Amazon Prime Video Channels: Subscriptions, Live TV, Channel List & How It Works
Last updated: 21 September 2026
Amazon Prime Video Channels can make Prime Video feel like more than a streaming service. Instead of only watching the movies and series included with Prime Video, users in supported markets can add subscriptions from other entertainment providers and watch their content through the Prime Video interface.
But there is an important distinction for South African viewers: Prime Video Channels are not the same thing as the standard Prime Video catalogue included with Amazon Prime, and the availability of individual Channels depends on the country and account region.
Amazon Prime itself launched in South Africa in June 2026 at R59 per month or R399 per year, with Prime Video included as part of the membership.
So, what exactly are Amazon Prime Video Channels, what channels are available, what can you watch on them, and how do you cancel a Channel subscription?
Here is the full guide.
What Are Amazon Prime Video Channels?
Prime Video Channels are optional subscriptions that allow Prime Video customers to add selected third-party streaming services to their Prime Video experience.
Instead of managing every service separately, a supported Channel can appear inside Prime Video after you subscribe.
The key point is that Prime Video Channels are generally paid add-ons. Having Amazon Prime or Prime Video does not automatically mean you have access to every Channel listed on Amazon.
Amazon’s Prime Video storefront currently shows services including HBO Max, Paramount+, MGM+, STARZ, discovery+, AMC+, Crunchyroll and other specialist services in supported markets.
Amazon Prime Video Channels List
There is no single worldwide Prime Video Channels list because Amazon changes the available subscriptions according to territory.
The list below therefore represents examples of Channels and services currently shown in Prime Video’s supported international storefronts, rather than a guaranteed South African Channel lineup.
| Channel / service | What you can generally find there |
|---|---|
| HBO Max | Premium series, movies, documentaries, selected sports and news in supported markets |
| Paramount+ | Paramount films and series, original programming and, in some markets, live programming |
| MGM+ | Movies, premium series and MGM+ original productions |
| STARZ | Original drama series, movies and premium entertainment |
| discovery+ | Reality, factual entertainment, lifestyle, food, home and documentary programming |
| AMC+ | AMC programming plus content associated with services such as Shudder and Sundance Now |
| Crunchyroll | Anime series, films and Japanese animation-focused programming |
| BritBox | British television, including drama, comedy, crime and classic programming |
| Acorn TV | British and international dramas, mysteries and crime series |
| PBS KIDS | Children’s educational and family-focused programming |
| BET+ | Black-focused television, films and original programming |
| ViX Premium | Spanish-language series, movies and sports |
| Hallmark+ | Hallmark movies, series and original programming |
| Cinemax | Action-focused movies and series |
| Shudder | Horror, thriller and genre programming |
| These are not all confirmed as available to South African Prime members. Amazon’s own Prime Video storefront demonstrates that the catalogue varies by market. |
What’s on Amazon Prime Video Channels?
The easiest way to understand Channels is to think of them as specialist streaming subscriptions sitting inside Prime Video.
HBO Max
HBO Max is aimed at premium television, movies and original programming. Amazon’s current storefront describes the service as offering series, films, live sports and breaking news in supported markets.
For viewers looking for prestige drama, major movies and premium entertainment, this is one of the better-known services in the Prime Video Channels ecosystem.
Important: HBO Max availability through Prime Video is market-specific.
Paramount+
Paramount+ brings together Paramount-related movies and television, original productions and, depending on territory and plan, live programming. Amazon currently lists Paramount+ among its featured Prime Video subscriptions.
Its catalogue can include entertainment aimed at mainstream television and movie audiences, although the exact library changes by country.
MGM+
MGM+ focuses on movies and original series. Amazon currently lists MGM+ among its featured subscription services and also offers bundles involving MGM+ in some markets.
It is particularly relevant for viewers looking for a combination of films and premium scripted television.
STARZ
STARZ is built around premium original series and movies. Amazon currently lists STARZ as a Prime Video subscription and also offers bundles involving STARZ in supported markets.
discovery+
discovery+ is aimed at factual and reality entertainment, with programming covering real-life stories, lifestyle, food, home, documentaries and other unscripted genres.
