The supply of streaming video services increases. Amazon launches Amazon Channels, a video on demand platform. It’s a premium offering of twenty-five channels in Germany and Austria and forty in the U.K. for the time being. Prime subscribers will partially or totallybenefit of the contents at lower cost than Netflix and slightly above the cheapest Sky TV package. “For the first time, Prime members in the UK and Germany will be able to choose to watch premium TV channels without having to sign up to a bundle or a contract, they can choose to pay for only what they want to watch”, said Alex Green, MD, Europe, Amazon Channels, in a statement.“From live sport to Bollywood, cult cinema to reality TV, and TV shows from popular channels like Discovery and ITV, Amazon Channels gives power back to customers to choose exactly what they want to watch.” Moreover, the recent deal with Eurosport makes it possible to add other sporting events, including Roland Garros tennis tournament and next year’s Winter Olympic Games. Amazon Channels Europe is an “evolution of our service” – Green said – “TV behaviour is changing, and Amazon has been part of that change”. Amazon already offers a similar service in the U.S.A., including premium channels such as HBO and Showtime.JB Perrette, president and chief executive of Discovery Networks International, told Financial Times that Amazon’s enormous amount of data would have helped Discovery to target ten billion screens around the world, starting from the one billion it currently hits. Nautical Channel, a Giglio Group network focused on nautical sports and lifestyle, is the only one controlled by an Italian group to be broadcasted on Amazon Channels at a monthly cost of 3.99 Euros. The contract with Amazon Media EU is a multiannual revenue sharing agreement.
Amazon Channels, a video on demand platform
