Amazon may add 24/7 live news, sports and linear shows to Prime Video according to recently discovered job listings
- The platform may dip its toes into 24/7 linear programming
- Job listings and an anonymous source have corroborated Amazon’s intention
- Specific programming partners have yet to be identified
Amazon may be adding live TV to its list of services offered through Prime Video.
According to a report from Protocol, a source at the e-commerce giant says it has been ‘actively pursuing’ deals to license live TV and other ‘linear programming.’
The source also told Protocol, ‘You should assume they’re talking to everybody’ in regard to who the partners may be.
Prime Video may get a host of new live programming according to job listings and an anonymous source cited by a report from Protocol
The reports suggest that programming will include ‘live news, music and sports as well as scheduled movies and TV show showings.’
Protocol’s report appears to be corroborated by job listings sent out by the company throughout the past several weeks.
One job listing discovered by the outlet makes reference to Amazon’s initial foray into live TV via the NFL’s Thursday Night Football and adds that the next evolution will be ‘linear television.’
‘Linear (24/7 television or broadcast programming) is one of the key options for Prime Video customers. Although video on demand is on the rise, the global viewing hours weighs in favor of live or scheduled TV and OTT linear streaming is predicted to grow by 64% in next two years,’ the listing reads.
‘We in Prime Video Catalog are building next gen linear catalog systems to provide best-in-class Linear TV experience to Prime Video customers. It is Day 1 for the linear TV experience on Prime Video.’
As noted by Protocol, Amazon will look to avoid the fates of similar ventures into live TV programming by YouTube, Sling and Playstation VUE TV – all of which have been hindered by hefty licensing fees.
To mitigate the cost of licensing too much programming, Amazon could supplement its linear channels with feeds from similar companies that already license content to Roku and Pluto, Protocol notes.