Amazon trying to launch TV, movie subscriber service: WSJ

Afp
Wednesday 01 September 2010 00:00 BST
Comments
(Yuri Arcurs)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Amazon is seeking to launch a service that would give paying subscribers unlimited access to television shows and movies over the Internet, The Wall Street Journal said Tuesday.

The newspaper, citing "people with knowledge of the proposal," said the move is a bid by Amazon to take on movie service Netflix and grab a bigger slice of the online TV business.

It said the Seattle-based company has proposed the Web-based subscription service to several major media companies including NBC Universal, Time Warner and Viacom among others.

The Journal said Amazon would like to launch its new video service in time for the holiday season, "but it is unclear if any media company intends to participate."

It said the plan could could be delayed or shelved if not enough companies sign on.

The service would be viewable on the Internet or through devices such as Web-connected TVs or Xbox 360 videogame consoles that play television shows and movies Amazon already sells on an individual basis, the newspaper said.

Like Apple's iTunes, Amazon currently offers TV shows for 1.99 dollars per episode.

The Journal said subscriptions could be bundled with the Amazon Prime service that gives offers free shipping on purchases.

It said spokesmen for Amazon, NBC Universal, Time Warner and Viacom declined to comment on the proposed service.

cl /fgf

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in