An examination of Amazon Prime Video's code reveals that Amazon is building one of YouTube TV's best features: multi-view. This would be a game changer, literally, for one of the best streaming services.

The potential new feature was discovered by Android Authority in one of their regular APK dives; in the latest build of the Prime Video app, version 3.0.389, they found code strings like “exit_multiview_text” These strings indicate that Amazon is using the “exit_multiview_text” code string. From these strings, it appears that Amazon is working on some version of Multiview that would allow viewers to configure what is shown in different boxes.

Multiview, especially the way YouTube TV uses this feature, is ideal for live sports like NFL Sunday Ticket and March Madness. There, up to four streams can be watched simultaneously; YouTube TV has added the ability to stream non-sports content, but most people use it for sports. This year, the company added the ability to use a basic version of Multiview in its mobile app.

Amazon has had a clear ambition to add live sports to Prime Video for several years. For the past few seasons, Prime has streamed NFL Thursday Night Football and recently signed an 11-year deal to stream NBA and WNBA games.

One bit of code appears to be Amazon's effort to add a multi-view button to the mobile Prime Video app, especially on Android. That code makes it clear that users cannot rewind, pause, or skip ahead in multi-view, pointing to a more live offering.

The code indicates “Android_player,” which points to integration of the TV app or Prime Video TV app, but it is not clear how many streams can be combined into that version of Multiview.

So far, based on what has been found, these strings are a start, but we don't know how Amazon's version of Multiview will work. will there be more than four streams? Can you build a multiview with the games or shows you want to watch, or is it predetermined?

It is also unclear how far along Amazon is in the process of building multiviews, so we may see this feature soon or never, although the APK teardown gives us a hint of what the company is building, feature may change or be cancelled in the meantime.