Viacom deal brings MTV, Comedy Central, Nickelodeon shows to Amazon Prime
The latest deal is another example of how Amazon continues to enhance its content offerings to better compete with services like Netflix as well as Apple's iTunes. The Viacom agreement brings 2,000 new titles to Amazon Prime Instant Video.
New shows available to those who subscribe to the $79-per-year Amazon Prime service include Nickelodeon's "Avatar: The Last Airbender," "Dora the Explorer," iClarly," and "Yo Gabba Gabba;" Comedy Central's "Chappelle's Show," "The Sarah Silverman Program," and "Strangers with Candy;" MTV's "The Real World," and "Jersey Shore;" and TV Land's "Hot in Cleveland."
In addition to access to the Prime Instant Video content, subscribers also receive free two-day shipping on millions of items sold through Amazon. Eligible orders can also be upgraded to overnight shipping for $3.99.
Prime Instant Videos can be viewed on Amazon's color touchscreen tablet, the Kindle Fire, as well as Mac, PC, Roku, and select TVs, set-top boxes and Blu-ray players.
The deal was made official only hours after rumors first surfaced that Amazon was near finalizing a deal with Viacom for video content. The Web video licensing agreement with Viacom is in addition to existing Amazon Prime deals with Fox, CBS, NBC Universal, Walt Disney, Warner Bros., and Sony.
Though Amazon does compete with Apple's iTunes for the sale of music, movies and TV shows, the online retailer's primary focus is said to be taking on Netflix in the subscription video market. Apple does not offer a subscription video option, but years ago was said to have pursued subscription TV deals with content providers, though those plans never came to be.
30 Comments
You know, if Amazon really wants this video service to compete with iTunes (and looking at the fact at they make money off content, not devices), they really need to come out with an iOS client. I'm really surprised that they haven't yet, and the question for me is why not?
You know, if Amazon really wants this video service to compete with iTunes (and looking at the fact at they make money off content, not devices), they really need to come out with an iOS client. I'm really surprised that they haven't yet, and the question for me is why not?
I don't know about iPhone/Pod but the real need is for the ability to watch Amazon Prime on an AppleTV. There are a few content channels on AppleTV, but it is obviously not trivial to get on there. If the AppleTV were opened up to apps, this would've been done a long time ago.
FWIW, we have an AppleTV and bought a Roku just for Amazon Prime. The AppleTV doesn't get used much anymore. Roku is excellent for the internets, but doesn't get stuff off my content server, so we still need both.
BTW, for video, having Amazon Prime for the great deal of unlimited free stuff (and the free shipping on material stuff) is worlds better than iTunes. It's a real cable replacement.
You know, if Amazon really wants this video service to compete with iTunes (and looking at the fact at they make money off content, not devices), they really need to come out with an iOS client. I'm really surprised that they haven't yet, and the question for me is why not?
Woo hoo ! $79 / yr to watch the Snooki creature and Dora the Explorer!
Prime !
Even though I am an Amazon Prime member, I have not really made use of their streaming video content. The main reason? I can't get it to my main TV! I have the AppleTV and an Xbox 360 that should be capable. Please?
I do have a Roku on a secondary TV in the kitchen, but it doesn't get used as much, and the UI is tedious to browse shows with...
I wonder if Amazon is holding back on iOS/AppleTV support to favor their own products such as the Kindle Fire? Or if they are trying to build up a content base before really pushing it out to users?
Woo hoo ! $79 / yr to watch the Snooki creature and Dora the Explorer!
Prime !
I'm going to assume you've never used Prime Instant Videos. It really is a good service, comparable to Netlix, at least with things I've wanted to watch. But the big thing for me with Prime is the free 2-day shipping. That alone has paid for my Prime subscription, the other stuff is just icing on the cake.