In an effort to tempt more customers to its video streaming service, Amazon announced on Monday 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. Monday’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.
About Shelly Palmer
Shelly Palmer is the Professor of Advanced Media in Residence at Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications and CEO of The Palmer Group, a consulting practice that helps Fortune 500 companies with technology, media and marketing. Named LinkedIn’s “Top Voice in Technology,” he covers tech and business for Good Day New York, is a regular commentator on CNN and writes a popular daily business blog. He's a bestselling author, and the creator of the popular, free online course, Generative AI for Execs. Follow @shellypalmer or visit shellypalmer.com.