Adding a new focus on linear TV feeds from its content partners, Amazon has released an update for Fire TV devices that features a new “On Now” row and an integrated live channel guide.
The update, offered to subscribers to Amazon Channels (Amazon’s aggregated collection of subscription OTT video offerings), provides quick access to live TV streams to programmers such as HBO, Showtime, Cinemax, and Starz.
The update also supports Amazon Alexa, enabling users to navigate and tune into those live feeds with their voice by uttering, “Alexa, tune to HBO Family,” or “Alexa, go to Showtime,” for example.
The On Now row offers a glance at what is currently on and allows users to watch a preview of the live channel. Selecting a channel instantly launches the live player on the Fire TV device.
Among other additions, a new “Recent” row now captures the last live channel and VOD titles that the user viewed. The integrated channel guide lets viewers browse what shows are live and what will be coming to those channels in the next 14 days.
