Amazon TV service ‘in the works’

MIPCOM: US e-commerce giant Amazon is reportedly planning to launch its own live TV service and has been reaching out to major US studios to include their channels.

The service, which according to Bloomberg is only in the preliminary talks stage, could put Amazon in direct competition with providers like AT&T and Comcast.

Amazon has reportedly been talking to the likes of CBS and Comcast’s NBCUniversal about carrying their channels.

Other US companies are already offering a service that delivers channels over the internet, including Sony, Dish Network and Apple.

Moreover, it’s unclear how a live TV service would fit into Amazon’s existing SVoD offering, Amazon Prime Video, at this stage.

Earlier this month the company began offering members of its Prime streaming service the option to download TV series and films for offline viewing – a feature its rival Netflix has previously ruled out offering.

An Amazon representative declined to comment on the latest reports.