Amazon.com is bringing Showtime, Starz, AMC and dozens of other video providers to Prime members through a new streaming subscription program. Amazon says additional networks will be added in the future.
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“We’re excited to work with Amazon to offer our streaming service featuring all of our award-winning original series, plus our exclusive sports, news-making documentaries and blockbuster movies, to millions of Prime users”, said David Nevins, President, Showtime Networks Inc.
With the Streaming Partners Program, Prime members can add video subscriptions to their memberships and will get free trials, self-service cancellation of any subscription and special Prime member pricing.
Amazon sells a streaming box and stick called Fire TV through which customers can stream the Prime service, as well as Netflix, Hulu and other apps.
The Streaming Partners Program also touts IMDB X-Ray integration, unified search and browse across subscriptions, and unified voice search on Fire TV. It’s also important to remember that Amazon has been a longtime partner with HBO, making it a company that now has ties to the three most influential premium cable players (note: HBO Now is not available as part of Streaming Partners Program at launch).
How about a little Homeland with that Amazon Prime membership? Interestingly, this is the first time Starz has made a decision to offer its content on OTT basis.
Amazon announced almost 30 channels that are now available through Streaming Partners. Other channels on the list include Acorn TV, Smithsonian Earth, IndieFlix Shorts and Ring TV Boxing. Amazon is now embroiled in a dispute with both companies, and has yet to extend Prime video support to their platforms.
On the user side, in addition to free trials and discounts on the individual stream subscriptions, Amazon is hoping that the fact that they are already paying for Prime and watching video on Amazon will lure people to adding more services in that single account. For $3 to $5 each a month, customers can subscribe to Shudder, Gaia or Urban Movie Channel, for example. All are pushing the boundaries of how to package movies and TV shows to best entice consumers fed up with expensive cable packages and younger viewers whose entertainment experience revolves around online options rather than traditional TV.
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All the same, it’s clear that Amazon is positioning itself as a bundle replacement for cord cutters, who often have to sign up at multiple sites or else accept that they’ll miss out on some shows.
