Amazon Prime Video is launching a 24/7 linear channel in Germany and Austria

Amazon is launching a linear TV channel on its Prime Video service in Germany and Austria that will include programming already available via the service.

Some of the content will be on-demand shows repurposed into a linear schedule, alongside some live content including Uefa Champions League football and Wimbledon tennis.

The channel can be found in the “Live TV” section of the Prime Video app, where an electronic programme guide displays current and upcoming programming.

This is a notable development in streaming TV, coming from a born-digital service that grew up as a classic VOD offer before investing in live sport.

There is no technical reason why live content has to be displayed through a linear channel, with tiles and rails providing adequate navigation to such events in streaming apps, so this is a vote of confidence in the power of linear scheduling to present and promote content.

Amazon’s linear channel launches at 20:15 DST on 17 April with the first two episodes from the new season of German original production LOL: Last One Laughing.

Other highlights from across the Prime Video catalogue will follow during a 24/7 schedule, with Amazon saying viewers can sit back and conveniently discover the best of its content, such as Reacher, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power and Fallout. Content will include commercial breaks.

Meanwhile, metadata provider Media Press has revealed that it is providing the rich metadata and programme listings for the new channel.