Amazon And Viacom Announce Expanded Multi-Year Deal Following Netflix Exit
Amazon.com and Viacom Inc. have agreed to an expanded multi-year, multi-national digital video licensing deal that will deliver hundreds of TV shows and thousands of Viacom TV episodes to Prime Instant Video. The new deal was announced less than one week after Viacom pulled all of its programming from the Netflix platform.
Under terms of the deal, Amazon Instant Video will receive access to various popular kids shows including Bubble Guppies, The Backyardigans, Team Umizoomi, Blue’s Clues, and Victorious.
Viacom will also deliver shows from its other network’s including MTV’s Awkward and Comedy Central’s Tosh.O and Workaholics.
Amazon Prime members will also received future episodes of Dora the Explorer, SpongeBob SquarePants, Fairly Odd Parents, and various other Nickelodeon based shows.
Dora the Explorer is a big win for Amazon since many Netflix subscribers voiced their anger over the show leaving the network.
Also receiving some of the deals benefits will be LOVEFiLM customers in the UK and Germany, who will begin seeing some of the programs starting this summer.
Some shows will also make their way to the Kindle FreeTime Unlimited platform, which allows children to watch video, read books, play games, and use educational apps.
Philippe Dauman, president and CEO of Viacom says of the deal:
“We are thrilled to be extending and deepening our relationship with Amazon. This innovative agreement will provide Prime members with access to even more of our best programming from our major television brands, including many digital video subscription streaming exclusives. Amazon has created a unique, brand-friendly environment for streaming entertainment and consumer products and we are excited to work with Amazon to bring customers shows they love.”
Amazon continues to prove the worth of its Prime Instant Video service which now offers 41,000 movies and TV show titles. Amazon Prime costs just $79 per year and comes equipped with free 2-day shipping on items carried by Amazon warehouse locations.
