My Cart - If you were to sit down in preparation of a binging session in front of one of our cheap LED TV sets, it’s not always Amazon Prime that comes to mind as a source of video streaming entertainment. In the UK, the big guns of Netflix, iPlayer and 4OD tend to be at the forefront of entertainment options. However, relative newbie to the scene, Amazon Prime, have just announced plans to release their first original movie.
Directed by Spike Lee, Chi-Raq aims to “shed light on the serious, but often overlooked issue of violence in inner city Chicago.” Unlike many Netflix original series’ which are only viewable through subscription to the e-commerce giant, Amazon has plans to show Chi-Raq in movie theatres as they take the concept to major studios.
The newest string to Amazon’s bow was launched in January in an attempt to produce new movies as well as to acquire original content for streaming. Having wrapped the filming last week, Chi-Raq is yet to have a confirmed release date, but shows the seriousness of intent of Amazon Studios’ promise to ramp up its production of original content to compete with the likes of Netflix and Hulu, the American advert-supported streaming site.
Last month Jay Marine, vice-president of Amazon Instant Video in Europe, stated of their intent to increase investment in original content, “We’re going to continue to double down in that area, invest more to bring our customers worldwide, more originals, more great TV series that they have never been able to see before.” Elaborating on the current online streaming marketplace, Marine states, “The reality is there’s lots of places to get videos, it’s a very competitive market, we need to provide something different.”
Having won two Golden Globes for their original series Transparent, Amazon are certainly making waves in the online streaming marketplace, and with increasing number of places to obtain great media and competition hotting-up, it can only be positive for us all as consumers.
We look forward to see what the future brings for Amazon and their movie wing. With several pilots for TV shows also having been picked up, including a television adaptation of Philip K Dick’s novel, Man in the High Castle, the future is looking bright for Amazon Prime.
Give these shows the viewing platform they deserve by treating yourself to a high quality, value for money, set-up. Speak to one of our team of friendly professionals by contacting us on 0121 327 3273 and find out what we can do to help you get the most out of your viewing experience.
