James R | On 09, Mar 2016

Amazon has added ITV Hub and All 4 to its Fire TV stick line-up.

The online retailer doubled down on its entry into the subscription VOD race with the launch of its own streaming hardware, dubbed Fire TV. The streaming media device became popular very quickly, thanks to its ability to offer both Netflix and Amazon Prime Video on the same box – a rarity in the increasingly competitive crowd of magical living room boxes.

Indeed, with everyone from Roku and Google to Apple fighting to become the indispensible attachment to your telly, the most important deciding factor has become what apps are on each streaming device. Previously, Roku devices, the NOW Box and Amazon’s Fire TV box were the only devices to offer all of the Freeview catch-up services to users. Now, though, Amazon’s Fire TV Stick – which offers a stripped-down version of the Fire TV Box, specifically without 4K support – has joined the Freeview catch-up club, with the addition of both the ITV Hub app and Channel 4’s All 4.

Techradar notes that Fire TV Stick’s collection of apps, channels and games is now at over 4,200, including BBC iPlayer and the recently rebranded My5, from Channel 5. With both the Fire TV Box (circa £80) and the Fire TV Stick (circa £35) offering Netflix and Amazon Prime Video too, the latest update for Amazon’s smart devices just put them right near the front of the pack.

Which set top box is best for you? Check out our head-to-head streaming media device comparison guide – or head this way for our review of Amazon’s original Fire TV.

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