Amazon is adding a free news tab and launching a Sony Pictures subscription channel on Prime Video as competition in streaming intensifies.
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| Amazon expands Prime Video with a free news section and a new Sony Pictures subscription channel as part of its broader push in the streaming wars. Image: CH |
Tech Desk — December 4, 2025:
Amazon is sharpening its competitive edge in the streaming arena with a new move aimed at broadening access to real-time information while deepening user engagement. The company announced Wednesday that it is rolling out a dedicated news tab on Prime Video, which will be available to all U.S. users for free by the end of the year.
The new tab will feature major live news networks—including ABC News Live, CBS News 24/7, LiveNOW from Fox, CNN Headlines, and NBC News NOW—covering a wide range of global, national, and regional topics. By consolidating diverse news sources into a single hub, Amazon is seeking to make Prime Video a more convenient, multipurpose platform where entertainment and information coexist seamlessly.
The timing reflects the escalating battle for viewer attention as streaming services race to expand their content portfolios. Live news has emerged as a key differentiator in a crowded market defined by subscription fatigue and increased competition from giants like Netflix, Disney+, Apple TV+, and YouTube. With cable viewership continuing to decline, platforms that can offer both on-demand content and real-time information gain a strategic advantage.
In a separate announcement, Amazon also unveiled Sony Pictures Core, a new subscription channel offering a curated library of Sony films and shows for $6.99 per month, now available to Prime Video customers in the U.S. and Canada. This addition strengthens Amazon’s marketplace of paid add-on channels, giving users more flexibility to customize their viewing experience.
Together, these moves underscore Amazon’s broader strategy: to retain users by building a more comprehensive streaming ecosystem, one that aligns convenience, variety, and value under a single digital roof. As competition widens and consumer preferences evolve, Amazon is betting that combining free live news with premium content offerings will help Prime Video remain a central hub in the global streaming landscape.