In an effort to tempt more customers to its video streaming service, Amazon announced today that it has signed a licensing deal with CBS Television, allowing Prime Instant Video customers to watch episodes of the TV adaptation of Stephen King novel Under The Dome four days after it is initially broadcast.
The series, which will debut on CBS on June 24, follows the announcement that Amazon had effectively stolen licensing rights to BBC (and PBS) hit Downtown Abbey from Netflix. Today’s news demonstrates that neither side intends to back down in the war for exclusive content.
While both Amazon and Netflix are focusing on original content to draw in new subscribers, gaining access to on-demand rights for popular cable and pay-TV shows is still a high priority for the two companies.
Last year, Netflix signed an exclusive multi-year deal with Disney, which will see theatrical releases from 2016 come to the service. Disney, Walt Disney Animation Studios, Pixar Animation Studios, Marvel Studios and Disneynature titles will all be included.
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Netflix also recently launched House of Cards (starring Kevin Spacey) in the US, Europe and South America, making available all episodes immediately, turning the network broadcasting model on its head.
The new CBS drama is produced by Steven Spielberg’s Amblin Television and focuses on “a small New England town that is suddenly and inexplicably sealed off from the rest of the world by an enormous transparent dome.”
The book was a bestseller and was was one of Amazon’s top books and Kindle downloads in 2009.
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