ShortsTV Review 2026: Short Films, Cost & Where To Watch

September 6, 2026   •   by Mark   •   0 Comments

ShortsTV Review 2026: Short Films, Cost & Where To Watch

Short films may not get the attention of full-length movies, but they can still deliver memorable stories in a fraction of the time. That’s exactly what ShortsTV is built around.

ShortsTV specializes in short-form movies, including live action, animation, documentaries, comedy, drama, science fiction, horror, and other genres from filmmakers around the world. It also has a strong connection to the Oscar Nominated Short Films, which ShortsTV has presented theatrically since 2006.

I actually remember ShortsTV from when it was available on Fubo. If you’re looking for it there today, however, ShortsTV is no longer part of Fubo’s current lineup.

Fortunately, there are still several ways to watch in 2026, including the traditional ShortsTV channel, ShortsTV+, Amazon Prime Video Channels, and a free ad-supported SHORTS channel in selected markets.

So, how much does ShortsTV cost, where can you watch it, and is it worth adding to your streaming lineup? Let’s take a look.

What Is ShortsTV?

ShortsTV is a television and streaming network devoted specifically to professionally produced short films.

Its programming includes live-action movies, animation, documentaries, comedies, dramas, thrillers, science fiction, horror, and other genres from filmmakers around the world. You’ll find work from both established filmmakers and newcomers who may not yet have the exposure of major Hollywood directors.

What makes ShortsTV different from most movie channels is the running time. Instead of committing to a two-hour feature, you might watch several completely different stories in the same amount of time.

That makes ShortsTV particularly appealing when you want something entertaining but don’t necessarily have the time—or desire—to settle in for a full-length movie.

What Kind of Movies Are on ShortsTV?

ShortsTV offers a surprisingly wide variety of movies considering its very specific focus on short films.

Live-Action Short Films

You’ll find dramas, comedies, thrillers, horror, romance, crime, science fiction, and other genres. Running times vary, but the shorter format makes it easy to watch several completely different stories in one sitting.

Animated Short Films

Animation is another major part of ShortsTV, ranging from family-friendly stories to more experimental and adult-oriented productions.

Documentary Shorts

Short documentaries cover real people, culture, history, social issues, and other subjects while telling their stories in a much shorter format than traditional documentaries.

Oscar-Nominated Short Films

ShortsTV is especially well known for its connection to the Oscar Nominated Short Films, including Live Action, Animation, and Documentary categories.

We’ll take a closer look at that Oscar connection later in the review.

My appreciation for short films actually goes back to college. I took a film class where we watched An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge, and that movie has stuck with me ever since. It’s an excellent example of just how powerful a short film can be. You don’t need two hours to tell a memorable story, and that’s part of what makes the short-film format so interesting.

ShortsTV Pricing in 2026

ShortsTV pricing depends on how you choose to watch, because ShortsTV, ShortsTV+, and the free SHORTS channel are different services.

ShortsTV OptionPriceWhat You Get
ShortsTV+ Monthly$3.99/monthAd-free on-demand short films
ShortsTV+ Annual$39.99/yearSame service at a lower yearly cost
ShortsTV Amazon Channel$1.99/month after trialShortsTV content through Prime Video
SHORTS FAST ChannelFree with adsCurated short films in selected markets
ShortsTV TV ChannelVaries by provider24/7 linear ShortsTV channel

ShortsTV+ Pricing

ShortsTV+ offers one Standard plan for $3.99 per month or $39.99 per year.

The subscription includes thousands of short films, curated and personalized channels, up to six profiles, four simultaneous streams, and as many as 10 registered devices.

At under $4 per month, ShortsTV+ is one of the less expensive specialty movie streaming services available.

ShortsTV on Amazon Prime Video Channels

If you’re already an Amazon Prime member, ShortsTV is also available through Prime Video Channels.

ShortsTV currently advertises a 7-day free trial, followed by $1.99 per month for existing Prime customers.

That makes it even cheaper than the standalone ShortsTV+ subscription.

For Prime members who simply want access to ShortsTV content without adding another separate streaming app, the Amazon Channel may be the easiest option.

Can You Watch ShortsTV for Free?

Yes, in some markets.

Shorts International operates a free, ad-supported channel called SHORTS, which features a curated selection of short films.

SHORTS is available on selected platforms such as Samsung TV Plus, Pluto TV, Plex, LG Channels, and Rakuten TV, although availability varies by location.

The important thing to remember is that SHORTS is not the same as the full premium ShortsTV service.

If the free channel is available to you, I’d try it first. It gives you a good feel for the short-film format before paying for ShortsTV+ or the Amazon Channel.

Where Can You Watch ShortsTV in 2026?

The traditional ShortsTV linear channel has fairly limited U.S. distribution compared with larger movie networks.

