The device will become useless in a matter of weeks
Amazon has sent an email to device owners(Image: AP)
An Amazon Fire TV device will begin phasing out from today, January 31, after being discontinued. Amazon has sent an email to customers who purchased a Fire TV Blaster explaining support for the device will stop working “in the coming weeks.”
A Fire TV Blaster allowed users to to add hands-free voice control to older televisions, sound bars and cable boxes using Alexa via infrared signals. To use a Blaster, customers required both the Fire TV and Alexa applications.
Although the Fire TV Blaster was discontinued in 2019, it remained fully functional for users. Amazon has now warned that the device will become useless.
An email sent to customers by Amazon said: “In the coming weeks, support for Fire TV Blaster will be discontinued, and the device will stop working.”
Device owners have been given a $60 (£43) voucher to purchase the latest Fire TV Cube offering a more premium experience with built-in IR blaster and full hands free Alexa.
Customers who would prefer a new Fire TV streaming media player have been offered a 50% off promotion. An option to recycle the Fire TV Blaster is also available through the Amazon Recycling Programme.
Figures obtained under the Freedom of Information Act (FOI) showed the number of people arrested by Merseyside Police for using or distributing illegally altered devices, such as Amazon Firesticks, to access premium channels over the last three years.
Illegal streaming devices are used to access premium sports channels, such as Sky Sports, and other paywalled content. Earlier this month, National Trading Standards, City of London Police and the Federation Against Copyright Theft (FACT) announced that Merseyside would be subject to a crackdown on the devices, along with 17 other areas.
There is no singular offence which relates to accessing or distributing illegal streams and illegally altered devices. When a victim contacts Merseyside Police to report fraud, unless there is an imminent threat or significant vulnerability, they are directed to Action Fraud who deal with most fraud cases.
No arrests were made by Merseyside Police over dodgy sticks in 2023, according to the FOI figures. Two arrests were made in 2024, followed by another two in 2025.
FACT warned that those supplying modified Fire Sticks to unlawfully access Sky and Premier League programming could face penalties reaching £50,000. The Federation added that while those consuming illegal streams might encounter more lenient sanctions, they could still be landed with fines stretching into thousands of pounds.
The Sports Industry Report 2026, compiled by the Sport Industry Group, found 58% of fans surveyed believed it was becoming socially acceptable to use pirate streaming channels to watch live sports.