If you've ever found yourself lost in a TV show after a long break or missed a key scene while grabbing a snack, Prime Video has just the tool for you. Amazon's streaming platform is rolling out a new feature called X-Ray Recaps, a generative AI-powered solution that aims to catch viewers up on what they've missed—without the hassle of rewinding or risking spoilers.
X-Ray Recaps can generate concise summaries of entire seasons, specific episodes, or even individual scenes—all tailored to the exact point where you left off. Whether you've forgotten a crucial cliffhanger from a previous season or need a quick reminder of what just happened, this feature helps you jump back into your favourite shows seamlessly. According to Amazon, these summaries are designed to be easy-to-digest, providing a quick refresher on key plot points and character arcs right when you need them.
This new feature builds on Prime Video's existing X-Ray offering, which already provides trivia, behind-the-scenes insights, and cast information during playback. By integrating generative AI, X-Ray Recaps goes a step further, summarising complex storylines on demand. "With the creation of X-Ray Recaps, we’re directly addressing a common problem customers face when streaming content: forgetting where they left off," explained Adam Gray, Vice President of Product at Prime Video. The goal, he said, is to enhance the viewing experience by helping audiences get back to the core of what they love without unnecessary interruptions.
The technology behind X-Ray Recaps is powered by Amazon Bedrock, an AWS service for building scalable generative AI applications. Using foundational AI models alongside Amazon SageMaker—Amazon's machine learning platform—X-Ray Recaps analyses video segments and dialogue to create spoiler-free summaries that help viewers keep up without ruining upcoming twists. In practical terms, this means you can access a recap from the Prime Video detail page or during playback, ensuring you’re up to speed, whether you're mid-season or just revisiting an old favourite.
Currently in beta, X-Ray Recaps is first available to Fire TV users in the U.S., with broader support expected by the end of the year. At launch, the feature will be available for Amazon MGM Studios Originals, including popular titles like Daisy Jones & The Six, Mr. & Mrs. Smith, The Wheel of Time, and The Boys. As generative AI continues to make inroads into the streaming landscape, X-Ray Recaps could set a new standard for how viewers stay connected to complex storylines without sacrificing the immersive experience.