Amazon has just launched a new ad-supported video service called Amazon Video Direct directly aimed at competing with Google’s (or Alphabet’s) YouTube service. Amazon’s current video programming competes with streaming services such as Netflix, with Amazon being one of the only other players in the field creating original programming. The relatively new YouTube Red service aims to get YouTube into that game, and it seems Amazon has fired back.
"It's an amazing time to be a content creator. There are more options for distribution than ever before and with Amazon Video Direct, for the first time, there's a self-service option for video providers to get their content into a premium streaming subscription service,” Vice President of Amazon Video Jim Freeman said in a press release. “We're excited to make it even easier for content creators to find an audience, and for that audience to find great content."
Content creators will have many more options on Amazon Video Direct in terms of controlling pricing of and payment for their content. YouTube, which has come under fire lately because of how easy it is to take down a revenue generating content with bogus copyright claims, currently takes about 50 percent of ad revenue from videos.
On Amazon Video Direct, however, content creators will be able to decide if their videos will be free, rentable, subscription-based, available only to Prime members or even ownable, like music on the iTunes Store.
Amazon Video Direct will offer streaming quality levels up to 4K HD, and will allow users to download content on mobile devices for offline viewing.
Current Amazon Video Direct content creator partners include The Guardian , Mashable, Mattel, StyleHaul, Kin Community, Jash, TYT Network, Baby Einstein, Business Insider, Conde Nast Entertainment, HowStuffWorks, Samuel Goldwyn Films, Synergetic Distribution, Kino Nation, Journeyman Pictures, Pro Guitar Lessons, Machinima, CJ Entertainment America and Xive TV.
