read Prime Video episodes directly through your TV's Prime Video app

You can read episodes of Prime Video shows on most smart TVs that have the Prime Video app built in or installed. The process differs slightly depending on your TV brand, but the core steps are the same: open Prime Video, find the show or movie, and select the read option before it appears on your device's storage.

Not all TV models support downloading. If your TV is older than five or six years, or if it's a basic smart TV without much storage space, the read feature may not be available. In those cases, you'll need to read to a phone or tablet first, then use screen mirroring or AirPlay to send it to your TV.

Downloaded episodes stay on your TV for 30 days from the time you read them, or for 48 hours after you first press play — whichever comes first. Prime Video removes them automatically after that window closes.

Key Takeaways

  • Most newer smart TVs with the Prime Video app built in can read episodes directly, but older models may not have this feature.
  • You need enough free storage space on your TV — typically at least 500 MB to 1 GB per episode, depending on video quality.
  • Downloaded episodes expire after 30 days or 48 hours of first playback, whichever comes first, and Prime Video removes them automatically.
  • If your TV doesn't support downloads, you can read to a phone or tablet instead and mirror the screen to your TV.

Check whether your TV model supports downloading

Samsung, LG, Sony, and TCL smart TVs released in the last five years almost always have read support if they have the Prime Video app. Roku TVs and Fire TVs (Amazon's own brand) support downloads on nearly all models. Vizio and Hisense TVs vary more — some support it, some don't.

The easiest way to know is to open the Prime Video app on your TV and navigate to any show or movie. If you see a read icon (usually a downward arrow or a cloud with an arrow), your TV supports it. If the icon doesn't appear, your TV doesn't have the feature.

You can also check your TV's manual or the manufacturer's website by searching "[Your TV brand] Prime Video read support," but testing the app directly is faster and more reliable.

Make sure you have enough storage space on your TV

Smart TVs have limited built-in storage — usually between 8 GB and 32 GB total. The Prime Video app itself takes up space, your TV's operating system takes up space, and any other apps you've installed take up space. You need free space left over to actually store episodes.

A single episode in standard definition uses roughly 500 MB to 800 MB. High-definition episodes use 1 GB to 2 GB each. If you want to read multiple episodes or full seasons, you'll run out of space quickly on most TVs.

Check your TV's available storage before you read. On most smart TVs, go to Settings, then Storage or Apps, and look for "Available" or "Free" space. If you have less than 2 GB free, delete other apps you don't use regularly, or read episodes in standard definition instead of HD.

read an episode through your TV's Prime Video app

Open the Prime Video app on your TV and search for the show you want to watch. Select the show title to open its page, then choose the specific episode you want to read.

On the episode details screen, look for a read icon — it's usually a downward-pointing arrow, sometimes inside a cloud symbol. Press it. The read will begin when ready and typically takes two to five minutes per episode, depending on your internet speed and the video quality.

While the episode is downloading, you'll see a progress bar or a percentage indicator on the screen. Once it reaches 100%, the episode is stored on your TV and ready to watch without an internet connection. You can watch it anytime within the 30-day window.

Find and play your downloaded episodes

Downloaded episodes appear in a separate section of the Prime Video app, usually called "Downloads" or "My Downloads." On most TVs, you'll find this option in the app's main menu or sidebar.

Open the Downloads section and you'll see all the episodes you've downloaded on that specific TV. Select the episode and press play. It will start when ready without needing an internet connection.

If you read the same episode on multiple devices — your phone, tablet, and TV — each device stores its own copy. Deleting it from your phone doesn't delete it from your TV, and vice versa.

Delete downloads when you're done watching

Prime Video automatically removes downloaded episodes after 30 days or 48 hours after you first press play, but you can delete them manually anytime to free up storage space for other episodes.

Open the Downloads section, find the episode you want to remove, and select the delete or remove option (usually a trash icon or an X). The episode is deleted from your TV when ready, and that storage space becomes available again.

Deleting an episode from your TV doesn't affect your Prime Video account or your ability to watch it later — you can always read it again whenever you want.

What to do if your TV doesn't support downloads

If the read icon doesn't appear in your TV's Prime Video app, you can still watch episodes offline by downloading them to a phone or tablet first. read the episode to your mobile device using the Prime Video app, then use screen mirroring or AirPlay to send the video to your TV.

On Android phones, open the Prime Video app, read the episode, then use Google Cast or your TV's built-in casting feature to mirror the screen. On iPhones and iPads, use AirPlay to send the video to an Apple TV or an AirPlay-compatible smart TV.

This method works but requires your phone or tablet to stay connected to your TV throughout playback. It also drains your mobile device's battery faster than normal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I read movies on my TV the same way as episodes?

Yes. The process is identical — search for the movie, select the read icon, and wait for it to finish. Movies take longer to read than episodes because they're longer, typically 10 to 30 minutes depending on your internet speed and the file size.

What happens if I move to a different TV?

Downloads are stored only on the TV where you downloaded them. If you get a new TV, you'll need to read the episodes again on the new device. Your Prime Video account and watch history move with you, but the actual downloaded files stay on the original TV.

Can I read episodes while watching something else on my TV?

Yes. Downloads happen in the background, so you can continue watching other content, use other apps, or even turn off the TV while a read is in progress. The read will continue as long as your TV stays connected to the internet.

Why does my TV say the read failed?

The most common cause is a weak or interrupted internet connection. Move your TV closer to your router, restart your TV, and try downloading again. If it keeps failing, check that your Prime Video subscription is active and that you're signed into the correct account.

Do I need a Prime membership to read episodes?

Yes. Only Prime members can read episodes. If you have a free trial or an active Prime subscription, you can read. If your membership has expired, you'll need to renew it before downloads become available again.