch Sports Without Amazon Prime?

It depends on the event.

Some Prime Video programming is available as part of Amazon Prime, while additional sports content can require separate subscriptions.

Amazon's sports offerings can also have geographic restrictions.

For example, certain regional MLB games are limited to specified markets, while other national packages have broader availability. (aboutamazon.com)

Always check the current listing for the specific game or event.


Why Prime Video Is Becoming an Entertainment Hub

The most important change in Amazon entertainment isn't simply that Amazon has more movies and shows.

It's that Prime Video is increasingly being designed as a single destination for different kinds of media.

A user might open Prime Video to watch:

Amazon can then use the same platform to offer additional content and subscriptions.

This approach gives Prime Video a broader role than simply competing with Netflix on original television series.

Amazon itself describes Prime Video as a "first-stop entertainment destination," and its current platform combines subscription programming, free content, rentals, purchases, live sports, and hundreds of FAST channels. (aboutamazon.com)


How to Find Something to Watch on Prime Video

The increasing amount of content on Prime Video can make discovery difficult.

A simple approach is to divide your search into categories.

Looking for a movie?

Check:

Looking for a TV series?

Look at:

Looking for live sports?

Start with the current sports schedule rather than searching the general Prime Video catalog.

Looking for news?

Open the dedicated news destination.

Looking for free entertainment?

Browse Amazon's ad-supported programming and FAST channels.


How Amazon Entertainment Fits Into Prime

One of the most powerful aspects of Amazon's entertainment strategy is that individual services can reinforce one another.

For example:

Amazon Prime

→ Prime Video
→ Amazon Music
→ Prime Reading
→ Amazon Photos
→ Prime Gaming
→ Shopping and delivery
→ Alexa+
→ Other Prime benefits

And Prime Video itself can lead to:

Prime Video

→ Amazon Originals
→ Amazon MGM Studios
→ Live sports
→ News
→ Free channels
→ Rentals
→ Purchases
→ Third-party subscriptions

That creates an ecosystem rather than a standalone streaming product.


What Amazon Entertainment Means for Consumers

The expansion of Amazon entertainment gives consumers more choice, but it also makes the ecosystem more complicated.

A single Prime Video screen may contain:

Understanding that distinction can save you from paying for content you thought was already included.

Before watching or buying, check whether the title is marked as:

Included with Prime

Rent

Buy

Subscribe

or available as free with ads.


Frequently Asked Questions About Amazon Entertainment

What entertainment does Amazon offer?

Amazon's entertainment portfolio includes Prime Video, Amazon MGM Studios, Amazon Music, Audible, Amazon Games, Twitch, podcasts, live sports, news, free ad-supported channels, and other digital-media services. (aboutamazon.com)

Is Prime Video included with Amazon Prime?

Yes. Prime Video is one of the benefits of an Amazon Prime membership, although not every title displayed through Prime Video is included. Some content requires rental, purchase, or a separate subscription. (aboutamazon.com)

Is Prime Video the same as Amazon Prime?

No. Amazon Prime is the larger membership program. Prime Video is one component of that membership.

Does Prime Video have sports?

Yes. Prime Video streams multiple live sports properties in the United States, including NFL, NBA, WNBA, NWSL, selected MLB, NASCAR and other programming. Exact coverage changes by season and rights agreement. (aboutamazon.com)

Can I watch NFL games on Prime Video?

Yes. Prime Video is the exclusive U.S. home of Thursday Night Football and offers other football-related programming. However, not every NFL game is available on Prime Video. (aboutamazon.com)

Can I watch NBA games on Prime Video?

Yes. Prime Video currently streams a package of NBA games. For the 2026–27 season, Amazon says it is streaming 67 regular-season and Emirates NBA Cup games. (aboutamazon.com)

Does Prime Video have live news?

Yes. Prime Video has a dedicated U.S. news destination providing access to live news from multiple networks, plus on-demand News Clips. The free news destination is available to customers with or without Prime. (aboutamazon.com)

Is news on Prime Video free?

Some news programming is free and available without a Prime membership. Other premium news offerings can require subscriptions. (aboutamazon.com)

Does Prime Video have ads?

Yes. Prime Video's standard included content contains limited advertising in the United States. Amazon offers a separate paid ad-free option. (aboutamazon.com)

Does Prime Video include Netflix?

No. A Netflix subscription is separate from Amazon Prime. Prime Video does allow customers to subscribe to certain third-party streaming services through its platform. (aboutamazon.com)

Can I rent movies on Prime Video?

Yes. Prime Video includes movies and other content that can be rented or purchased separately from the titles included with Prime. (aboutamazon.com)

What is Amazon MGM Studios?

Amazon MGM Studios is Amazon's film and television studio organization, incorporating the MGM catalog and producing original movies and television programming for Amazon's entertainment business. MGM brought thousands of films and television episodes into Amazon's portfolio. (aboutamazon.com)

What is Twitch?

Twitch is Amazon's live-streaming platform, particularly known for gaming, creators, esports, interactive communities, and other live content.

Does Amazon Prime include music?

Prime members receive Amazon Music benefits, but Amazon Music Prime is different from the separately offered Amazon Music Unlimited subscription. (aboutamazon.com)


The Future of Amazon Entertainment

Amazon's entertainment strategy increasingly connects streaming, live sports, news, music, gaming, podcasts, audiobooks, and creator content.

Prime Video is at the center of that strategy, but it is not operating in isolation.

Amazon can connect entertainment with:

That combination gives Amazon a distinctive position in digital entertainment.

The company does not need every customer to use every service.

Instead, it can provide enough different services that a household might find several reasons to remain inside the Amazon ecosystem.

For viewers, that means Prime Video is becoming less like a traditional television channel and more like a digital entertainment hub.

You can watch a movie, follow the NFL, stream NBA games, catch live news, browse free channels, subscribe to another streaming service, listen to podcasts, play games, or rent the latest release—all through different parts of the same broader Amazon entertainment ecosystem.

And that is likely to remain one of the most important parts of Amazon's evolution from an online retailer into a much larger consumer technology and media company.