Amazon expands original content program with feature films as Apple TV adds more live sports

With access to in-demand content an increasingly important differentiator for internet streaming services, retailing giant Amazon has announced that it will move beyond television series and produce original theatre-bound movies, while Apple has struck yet another agreement to carry a live sports channel on the Apple TV with Tennis Channel Everywhere.

Amazon's plans include the production of 12 movies each year, Amazon Studios chief Roy Price said on Monday. Each film will debut in theaters before arriving on Amazon Prime Instant Video less than two months after their theatrical release, compared to the typical 9-month lag time for Hollywood films.

Seattle, Wash.-based Amazon has already experienced critical success with its Transparent television series, and will lean on Hollywood veteran Ted Hope to helm the movie program.

Unlike Amazon and industry leader Netflix, Apple has sidestepped the original content trend and continued to expand the library of licensed content available via iTunes and the Apple TV. To this end, the company recently added Tennis Channel Everywhere to the Apple TV's live sports lineup, which already includes options from ESPN, Major League Baseball, the NFL, NBA, NHL, MLS, ACC, WWE, and UFC.

Tennis fans can access live coverage either by signing in via a supported cable or satellite provider or paying a separate $69.99 yearly subscription fee for the Tennis Channel Plus service, which also enables access on the Tennis Channel's iOS apps. Highlights can be viewed without a subscription.

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27 Comments

happywaiman

said about 9 years ago

This makes sense: I mean beside live shows, who watch live TV anymore? Just get all the live shows in, then let me make a list of shows I want to watch in sequential order

thewhitefalcon

said about 9 years ago

Until Apple unlocks the ATV for any content provider I'm not buying one. As clunky as the Roku is, it does carry the content I want.

ireland

said about 9 years ago

Tim just allow Amazon to add their app or just add an App Store to ATV4

techprod1gy

said about 9 years ago

The silver bullet is to allow the user to pay for what they watch. Several models can accomplish this. I hope whatever Apple is up to they succeed. I can't help to remember the days of buying a whole crappy album just to get 1-2 songs...today I pay too much for a handful of stations and/or programs. That needs to end. Who's with me? :D

dasanman69

said about 9 years ago

[quote name="Ireland" url="/t/184371/amazon-expands-original-content-program-with-feature-films-as-apple-tv-adds-more-live-sports#post_2663250"]Tim just allow Amazon to add their app or just add an App Store to ATV4[/quote] It could be that Amazon doesn't want its app on the ATV. Now that they have their own hardware they hope people will buy a Fire TV instead.