ProviderShortsTV Channel
DirecTV573
AT&T U-Verse1789
Google Fiber603
Hotwire560

You can also watch ShortsTV content through ShortsTV+ and Amazon Prime Video Channels, while the free SHORTS channel is available on selected FAST streaming platforms.

Is ShortsTV Still on Fubo?

No. I remember watching ShortsTV through Fubo in the past, but it is no longer part of Fubo’s current channel lineup.

That’s worth mentioning because longtime Fubo subscribers may remember seeing ShortsTV in their guide just as I did.

What Is the ShortsTV+ App?

ShortsTV+ is the standalone streaming version of ShortsTV, offering thousands of short films on demand.

One of its more interesting features is the ability to create personalized movie channels based on your favorite genres, subgenres, and even your mood. As you watch, skip, and save films, the service can refine its recommendations.

ShortsTV+ also supports:

  • Up to six profiles
  • Four simultaneous streams
  • Up to 10 registered devices
  • Curated and personalized short-film channels

For viewers who want more control than a traditional linear TV channel provides, ShortsTV+ is the most flexible way to explore the ShortsTV library.

ShortsTV and the Oscar-Nominated Short Films

One of ShortsTV’s biggest claims to fame is its long-running connection to the Oscar Nominated Short Films.

Since 2006, ShortsTV has presented the annual theatrical release featuring nominees from three Academy Award categories:

  • Live Action
  • Animation
  • Documentary

These compilations give moviegoers a rare chance to see Oscar-nominated shorts on the big screen before the Academy Awards.

That connection adds credibility to ShortsTV’s focus on short-form filmmaking and helps separate it from broader movie services that may include only a handful of shorts.

Just keep in mind that not every current Oscar-nominated short is automatically included with every ShortsTV subscription.

ShortsTV Pros and Cons

ShortsTV has a clear niche, which is both its biggest strength and its biggest limitation.

Pros

  • Focused entirely on short films
  • Live action, animation, documentaries, comedy, drama, horror, sci-fi, and more
  • Thousands of short films available through ShortsTV+
  • Strong connection to Oscar-nominated short films
  • ShortsTV+ costs only $3.99 per month
  • Amazon Prime Video Channel is currently $1.99 per month
  • Free SHORTS channel available in selected markets
  • Personalized channels through ShortsTV+
  • Up to six profiles and four simultaneous streams

Cons

  • Very specialized compared with broader movie services
  • Limited availability of the traditional ShortsTV channel
  • No longer available through Fubo
  • ShortsTV, ShortsTV+, and SHORTS can be confusing
  • Not a great value if you rarely watch short films
  • Free SHORTS availability varies by platform and market

ShortsTV vs. the Competition

ShortsTV doesn’t have many direct competitors because few streaming services focus so heavily on short films.

Still, viewers interested in independent and less-mainstream movies may also consider Fandor, Criterion Channel, and MUBI.

ServiceMonthly PriceMain FocusBest For
ShortsTV+$3.99Short filmsShort-film fans
Fandor$4.99Indie, international, documentary, and classic filmsBudget-minded indie fans
Criterion Channel$10.99Classic, art-house, and international cinemaSerious movie enthusiasts
MUBI$14.99Curated independent and international filmsFans of hand-picked cinema

These aren’t perfect apples-to-apples comparisons. Fandor, Criterion Channel, and MUBI focus much more on feature-length movies, while ShortsTV specializes in the short-film format itself.

If short films are what you specifically want, ShortsTV is easily the most focused option of the group.

Is ShortsTV Worth It in 2026?

I think ShortsTV is worth it for the right viewer, but it’s definitely a niche service.

If you enjoy discovering independent filmmakers, Oscar-nominated shorts, animation, documentaries, and stories that don’t require a two-hour commitment, ShortsTV has plenty to offer.

The low price also helps. ShortsTV+ costs only $3.99 per month, while the Amazon Prime Video Channel is currently even cheaper.

On the other hand, there’s no reason to subscribe just because it’s inexpensive. If you rarely watch short films and usually prefer full-length movies, a broader movie service will probably give you more value.

If the free SHORTS channel is available to you, I’d try that first before paying for a subscription.

Final Thoughts: Is ShortsTV Worth It?

ShortsTV fills a very specific niche, and that’s what makes it interesting.

It won’t replace a full movie service, but if you enjoy short films, independent filmmakers, animation, documentaries, and Oscar-nominated shorts, there’s plenty here to explore.

The low price also makes ShortsTV easy to try without adding much to your monthly streaming bill.

My recommendation:

👉 Try the free SHORTS channel first if it’s available to you.

👉 Use the Amazon Channel if you already have Prime and want the lowest-cost paid option.

👉 Choose ShortsTV+ if you want the broader library and personalized viewing features.

For the right viewer, ShortsTV offers something most streaming services simply don’t.

I will watch what I want to watch, when I want to watch it!

Thanks for visiting,

Mark

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