Amazon.com is changing up its streaming service. Wall Street Journal reports that Amazon is planning to launch a free ad-supported streaming network and will do away with only offering video to members via a $99 a year plan with Amazon Prime.
The new free service will likely feature original content, something that Amazon started getting into last year with the launch of sits first shows Alpha House and Betas. Alpha House was renewed for a second season, while WSJ reports that when it comes to Betas, Amazon “is unlikely to renew the series for a second season” but they have been talking about producing the show for the free streaming project. Amazon picked up two new comedies, Transparent and Mozart in the Jungle, last month, but it’s unknown whether they will debut on the new, free streaming service or not.
UPDATE: Well, maybe not. Amazon says they have no plans for a free streaming service after all, saying “We’re often experimenting with new things, but we have no plans to offer a free streaming-media service.” Damn you, rumor mill.
