The Amazon Fire TV’s Live Experience, which makes accessing live linear content easier through various interfaces including a Live Tab, traditional Program Guide, and Home screen rows, has continuously evolved over the years. It started with the first Fire TV Smart TVs as the way to access antenna channels through the TV’s built-in OTA tuner and then expanded to all Fire TV devices with the inclusion of Prime Video Channels, streaming services, and apps. Here’s the full list of streaming services, apps, channels, and devices that integrate into the Fire TV’s Live TV interfaces. This list is regularly updated as more services integrate channels.
Note that only U.S. channels and services are listed.
Service | Guide Channels | Source | Cost |
---|---|---|---|
Amazon Live Shopping | Live Tab Only | Pre-Installed | Free |
Antenna (OTA) | Various | Fire TV Recast Fire TV Smart TV | Free w/ Hardware |
AMC+ | 5 | PVC | $8.99/month |
AVP Pro Beach Volleyball | Live Tab Only | PVC | Free w/ Prime |
Cinemax | 9 | PVC | $9.99/month |
Discovery+ | 11 | PVC | $6.99/month |
Epix | 4 | PVC | $5.99/month |
ESPN | Live Tab Only | App | TV Provider |
FOX | 8 | App | TV Provider |
Haystack News | 35 | App | Free |
Hulu + Live TV | 75+ | App | $65/month |
IMDb TV | 47 | Pre-Installed | Free |
MLB.TV | Live Tab Only | PVC | $24.99/month |
NBA League Pass | Live Tab Only | PVC | $17.99/month |
NBA TV | Live Tab Only | PVC | $6.99/month |
News by Fire TV | 12 | Pre-Installed | Free |
NFL Thursday Night Football | Live Tab Only | PVC | Free w/ Prime |
PGA Tour Live | Live Tab Only | PVC | $9.99/month |
Philo | 60+ | App | $25/month |
PixL | 1 | PVC | $1.99/month |
Plex | 49 | App | Free |
Pluto TV | 52 | App | Free |
Red Bull TV | 11 | App | Free |
Showtime | 9 | PVC | $10.99/month |
Sling TV | 30+ | App | $30/month |
Starz | 8 | PVC | $8.99/month |
Tubi | 28 | App | Free |
Twitch | Live Tab Only | App | Free |
XUMO | 49 | App | Free |
YouTube TV | 85+ | App | $65/month |
Glossary
- “Live Tab Only” = Channels do not appear in the guide. They only appear in rows within the Live tab interface.
- “Pre-Installed” = App comes pre-installed on all Fire TV devices.
- “App” = App must be installed. Also, in most cases, the app must be launched at last once and, in some cases, logged in.
- “PVC” = Channels appear automatically when subscribed through Prime Video Channels
Updates
12/14/20: IMDb TV added
1/19/21: Tubi added
1/21/21: AMC+ added
2/22/21: Xumo added
3/3/21: News by Fire TV, Plex, and Thursday Night Football added
5/3/21: Discovery+ added
11/23/21: Fox, ESPN, Haystack News, and Amazon Live Shopping added
Any idea why Pluto only affords 52 – channels on the Live Experience / Channel Guide?
Pluto doesn’t include any of the expensive sports channels. I tried 4-5 streaming packages and settled on Pluto and Locast.
No support for HDHomeRun devices? That would make this truly awesome.
Only Amazon’s own Recast DVR :(!
Not so. The AirTV is also supported, via the Sling TV app, even if you don’t have a Sling TV subscrition.
Elias,
AMC+ subscription service should be added to the PRIME VIDEO CHANNEL listings with LIVE TV channels.
5 Channels for $8.99/month (AMC Plus, AMC, BBC America, IFC, Sundance TV)
Nice catch! Thanks for pointing it out. I’ve added it to the list.
Any idea or rumor if Discovery+ is going to integrate into Live TV once they launch live streaming of their channels (which they are adding to their classic Discovery+ platform by the end of this month)? This would make a great integration for Amazon Live and cord cutters.
It would be nice if they integrate LIVE TV feeds with Discovery+, but I think here in the US what we might get are curated Playlist/Channels of popular content, similar to what Peacock does with their service.
Below is their description of the difference between Discovery GO app and Discovery+ streaming service. Sounds like they want to keep LIVE TV feeds tied to a cable subscription.
GO vs discovery+
Unlike the GO apps, discovery+ does not require a cable TV subscription. Once you sign up for discovery+, you can start streaming more than 55,000 episodes with your internet connection. Also, discovery+ is available ad-free.
We will continue delivering high quality, world-class content to all of our customers. If you are a cable subscriber with access to Discovery networks, you will still have access to our live feeds and on-demand content through our GO apps.
Has anyone with PHILO received an answer from Philo or Amazon as to why there is no audio with LIVE TV feeds when you have the pop up window in the upper right corner active?
i have a fire stick that soplayer on now with new updates i can’t get in to watch tv does anybody have any ideas
How do you get the free Sling channels added? Do you need an account?
