Tag Archives: PrimeInstantVideo

Amazon Prime is the first subscription video service with an offline option, on Kindle HDX

Posted on by

Amazon Prime is the first subscription video service with an offline option, on Kindle HDX

As a part of delivering its newest lineup of Kindle Fire HDX tablets with Fire OS 3.0, Amazon also added a new feature to its Prime Instant Video subscription plan that Netflix, Hulu and the rest don't have: downloads. The company told AllThingsD that this ability applies to "tens of thousands" of items from NBC, Viacom, Sony, Warner Bros. and CBS, with downloads ready for up to 30 days, and viewable for up to 48 hours after users start watching. Amazon hasn't announced any plans to bring the feature to its older slates or other platforms, nor has it shared other details about how it works. We'll have to wait and see if the competition negotiates / implements similar features soon -- that we can't even watch some OITNB or House of Cards stored on a tablet during a plane ride without going to some third party tech like PlayOn seems absolutely silly.

Update: As a point of clarification, Amazon's product description reveals that offline playback for Amazon Prime videos is also possible on the newly released Kindle Fire HD. [Thanks, Quinn]

Filed under: , , ,

Comments

Source: Amazon

Amazon Prime Instant Video inks deal with Miramax, lets you Kill Bill on demand

Posted on by

Amazon Prime Instant Video inks deal with Miramax, lets you Kill Bill on demand

Amazon's Prime Instant Video has long trailed behind Netflix in terms of catalog size and quality, but today's Miramax licensing deal should give it a much needed competitive boost. All the art house, indie and cult flicks you've likely amassed into a cherished DVD collection -- Trainspotting, Amélie and Pulp Fiction, anyone? --- are now available to stream to any device compatible with Prime Instant Video. So if you've let your Tarantino quotes get rusty, now's the perfect time to brush up. You got that hunny bunny? Yeah, we thought so.

Filed under: , , ,

Comments

Five Amazon pilots get the green light

Posted on by

Five Amazon pilots get the green light

Well, it seems that you, the web video watching public, has spoken. Amazon announced today that it has whittled its robust list of pilots down to five titles, thanks to viewers like you. Winners will be turned into series available to users of Amazon Prime Instant Video and Lovefilm later this year and in early 2014. That list includes the John Goodman political comedy Alpha House, the startup-centric Betas and the kids series Annebots, Creative Galaxy and Tumbleleaf. For the full press release and quotes from the folks behind the series being various states of "thrilled," click on through the break.

Filed under: ,

Comments

Amazon lands Prime Instant Video exclusives for five NBCUniversal shows

Posted on by

Amazon lands Prime Instant Video exclusives for five NBCUniversal shows

Amazon is still determined to snag every TV exclusive possible, and it just scored one of its better deals -- or at least, one of the more forward-thinking. It now has the sole unlimited subscription streaming rights to the previous seasons of five NBCUniversal shows. The highlight could be Hannibal, which will reach the service later this year; gamers may also like the crossover SyFy series Defiance, which should be ready in early 2014. Those who just can't wait to stream something will get their fill through exclusives for Covert Affairs, Grimm and Suits, all of which are in the catalog today. Amazon isn't completely shutting out rivals like Netflix, however: its expanded NBCU deal includes regular deals for Alphas, Eureka, Smash, Warehouse 13 and a collection of children's shows destined for Kindle FreeTime Unlimited. While we'd prefer that there be as few exclusives as possible, there's no question that some Prime members will feel better about springing for that $79 yearly fee.

[Thanks, John]

Filed under: , , ,

Comments

Source: Amazon

Amazon corrals FX’s Justified to exclusive Prime Instant Video deal

Posted on by

Amazon corrals exclusive online distribution for FX's 'Justified'

If Amazon's recent foray into British period drama leaves you cold, its Prime Instant Video service now has something grittier on tap: The FX Network's Justified. Thanks to a new deal with Sony Pictures Television, you can download the western-style crime series for no additional cost if you're a subscriber on the $79 yearly service. It was up for grabs at $1.99 a pop on Instant Video before, where Amazon said it was one of its most popular buys, and now Prime subscribers can grab episodes from seasons one through three. Season four will arrive after its current run on FX concludes, though individual episodes of the latter are available on Instant right after they air, if you're willing to pay $1.99. Amazon also added all seven seasons of Sony's The Shield to Prime Instant, so if you're looking to go on a crime spree, check the PR after the break.

