Prime Video in 2026: From 'Young Sherlock' to the NBA and the Best Smart TVs
The start of 2026 marks another watershed moment for streaming services down under. It's no longer enough just to have a subscription; you need to know how to get the absolute best out of the experience. And right now, there's one service making headlines, both for its content and the way we consume it: Amazon Prime Video.
Guy Ritchie gives us the most unhinged Sherlock yet
The debate is raging in lunchrooms across the country, and it's all about the same thing: Has Guy Ritchie just revived or completely parodied the Holmes mythology? His new series, delving into a young Sherlock's first cases in 1890s London, is exactly as stylised and adrenaline-fuelled as you'd expect. Hero Fiennes Tiffin in the lead role as the young detective is a ripper of a find – he nails the balance between genius-level arrogance and raw vulnerability. The series is, in every way, crafted to be the first massive streaming phenomenon of the year on Prime Video, and it proves Amazon can definitely mix it with the big boys when it comes to original drama.
The NBA lands in your lounge room: Hoops with a local feel
For those of us with a passion for sport, Prime Video has genuinely changed the game. I'm talking, of course, about NBA on Prime Video. It's not just the games; it's a whole production that feels like they've actually listened to the fans. The picture quality in 4K HDR is so crisp you can almost hear the squeak of the floor under LeBron James' shoes, and the expert panel before and after the games actually manages to deliver genuine insight instead of just waffle. It's become a regular thing in my house to wind down for the week with a bit of NBA on the big screen.
Finding the perfect match: The TV that makes all the difference
But all this talk about content is pointless if you're squinting at a screen from the stone age. An older mate called the other day complaining the basketball was blurry. I had to break it to him gently: "It's your telly, mate." To get the full Amazon Prime Video experience, especially with sports and the dark scenes in "Young Sherlock", you need a screen that can keep up. Right now, there are two models I keep recommending to friends and family, depending on what they need:
- Xiaomi F2 Smart Fire TV 43 inches (108 cm): For anyone wanting to squeeze every drop out of their subscription without breaking the bank. It has Fire TV built-in, so Prime Video and Netflix are right there. The frameless metal chassis looks way more expensive than it is, and with HDR10 and HDMI 2.1 you get great colours and support for the latest gear. It's perfect for the bedroom or a smaller living room, and with Alexa voice control, you won't be hunting for the remote halfway through a crime drama.
- Sony X90L 75 inch 4K LED Smart TV: Now we're talking the big leagues. If you're forking out for one of these, it's because you're serious about the experience. Sony's picture processor is second to none, especially when it comes to upscaling regular telly, but it really comes into its own with 4K HDR content from Prime Video. The 75 inches (that's 190 cm across) turns your lounge room into a cinema. Whether it's a dramatic sunset in a series or fast-paced action on the basketball court, the Sony X90L delivers with a depth and clarity that makes it tough to go back to a smaller screen.
The new reality of streaming
This is the reality in 2026. It's no longer enough to just flick the TV on. We need to navigate a sea of content, find those hidden gems like the new Holmes series, and make sure our hardware can keep up with the times. Whether you're into Prime Video's growing sports coverage, or you just want the best picture quality for your Friday night couch session, it's all about choosing wisely. Because when Guy Ritchie's camera whips through the foggy London streets, or Kevin Durant lines up for a three, the experience should be absolutely spot on.