Amazon currently describes discovery+ as featuring real-life stories, exclusive series and original programming.
AMC+
AMC+ combines programming from AMC and associated genre services. Amazon describes AMC+ as including content from services such as Shudder and Sundance Now.
That makes it particularly relevant for viewers interested in drama, thrillers, horror and independent or prestige programming.
Crunchyroll
Crunchyroll is focused heavily on anime.
Amazon currently lists Crunchyroll among its entertainment subscriptions, making it one of the more specialised options in the Prime Video Channels ecosystem.
BritBox
BritBox is aimed at British television, including drama, comedy, crime and classic UK programming.
Amazon lists BritBox in subscription combinations with services such as MGM+ in supported markets.
Acorn TV
Acorn TV is another specialist service, particularly associated with British and international drama, mystery and crime programming.
Amazon currently shows Acorn TV in bundles involving PBS Masterpiece in supported markets.
PBS KIDS
PBS KIDS is designed around children’s and family programming.
Amazon currently lists PBS KIDS in subscription combinations with PBS Masterpiece in supported markets.
BET+
BET+ focuses on Black television and film content, including original programming and other entertainment aimed at its audience.
Amazon’s current Prime Video storefront lists BET+ among its available entertainment subscriptions in supported markets.
Amazon Prime Live TV Channels List
One of the biggest sources of confusion around Prime Video Channels is the phrase “live TV channels.”
Prime Video Channels are not necessarily traditional television channels in the same way as DStv channels.
Some subscriptions can include live programming, while others are primarily built around on-demand movies and series.
For example, Amazon currently describes Paramount+ as offering on-demand series and exclusive originals as well as live television in supported markets, while HBO Max is described as including live sports and news.
That means there is no universal Amazon Prime live TV channels list that applies to every country.
The experience depends on:
- Your country
- Your Amazon account region
- The Channel provider
- The subscription available in your market
- Whether that provider offers live programming
Amazon Prime Video Channels in South Africa
This is where South African users need to be careful.
Amazon Prime is now officially available in South Africa, and Prime members receive access to Prime Video as part of the local membership. The South African Prime launch package costs R59/month or R399/year.
However, the existence of a Channel on Amazon’s US or international Prime Video storefront does not automatically mean that Channel is available to a South African customer.
Prime Video content and subscription options are geographically controlled.
If you are in South Africa, the most reliable way to determine what Channels you can actually subscribe to is to open Prime Video while signed into your South African Amazon account and check the Subscriptions/Channels section.
This distinction is important because international websites can show much larger Prime Video Channel lists than the catalogue presented to South African users.
Does Amazon Prime Video Have Channels in South Africa?
Amazon Prime Video is available in South Africa, but users should not assume that every international Prime Video Channel is offered locally.
Amazon’s South African Prime launch specifically confirms access to Prime Video, including Amazon Originals, international movies and series and local programming.
The availability of additional third-party Channels is a separate question.
In other words:
Prime Video in South Africa = yes.
Every international Prime Video Channel being available in South Africa = not established.
The safest way to check a specific Channel is through the Prime Video account associated with your South African region.
Amazon Prime Channels Subscription: How Does It Work?
A Channel subscription is separate from the basic Prime membership.
The general process is:
- Sign into Prime Video.
- Open the Channels or Subscriptions section.
- Select an available Channel.
- Review its price and trial information.
- Start the subscription.
- Watch the Channel’s available content through Prime Video.
The important part is that you pay for the additional Channel separately unless Amazon specifically includes it in a promotion or bundle.
Third-party Prime Video Channels can also have their own pricing, trial periods and terms.
How to Access Prime Video Channels
Once you have subscribed to an available Channel, its content is generally integrated into your Prime Video experience.
You can use supported devices such as:
- Smart TVs
- Streaming devices
- Smartphones
- Tablets
- Web browsers
- Game consoles
- Other compatible Prime Video devices
Amazon’s Prime Video service is available across a wide range of compatible devices, while the exact Channel experience can vary by service and territory.
How to Cancel Prime Video Channels
If you subscribe to a Prime Video Channel and later decide you don’t want it, cancellation is normally handled through your Prime Video account.
A typical process is:
- Open Prime Video.
