Haute 100 SF: Jeff Bezos’ Amazon May Soon Begin an Online Pay-TV Service

Amazon Inc. is reportedly considering creating an online television service to allow viewers to stream channels. According to Bloomberg, the e-commerce company has reached out to major broadcasting outlets including CBS Corp. and Comcast Corp.’s NBCUniversal to discuss carrying their channels.

Currently, the discussion is in the preliminary stage, said a source to Bloomberg. However, deliberations date back several months. The source opted to stay anonymous.

Presently, Amazon offers an on-demand video service synonymous to the streaming service offered by Netflix Inc.

Most recently, Amazon announced a new multi-year, multi-series agreement to make Prime Video the exclusive subscription streaming home for three new CBS summer series through 2018. The first of the new series to debut will be BrainDead, which Prime members in the U.S. will be able to stream just four days after broadcast at no additional charge to their membership.

In a press release, Brad Beale, Amazon Vice President of Digital Video Content Acquisition, said, “Prime members have loved having access to series like Under the Dome and Extant just four days after broadcast, and we’re excited to continue to offer in-season availability of more great CBS summer series over the next three years. We are also always working to ensure our Prime members have the best selection, and we know they will continue to enjoy unlimited access to a wide array of CBS titles to binge-watch anytime, anywhere.”

“We’re thrilled to build on our relationship with Amazon with new original summer series and more programming from CBS and SHOWTIME,” said Scott Koondel, Chief Corporate Licensing Officer, CBS Corporation. “With a truly original, genre-bending concept from outstanding creative auspices, BrainDead will be one of the most talked-about shows next summer by CBS viewers and Prime members.”

In addition, this new deal will extend and expand CBS and SHOWTIME titles available to Prime members. Titles like Medium, The Tudors, The L Word, the original Twin Peaks series, America’s Next Top Model, I Love Lucy, Penn & Teller, The Amazing Race, MacGyver,Brotherhood and Sabrina, the Teenage Witch will also become available.

Photo via Wikimedia Commons