I haven’t been able to figure this out. I have the Sling app installed, but when I try to sync it as a source, it just hangs.
According to https://www.sling.com/deals/sling-free and https://www.tomsguide.com/news/sling-free there should be a way in the Sling app to click “Explore Free Content,” but I don’t see such a button. All I see is a button for a free trial (3 days).
Anyone able to get this to work? Thx
You need to create a Sling account and use it to log into the app for the free channels to appear. Sling doesn’t make it clear, but it’s possible to create an account without signing up for a free trial or their paid service. Using a phone or computer, go through the process of signing up for a Sling free trial but just stop filling out the form when it gets to the point where it asks for payment information. Your account will actually be created and functional at that point, so then just use the email/password you chose to login to the Sling app.
There is a bit more info on this here: https://www.aftvnews.com/how-to-add-over-100-live-channels-for-free-to-the-fire-tvs-channel-guide-and-live-tab/
I will try it, thanks, Elias! It seems they changed the interface and are now requiring an account.
Works for me. Thanks again, Elias!
Just make an account so you can login.Dont have to pay.
Sort of related—but how do you add Hulu Live channels to the Fire live channel guide? I know Sling (paid and free) integrates—doesn’t Hulu Live too?
I’d like to know this as well. Hulu Live TV doesn’t seem to be integrating into my Live Experience on my Fire Stick 4K. Maybe it only works once it updates to the new Fire TV interface?
Mine is a 4K stick too and I don’t see the integration either. I was wondering if I just wasn’t doing something right
I have Hulu Live and there was an software update after the announcement that they would show up in the live guide last summer but it never worked. Hulu showed up as a sync source under live tv in settings for awhile but then it disappeared. I hope it is added at some point.
Confirmed from Amazon chat support agent. Hulu Live TV integration was disabled due to an error that would lead to receiving an “EPG is not available for the user” error message for all channels in the guide, defeating the purpose and Hulu hadn’t resolved this.
Is there actually a SlingTV for Free?
Please see Elias’ advice above.
Elias, I got the zumo channels added over the weekend, and noticed news by fire tv in the setting sync sources. If you like on it, not avail. But seems to be another on the way. Another related note. As recast is the only ota avail. for this. Is there anything you can share on that, (within your rules) as atsc 3.0 becomes avail
1st thanks very much for this maintained article. I do not believe this information is available anywhere else not even on Amazon. For those that have the Firestick 4k is there any info on if we will get the updated look. I have a standard HD stick as well and the double left tap on the pad to get to the Live Guide shortcut is HUUGE! I hate that the guide is all the way at the bottom of the Live area.
The live channels for plex showed up as a source to sync for the live guide on my 2nd gen box but not on my 3rd gen box.
The IMDB live channels don’t work when I try to open them from the live guide on my second gen box, instead they just open the IMDB app.
Any idea when ATT TV will be available to integrate with Live TV on the Fire Stick?
I know it has been mentioned already but any word on how to get Hulu to sync. Hulu doesn’t even show up as a source in the live tv settings.
Confirmed from Amazon chat support agent. Hulu Live TV integration was disabled due to an error that would lead to receiving an “EPG is not available for the user” error message for all channels in the guide, defeating the purpose and Hulu hadn’t resolved this.
Thank you for this info. I have the new interface, and Hulu Live still doesn’t integrate. This page should also be updated because Hulu has since raised their price to $65, up from $55.
Thanks for the info! I’ve updated the article accordingly.
$65!!! Yikes!!!
FYI: If anyone has a college student in their home, with proper credentials they can get the Spotify Student Plan for $4.99 per month which INCLUDES:
HULU(ad-supported version)
SHOWTIME
AD-FREE MUSIC
Seems like a better deal (unless one needs the full live TV Hulu)
Is this the same for Prime Video channels?
Friday I had a Prime Video channel guide and today i have no option to add them. The only option is to mute the previews. It’s not even an available option in the live Tab. I this is VERY inconvenient after having it for two years.
The odd thing is that I still have it on my tv downstairs on that Fire TV stick
Elias,
The Discovery Plus subscription adds 11 live channels to the Prime Video Channels and it should be updated!
Awesome! Thanks for the heads up! I’ve added it to the list.
For anyone in the Uk
– my5 syncs up and gives a few channels inc 5, 5isa, paramount and a couple others
– Pluto syncs (but not all the channels in the app)
– red bull tv syncs
– tv player (free basic version ) syncs a handful of channels
That’s about it – a lot of the apps mentioned above are region restricted inc IMDB
Any word on whether Amazon will integrate Locast?
I desparately need my Prime Video channel guide back!
Where did it go and why???? It’s not even an option an longer.
Thank you for keeping this article updated! I only use the free apps listed here as all the free stuff in the App Store is pretty much the same and I have a FireTV Recast. Don’t want a bunch of duplicates clogging up my Firestick. Just noticed that Haystack News also integrates into the Recast channel guide. Better than Amazon News imo.
