Amazon Does the Obvious, Finally: Adds Video on IMDb
Amazon (NSDQ: AMZN) has finally done what many have been asking it since the time the company bought IMDB: it has enabled video on the film and TV database/info site. The company says users can now watch 6,000 full-length feature films and TV episodes for free on IMDb.com’s video section. Would be interesting to figure out how many of the videos from Amazon VOD service on being ported over to IMDB…guess would be a low figure, as it is likely IMDB video would be used more as a promotional tool. It even says so in the release: The rotating video content is provided by CBS, Hulu, Sony Pictures Television and about 500 indie filmmakers. The content includes shows like “24”, “The Office” (both from Hulu), “Beverly Hills 90210”, “Star Trek”, and movies such as “Fever Pitch”, “Bring it On” and others.
Just last week the news came out that Amazon hired away Microsoft ad vet Lisa Utzschneider to head its online ad sales, and IMDB video will be a part of that effort as well. Earlier this year Amazon bought indie movie distribution site Withoutabox, with the plans of integrating it with IMDB. As part of that, the database site now says it is opening its platform to filmmakers and rights owners worldwide, and asking them to upload their movies/shows on it.
More details in the release.
Related StoriesPosted In: Entertainment, Movies, Media & Publishing, TV, Companies, Amazon.com, imdb
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Comments (7)
Sep 16, 2008 2:45 AM
This video is not available in your country.
Sep 16, 2008 1:34 PM
Tried one independent short… got an ad, then a black screen. No video.
Tried a star trek episode, get a car commercial, a discover card commercial, two blackberry commercials back to back, a CBS show commercial, then a tantalizing teaser frame for the trek episode with a nonfunctional play button.
This consumer is disappointed and won’t return for a while.
Sep 16, 2008 4:12 PM
great, more mindless programming
to keep my lazy ex-wife on her back
Sep 17, 2008 3:10 AM
@Geo: Well, that’s the advantage of at least being in the US and able to consume those videos for free :)
Sep 17, 2008 9:21 AM
Awesome news but too bad it’s only for the States.
Sep 17, 2008 10:48 AM
This is great! Thanks for the heads up.
Also, looks like IMDB is trying to take a piece of the YouTube pie as a way of filmmakers getting their movies distribution.
Mar 28, 2009 7:36 PM
thenk you!