August 19, 2011
By the ZippyCart Content Team
Amazon, in their never-ending quest to do…well…everything, announce that their Amazon Instant video service now gives users access to more than 100,000 titles, with more than 15,000 in HD. Amazon Prime subscribers now have access to over 9,000 commercial-free streaming movies and TV shows. Amazon Prime is the ecommerce solution’s premium service, which includes free 2-day shipping on any order, and was recently bundled with movie and TV viewing services as an added bonus.
When the news was first announced that Amazon Prime would start including movies, no one was overly excited the initial round of content was somewhat lackluster. With the then-still-untouchable Netflix slinging DVDs and streaming video like there was no tomorrow, not many people gave the ecommerce solution’s new service much thought. The dominant sentiment was “Well, if you have Amazon Prime, it’s nice and all. But no one is going to get Amazon Prime just for this.” If you were on the fence about Prime before, the expansion to 9,000 unique pieces of video content for free could just push you over the edge.
The key to Amazon’s expanded offerings comes from an agreement with NBCUniversal and CBS Corp. As more and more streaming options open up online, the key to victory is going to be content agreements. Amazon’s deal allows their users to rent or buy episodes of popular network shows the very next day via their ecommerce solution. This is a divergence from Hulu’s model, which recently started barring non-TV-subscribers from accessing network content the day after it aired.
Steve Oliver, director of video at Amazon, offered the following:
“We are focused on offering our customers the very best selection and are always working to expand our already extensive list of great video content. The 100,000 titles on Amazon Instant Video range from new hit blockbusters to old favorites, with more than 15,000 of those titles available in HD, and popular TV shows available the day after they first air.”
Amazon Instant Video downloads can also be accessed via the cloud by any device connected to the internet, giving users more flexibility in how they enjoy their content. As ecommerce solutions continue to diversify, offering more and more products through a variety of channels, one has to wonder: what’s next for Amazon and what’s next for digital content?
Jack Cieslak grew up in New York State where he attended the New School, emerging with a degree in Creative Writing. Seattle drew him in with its focus on personal health and fitness, as well as the environment, and of course the great weather. Three-thousand miles later he is all dug in and ready to throw himself wholeheartedly into writing of all types - including reporting new developments in e-commerce, and places where social media and e-commerce cross paths. Jack revels in a challenge, whether it's writing, running, or lifting heavy objects - Jack says "bring it."
