YouTube, Netflix, Hulu, Amazon, LoveFilm Announce Content Deals
It was a busy weekend for online and streaming content providers, as YouTube, Netflix, Hulu, Amazon, and LoveFilm all announced significant expansion plans or content deals.
YouTube is making a play to be more than a user-generated content destination with the addition of over 100 channels, many tied to celebrities or branded properties. Tony Hawk, Stan Lee, Reuters, Red Bull, and Madonna will all take part in creating channels, the site announced on Friday. The original channels will begin appearing next month and continue over the next year.
Netflix, strongly in need of good news to report, announced on Sunday that it was continuing its licensing deal with ABC. U.S. Subscribers will continue to be able to stream shows from ABC, ABC Family, and Disney Channel.
But Netflix wasn't the only streamer with an ABC/Disney deal: Amazon today announced a licensing agreement for Amazon Prime that will allow members to view content from the same three channels, as well as Marvel animated superhero shows. Amazon noted that Kindle Fire customers will get one month of Amazon Prime for free. With Netflix sagging and the Kindle Fire the hot device this holiday, Amazon has a golden shot to boost Amazon Prime membership.
Hulu announced on Friday that Hulu and Hulu Plus viewers will soon be able to watch current season shows from the CW. That gives it a boost to a younger demographic and to those looking for catch-up TV. CW shows will begin arriving later this year.
Finally, LoveFilm, the U.K.-based streaming service acquired by Amazon, signed a deal with Paramount Studios. The service secured exclusive streaming rights to the studio's content within Germany. The multi-year deal includes first-run films.
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