Amazon has taken a significant step in expanding its free content offerings by partnering with PBS to bring a broad selection of PBS programming to its Prime Video app. The move allows users to access live affiliate streams and on-demand content from over 150 local PBS affiliate stations and the PBS KIDS Channel without requiring a Prime Video subscription.

This development marks a notable shift in Amazon's strategy, particularly in the wake of its decision to shut down Freevee, its ad-supported channel, just months ago. The new PBS FAST channels on Prime Video will be ad-free, setting them apart from Amazon's other FAST channels, which feature third-party ads.

The partnership between Amazon and PBS was first announced in November, with PBS' chief digital marketing officer, Ira Rubenstein, highlighting the deal as "part of the PBS commitment to make trusted content available to all households across as many platforms as possible." The launch of the PBS FAST channels on Prime Video is a significant step towards achieving this goal, making PBS content more accessible to a wider audience.

The availability of PBS content on Prime Video will not only benefit users who don't have a Prime Video subscription but also provide an alternative to PBS' own apps, which already offer streaming capabilities. This move is likely to increase PBS' online presence and reach a broader demographic, including those who may not have considered PBS content in the past.

The implications of this partnership extend beyond the realm of streaming services. It highlights Amazon's continued efforts to expand its free content offerings, potentially attracting more users to its platform. Additionally, the deal underscores PBS' commitment to making its content widely available, a strategy that may influence other broadcasters and streaming services to follow suit.

In conclusion, the launch of PBS FAST channels on Amazon Prime Video marks a significant development in the streaming landscape. With ad-free PBS content now available to all users without a Prime Video subscription, Amazon has taken a major step in expanding its free content offerings. As the streaming wars continue to heat up, this partnership is likely to have far-reaching implications for the industry as a whole.