If you use Amazon's Prime Video, you're doubtless aware about the huge selection of movies, TV shows, sports and documentaries the platform offers. But did you know that you can use Prime Video Channels to unlock a much larger library of content?
Beyond Prime Video's hits like The Rings of Power, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and The Boys, and all the third-party content on the platform too, lots of standalone streaming services and distributors have extra bundles of videos you can pay to access. They'll blow your streaming library wide open!
Prime Video Channels are secondary subscriptions that you pay for on top of Prime, and they give you access to an even bigger library of movies, TV shows, informational videos and sports streams, depending on which you sign up to. There are roughly 100 in the US and 60 in the UK (though the exact figures keep changing), so you've got loads of choice.
These Prime Video channels cater to a range of audiences — look through the listings and you can find channels for horror shows, LGBTQ+ movies, kids' programming, documentaries, extreme sports coverage, hobbyist videos, and everything in between. Each channel costs a different amount, is available in different regions, and offers varying lengths of free trial too.
You can waste entire evenings picking something to view. Add the choice of "which channel should I buy?" and you could spend entire weekends just working through the list. To help you save some time, we've narrowed down the list to the ten most interesting channels which you should consider first.
Bear in mind that you'll need to already have an Amazon Prime account to view these — you can sign up to Prime here if you don't already have it. And if you don't find something here to spark joy, perhaps consider browsing the Prime Video Channels tab to find something else.
The Prime Video Channels you need to know
1. Britbox
If you're a fan of British TV or film, then the BritBox channel is something you really should check out — it offers the same content as the independent streaming service, but all woven into your Prime Video offerings.
There are classic British TV shows like Doctor Who, The Thick of It and Death in Paradise, as well as modern ones like The Fall, Why Didn't They Ask Evans? and Sanditon, and select films like Oliver Twist and 127 Hours.
The channel costs $6.99/£5.99 a month, which is the same as the standalone streaming service, but you can get a 7-day trial if you want to dip your toes in the water first.
Prime Video Channels: US (link here) and UK (link here)
2. Starz / Lionsgate Plus
Confusingly, this streaming channel has different names in the US and UK, but the offerings are the same. Starz, as it is known in the US recently got a rebrand from StarzPlay to Lionsgate Plus in the UK... for some reason.
This streaming service offers Lionsgate's content, with TV shows like The Great and Outlander both of which are popular historical dramas.
Like most other premium channels, there's a ton of original content that's worth checking out. You could spend the better part of the free week-long trial just doing that if you want, but if you decide to stick around it'll cost you $8.99 / £5.99 per month.
Prime Video Channels: US (link here) and UK (link here)
3. Showtime
When you think of Showtime you think of Billions. You think of Dexter. (Which regained its footing after that questionable "final" season.) You think of Shameless, which is definitely worth your time.
And you have got to check out Yellowjackets. Plus there are plenty of movies, comedies, documentaries and even live sports — boxing and MMA — all included in your premium subscription.
Showtime costs $10.99 per month for Prime Video subscribers, with a 7-day trial. UK viewers, we're sorry to say that the channel isn't available if you, but lots of Showtime shows are available on other platforms, particularly Paramount Plus.
Prime Video Channels: US only (link here)
4. Daily Burn
Prime Video channels don't need to be dramatic. Daily Burn brings you high-quality workouts from some of the top trainers in the business. Whether it's yoga or cardio or something in between (there's lots in between), or something seriously hard core, you'll be able to find it here.
Daily Burn will save you a trip to the gym too, if home workouts are your thing. There's a 30-day free trial, so you can flex before you buy. After that, it will cost you $14.99/£14.99 per month, making it one of the priciest Prime channels.
Prime Video Channels: US (link here) and UK (link here)
5. Hayu
If you're a UK viewer who loves everything reality TV then the Hayu Prime Video channel is the one to get — it's basically identical to the independent streaming service in terms of price and shows.
It has all your favorite Bravo shows from Real Housewives (that's ALL the shows that make up the global phenomenon), Below Deck, Million Dollar Listing and Keeping up with the Kardashians (all the series until The Kardashians made the move to Disney Plus).
Hayu offers a free seven-day trial then it's £4.99 a month after that — the channel isn't offered in the US (but you'll find these on the Peacock streaming service instead).
Prime Video Channels: UK only (link here)
6. PBS Kids
Do you have kids? Are you thinking about having kids? Do you, on occasion, have to look after kids for one reason or another? Then at some point, you're going to end up watching one of the shows that are available on PBS Kids.