Filed under: , ,

Comments

Amazon expands CBS content on Prime Instant Video, lands an Under the Dome exclusive

Posted on by

Amazon expands CBS content on Prime Instant Video, lands an Under the Dome exclusive

Amazon only managed to land a slice of CBS' library for Prime Instant Video on the first pass; it's coming back for a second helping, including one of its first cracks at genuinely recent content from the network. A widened licensing deal gives subscribers access to further CBS and Showtime series that include Jericho, The L Word and an unspecified number of other shows. And for those intrigued by the broadcaster's upcoming adaptation of Stephen King's Under the Dome, Amazon will be the only choice for many viewers: Prime Instant Video will be the exclusive home for subscription streaming and purchased downloads of the series, delivering streaming episodes about four days after their air date in order to shelter CBS' traditional advertisers. Amazon may not have have completely locked in an audience between this and the Downton Abbey deal, but the recent set of exclusives is likely to leave Netflix feeling nervous.

Filed under: , ,

Comments

Source: Amazon Instant Video

Amazon scores Downton Abbey as a subscription streaming exclusive from June 18th (update: timing leak)

Posted on by

Amazon scores Downton Abbey as a subscription streaming exclusive

Anyone who's planning to catch up on Downton Abbey on their preferred service may want to plan a viewing marathon very soon: Amazon has struck a deal to become the exclusive home of the period drama on subscription-based streaming video platforms. Starting June 18th, only those Amazon Prime Instant Video members will have access to the third season and beyond on a commercial service without paying per show. The terms don't stop there -- seasons one and two will be pulled from other services later on in the year. While we're sure Kindle Fire owners will be happy, the move won't thrill those who want more of a choice as to how they keep up on their pseudo-historical intrigue.

Update: We've since gotten in touch with a source near the agreement that supports what The Verge heard: season one will disappear from Netflix on July 1st.

Filed under: , ,

Comments

Amazon beta tests ‘Instant Video Finder’ feature

Posted on by

Amazon beta tests 'Instant Video Finder' feature

The video streaming arena is only seeing more competition in 2013, and Amazon's latest attempt to get a leg up is the "Instant Video Finder" feature it just announced it's beta testing. Similar to the way Netflix and others have attempted to sort movies by more than just the top few genre categories, it sorts flicks by more nuanced definitions like Feel-Good, Nonlinear or Sea Adventure. What categories you see are based on "viewing history for genre, theme, plot, and mood." So, can an algorithm (and probably some careful categorizing by real human viewers on the back end) solve the problem of "57,000 video on-demand options, but nothing is on"? Hit the source link and try it out yourself.

Filed under: , ,

Comments

Via: Amazon (Twitter)

Source: Amazon Instant Video Finder

Amazon, A&E deal brings Pawn Stars, Storage Wars and Dance Moms to Prime Instant Video

Posted on by

Amazon, A&E deal brings Pawn Stars, Storage Wars and Dance Moms to Prime Instant Video

Those in need of another reason to stare at their computer screen for long stretches of time will be pleased to learn that Amazon has struck a deal with A&E Networks that'll be bringing shows from its titular network, along with History, Bio and Lifetime to the online retailer's Prime Instant Video service. Amongst the arty entertainment offerings are Pawn Stars, Storage Wars and Dance Moms, which users will be able to consume en masse on a number of devices including the iPad, iPhone, Roku, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and Wii U.

Continue reading Amazon, A&E deal brings Pawn Stars, Storage Wars and Dance Moms to Prime Instant Video

Filed under: , ,

Comments

Amazon Studios orders six original comedy pilots for its Prime Instant Video service

Posted on by

Amazon Studios puts six original comedy series into pilot production

After putting out an open call for original content last May, Amazon Studios is ready to begin production on six comedy pilots. Culled from a writer base consisting of industry vets (some award winning, some from the minds of Big Bang Theory stars, some backed by the adorably creepy Kristen Schaal) and unknowns, these scripted entries will be hosted for free on the company's Instant Video platform once completed. And since there's no better focus group than an existing customer base, Amazon intends take user feedback into account when selecting which of these pilots goes into full production. Series that do make it past that final greenlight will end up on the mega e-retailer's Instant Video and Lovefilm portals as exclusive content for Prime subscribers. Head past the break to check out the full list of eligible shows.

Continue reading Amazon Studios orders six original comedy pilots for its Prime Instant Video service

Filed under: , ,

Comments