Amazon denies rumors of free TV streaming service

Amazon.com has no plan to offer a free streaming TV service, a spokeswoman said on Friday following a report that the online retailer might turn up the heat against Netflix and Hulu. Speculation about Amazon’s plans for its TV service, including the possibility that it could launch its own streaming device, has increased ahead of a news conference in New York next week. 

Amazon has denied rumors that it will launch a free streaming video service. Of course, that hasn’t stopped speculation about the company’s plans to take over the living room. The rumored service was said to be an ad-supported content channel that delivered both television programming and music videos to all customers — regardless of whether or not they are currently signed up for Amazon’s $99 annual Prime membership, according to a Wall Street Journal report that cites sources familiar with the company’s plans. Yesterday, Amazon sent out invitations to a press event to “discuss” its video business. Since the event is being led by Amazon’s VP of Kindle, many believe that the company will use this time to announce a new set-top box that will compete with Apple TV, Roku, and Google Chromecast.