It's inevitable. Don't fight it. While some of the shows are available free on Amazon Prime, a good number require a full subscription to PBS Kids, one of the many channels filled with kids-themed content on Prime Video
That's where this channel comes in, offering loads of different shows aimed at a young audience. It costs $4.99 per month and while it isn't available in the UK, lots of alternatives are.
Prime Video Channels: US only (link here)
7. Hallmark
There's a Hallmark movie or show for every season and every mood, which is why so many people love the Hallmark Prime Video Channel so much.
Hallmark costs $5.99/£4.49 per month, and you can get a 7-day trial if you want to test it out firste Heart, or one of many other romance shows, the comfort factor is at hand via one subscription package.
Hallmark costs $5.99/£4.49 per month, and you can get a 7-day trial if you want to test it out first.
Prime Video Channels: US (link here) and UK (link here)
8. The Coda Collection
One of the great things about Prime Video channels is that there's something for every niche and interest and The Coda Collection is a great example of that.
This channel is for music fans and it has plenty of documentaries, live music events and more music-related videos. If music is a big part of your life, this is certainly one to check out.
Thankfully, it's one of the more affordable channels and it'll only cost you $4.99/£3.99. Like most of the channels we've listed, it's available with a week-long trial, giving you time to find out if it's the kind of music coverage you like.
Prime Video Channels: US (link here) and UK (link here)
9. The Great Courses
For something a little more educational, you can turn to The Great Courses.
This isn't quite your average documentary channel, though Prime Video does have countless options for you if that's what you're looking for. No, The Great Courses is for video learning.
The channel is packed full of videos to help you learn more about the world: there are courses on learning languages, cooking, outdoor survival and many, many more interesting things. It's quite similar to Masterclass, but without famous instructors.
You can try out The Great Courses with a 7-day trial, but after that the cost is $7.99/£5.49.
Prime Video Channels: US (link here) and UK (link here)
10. FreeVee
Amazon's FreeVee has it all: from Bosch: Legacy, to Judge Judy, Bewitched re-runs or just immerse yourself in the sweet film Shark Tale. There is literally something there for every taste and, best of all, it's totally free.
FreeVee is Amazon's ad-supported video channel, available to all — you don't even have to have an Amazon Prime subscription to watch. It used to be called IMDB TV, so if you've used that before, then you're well-versed with FreeVee.
If you're okay with the occasional ad break now and then during your movie or TV show, FreeVee is definitely worth checking out — you can tell if listings on Prime Video are included or not because they'll say "ads" on the top-left of the image.
Prime Video Channels: US (link here) and UK (link here)
11. Curiosity Stream
Another non-fiction channel which offers you lots of non-fiction videos for a low price, Curiosity Stream is well worth checking out.
With videos on a range of subjects including food, health, music, space, history, technology, nature and more, there are thousands of documentaries on Curiosity Stream for people who want to learn more about the world (or, in the case of the Science category, topics outside of the world too).
This Prime Video channel costs just $2.99 / £2.79 per month too, after a 7-day free trial, so you can indulge in your curiosity without breaking the bank.
Prime Video Channels: US (link here) and UK (link here)
12. Paramount Plus
One of the most popular standalone streaming services, Paramount Plus also has a Prime Video channel that lets you enjoy all of the classic and new Paramount content within your Prime Video app.
Paramount Plus has lots of new hit shows including 1889, Star Trek: Picard, Halo and Yellowjackets, and modern movies like Scream 6, Smile and Top Gun: Maverick, as well as a huge selection of classic movies and TV shows produced by Paramount over the years.
After a 7-day trial you pay $9.99 / £6.99 per month for a subscription to the Paramount Plus channel, which is the same price that you'd pay to sign up to the standalone service.
Prime Video Channels: US (link here) and UK (link here)
13. Mubi
Fans of world and indie cinema will love Mubi — this streaming service is known for distributing (and recently also producing) the type of movies that'd normally not be seen by many people, and the service also has a Prime Video channel in the UK.
Using Mubi, you can catch up on movies from regions around the world, with loads of classic and modern films from different places. There are also older and modern indie gems that you might have missed when they released. In the last few years Mubi has also produced movies, with hits like Decision to Leave, Aftersun, The Worst Person in the World and Benedetta.
Mubi isn't cheap at £9.99 per month, but a 7-day free trial lets you check out its content first.
Prime Video Channels: UK (link here)
