Neil Hughes
Amazon is reportedly negotiating with major entertainment companies for the rights to rebroadcast content live over the Internet as part of a new pay TV service from the online retailer.
Amazon recently got into the original content business with its own exclusive programming for the Amazon Prime service. But the new direction for the company, revealed on Tuesday by The Wall Street Journal, which see Amazon act as more of a cable operator, offering existing channels with live programming streaming over the Internet.
The company's current Prime Instant Video service offers content on demand, including original comedies like "Alpha House" and "Betas," along with children's programs "Annebots," "Tumbleaf," and "Creative Galaxy."
While Amazon is said to be in talks with major content providers, no specific parties were named on Tuesday's report. In addition, the Journal said the plans are in the "early stages," which suggests that a launch may not be imminent.
In addition, the report noted that similar initiatives are being pursued by Sony and Google. However, it made no mention of Apple, which has been rumored to be pursuing such deals in the past as part of its living room "hobby."
Amazon's current Instant Video iPhone app.
Late last year, reports suggested that Amazon is planning to launch its own set-top box hardware, akin to the Apple TV, this spring. Amazon's hardware is said to be code-named "Cinnamon," and reports have suggested it would be capable of doing expected living room tasks such as streaming movies, TV shows and music.
It was also said that Amazon has been in negotiations with cable companies and other content providers to build their own apps for the device.
Apple, meanwhile, is also rumored to be working on its own hardware refresh for the Apple TV. The last time the company's living room hardware was given an update was March 2012, though a number of subsequent software updates have added new features and channels.
Update: Amazon rebuffed the reports of an over-the-top TV service in an email to USA Today. According to spokesman Drew Herdener, the company will instead continue to push Prime Instant Video and crete original shows at Amazon Studios.
Andrew O'Hara
Malcolm Owen
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Christine McKee
15 Comments
If networks and studios are afraid to enter into agreements with Apple that might 'do to movies and tv what they did to music', why in the world would they get into bed with Amazon, who's whole business model is to drive the price of everything they touch into the dirt?
If networks and studios are afraid to enter into agreements with Apple that might 'do to movies and tv what they did to music', why in the world would they get into bed with Amazon, who's whole business model is to drive the price of everything they touch into the dirt?
Just like their ebook pricing, they'll take a loss with each content subscription….but they'll just make up for it with volume.
/s
It's inevitable that some all-in-one TV streaming service will be available for the masses. Services like Aereo is smacking the local TV service and will only get worse. Folks in the entertainment business have to do something. They have already admitted ages ago that they just don't have the technical know-how to pull of a successful online service. Sign with someone (preferable Apple) that knows how to do it right. I'd love nothing more than to dump my cable provider and watch all my regular TV stuff via streaming. The old model is slowly becoming obsolete.
Yeah and it's also inevitable that we will start having to pay for internet usage by how much we use. Cable/Communication companies are going to have to make up for the fact we are no longer paying for a TV subscription!
[quote name="GQB" url="/t/161674/amazon-seeks-licenses-for-new-pay-tv-service-with-live-channels-report#post_2460718"]If networks and studios are afraid to enter into agreements with Apple that might 'do to movies and tv what they did to music', why in the world would they get into bed with Amazon, who's whole business model is to drive the price of everything they touch into the dirt?[/quote] Amazon already sells TV shows/movies which are priced like everyone else.