@Elias – I believe that Plex has now been integrated with 50 Channels.
Acorn TV and Britbox should be added to the Prime channels.
I wish they would integrate search with the regular standalone apps of those services but they just show them as add-ons
I don’t believe either of those offer LIVE TV streams. What would be added to the LIVE TV Guide?
ELIAS,
Noticed that ESPN and FOX NOW app Live TV streams are available in the LIVE TV tab section. Perhaps they have been there for awhile and I did not notice. ESPN LIVE TV streams are listed in a separate row in the LIVE TV section. FOX NOW also has a row that shows the local FOX affiliate and FS1 and FS2 if live sports are airing. The local FOX affiliate is also integrated into the LIVE TV Guide.
Plus 1 for this!
I believe FOX is the first of the major broadcast networks to allow their direct app to be compatible with the live tv guide.
I was hoping for ABC but I’ll take it. The future of what a Fire TV can actually be is almost here!
Agree. Nice addition to the Live TV section. No ABC, but nice to have a LIVE ESPN row in the section tab.
ABC, NBC and CBS all have their standalone subscription services. I don’t know if they see integrating with Fire TV as not in their best interest. They want you in their app to capture more data about us. But, we can hope for more additions!
ELIAS,
FOX NOW channels you can manage in Live TV settings on Fire TV.
– FOX (Local Affiliate)
– Fox Sports 1
– Fox Sports 2
– Fox Business
– Fox News Channel
Other Live TV channels that did not synch in Live TV settings:
– Fox Food
– LiveNOW from FOX
– FOX Weather
– FOX Soul
Not sure about Fox Soccer Plus, Fox Deportes or Big 10 Network. Not subscribed to those.
Cheers!
In case anyone was wondering, Hulu Live TV still does NOT work with this!
Hulu Live TV is still on working on my FireTV 4k sticks (I get the “EPG is not available for the user” error).
However, I just bought a FireTV 4k Max stick and surprisingly the Hulu Live TV is working perfectly on that and fully integrated with the program guide.
The youtubeTV integration is working well on all my FireTV sticks and seems much faster. I will likely be fully switching to youtubeTV and cancelling Hulu due to these issues.
Does anyone else have to enter their “Parental Control Pin” every single time when using the Live Guide?
I have my Parental Controls set to allow ALL Rating Levels but my Cube Gen 2 still asks for the pin every time evening when switching between channels. My only option is to turn Parental Controls OFF but doing so automatically turns off PIN Protect Purchases. The Two should be independent of one another. I’ve contacted Amazon to no avail they do not seem to understand the issue and I’ve posted in the Fire TV Help Forums but the responses have yielded no answers. This happens on all 3 of my cubes. I also do not have any additional profiles setup other than my original account. Thanks, in advance for any help.
Amazon has always poorly managed how PIN access works on the Fire TV. I have sent feedback on numerous occasions asking for granularity on how PIN access is controlled. As you stated, PIN Protecting Purchases forces you to lock down the whole device. There should be an option to apply PIN access to purchases/rentals, specific ratings on channels and at the app level.
Maybe someday. But, not as of today. SIGH……..
Thank you!
You are the first person to actually provide some insight into this annoying problem. There is very little discussion about this issue on any customer help forums.
It looks like all the channels except for Antenna and Prime Video Channels are controlled by the “PIN Protect App Launches” and not by the ratings you select. I agree that this is confusing and it took some trial and error to figure this out. Hope this helps!
Yes. Turning PIN Protect App Launches to OFF helps with some Live TV services (Philo, Prime Video CHannesl, Fox NOW, etc.), but not others (Pluto TV, Some but not all Breaking News channels). It is still a HIT OR MISS implementation. This should be a simple granular selection. A separate simple menu item for ON or OFF selection for PIN PROTECT purchases/rentals. Parental Controls can be turned ON in a separate menu item and used to limit channel access and/or app access.
Thanks for your advice on this, I do appreciate it but, it’s not “PIN Protect App Launches” causing this issue. I’ve never turned it on, I can confirm it’s off and none of my other apps require a pin to launch. The issue is specifically with the LIVE guide. I must enter a pin first, for every channel and every show, every time (even if I had just previously entered the pin).
The ONLY way to bypass this is to disable ALL Parental Controls, INCLUDING “Pin Protect Purchases”. The two settings should be INDEPENDENT of one another. (Shutting off Parental Controls Immediately shuts off PIN Protect Purchases) My synced LIVE channels are all FREE and should not require any pin. In order for anyone else in my family to use the LIVE guide I would have to either enter or give them my PIN every time. Totally defeats the whole purpose.
This annoying bug makes the LIVE GUIDE unusable to me.
I really wish this would be fixed by Amazon. Seems no one at amazon wats to acknowledge or fix this glitch with the pin. I wouldn’t even have a pin but I know my kids will buy whatever they see. now they cant watch Pluto from the guide because I wont give them the pin.
Plex channel integration missing hdhomerun source any way to integrate it ?