Amazon will offer its original movies and series under license on other platforms, in addition to its own Prime Video streaming service. The company announced this on Monday. The content could thus be sold to other streaming services and TV providers.
Amazon will sell its movies and series under license through a new venture, Amazon MGM Studios Distribution, writes deadline based on a company statement. This means that Amazon Originals titles such as The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Borat Subsequent Moviefilm, Goliath and Hunters made available to third parties after their first run on Prime Video, reports TechCrunch. To date, Amazon Originals have generally remained exclusive to Prime Video, although the company has previously distributed shows.
This would make the Amazon Originals content available for other streaming services, among other things. The company speaks of free streaming services, platforms that are supported with advertisements and paid streaming services. The films and series must also become available to providers that offer cable TV.
The licensing plans also include franchises from MGM, which was officially acquired by Amazon last year for $8.45 billion. MGM owns James Bond, Rocky and Creed, among others, in addition to series such as Fargo, Vikings and The Handmaid’s Tale.
Amazon MGM Studios Distribution will be led by Chris Ottinger. Ottinger previously led the distribution team at MGM. The CEO tells Deadline that the company will mainly focus on ‘flexible bundles’, with which services can choose for themselves which content they license. The licenses must become available for platforms “all over the world,” Deadline writes.