- Go to Account & Settings.
- Select Channels or your subscription settings.
- Find the Channel you want to cancel.
- Select the cancellation option.
- Follow the instructions to confirm.
Always check the renewal date before cancelling.
A free trial can automatically become a paid subscription if it is not cancelled before the trial period ends, depending on the terms of that particular Channel.
Amazon Prime Video Channels Customer Service
If you have a problem with a Channel subscription, the best starting point is Amazon’s Prime Video help and customer-support system.
This is particularly important if the issue involves:
- A Channel charge
- A failed cancellation
- A missing subscription
- A free trial converting into a paid subscription
- Login problems
- Content that is unavailable
- A Channel that disappeared
- A subscription showing on the wrong account
For third-party Channel-specific content issues, Amazon may also direct customers toward information relating to the Channel provider.
Amazon Prime Video Channels vs Prime Video
The difference is simple:
Prime Video: the movies, series and other content included with your Prime membership/Prime Video access.
Prime Video Channels: additional subscriptions that let you access selected third-party services through Prime Video.
Rent or Buy: individual movies, seasons or other content that you can pay for separately.
These are three different ways content can appear inside the Prime Video ecosystem.
Amazon Prime Video in South Africa: What You Get
South African customers now have Amazon Prime as a broader membership rather than simply a video subscription.
Amazon’s local launch includes:
- Prime Video
- Fast, free delivery on eligible orders
- Prime-exclusive savings
- Prime Day access
- Amazon Luna gaming benefits
- A monthly Twitch channel subscription
The local membership costs R59/month or R399/year, with a 30-day free trial available to new customers.
For a full breakdown of the local membership and pricing, see our guide: Amazon Prime Video Price in South Africa: Plans, Cost & What You Get.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Amazon Prime Video Channels available in South Africa?
Prime Video itself is available in South Africa as part of Amazon Prime. However, individual third-party Prime Video Channels are market-specific, so an international Channel list should not be treated as the South African lineup.
What channels are available on Amazon Prime Video?
Prime Video’s international storefront currently shows services including HBO Max, Paramount+, MGM+, STARZ, discovery+, AMC+, Crunchyroll, BritBox, Acorn TV, PBS KIDS and others. Availability varies by country.
Does Amazon Prime include all Prime Video Channels?
No. Prime Video Channels are generally optional add-on subscriptions. A Prime membership does not automatically unlock every third-party Channel.
Are Prime Video Channels free?
Not usually. Individual Channels normally require an additional subscription, although some services may offer free trials, promotions or bundles.
Can I watch live TV on Amazon Prime Video?
In supported markets and with supported subscriptions, Prime Video can include live television, sports or news. However, Prime Video is not one universal live-TV package, and availability differs by country.
How do I access Prime Video Channels?
Sign into Prime Video and look for the Channels or Subscriptions section. The services shown there are determined by your market and account.
How do I cancel Prime Video Channels?
Go to your Prime Video account and subscription settings, locate the Channel and follow the cancellation instructions. Check the renewal date before cancelling.
Does South Africa have the same Amazon Prime Channels as the USA?
Not necessarily. Amazon’s Channel catalogue is territory-specific, so a Channel listed on an international or US Prime Video page may not appear on a South African account.
Can I watch Prime Video Channels without Amazon Prime?
Prime Video Channels are designed to work through Prime Video, and eligibility can depend on the market. Check the subscription page associated with your Amazon account for the current requirements.
The Bottom Line
Amazon Prime Video Channels are best understood as optional streaming subscriptions inside the Prime Video ecosystem, rather than a single universal package of television channels.
There are numerous services across supported international markets, covering everything from premium drama and movies to anime, reality television, British programming, children’s content, horror and Black-focused entertainment. Amazon’s current storefront includes services such as HBO Max, Paramount+, MGM+, STARZ, discovery+, AMC+, Crunchyroll and others.
For South African viewers, the crucial distinction is availability. Amazon Prime is now officially available locally at R59/month or R399/year and includes Prime Video, but the international Prime Video Channels catalogue should not automatically be treated as the South African catalogue.
The most accurate Channel list for a South African customer is the one displayed inside their Prime Video account.
