Amazon gets access to Disney-ABC content for the first time

By Mike Flacy October 31, 2011

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Very similar to the contract renewal announcement out of Netflix earlier today, Amazon has sealed a deal with Disney-ABC Television that brings more content to the Prime Instant video streaming service. Designed to help beef up streaming content before the launch of the upcoming Kindle Fire, Amazon gets access to popular television programs such as Grey’s Anatomy and Lost. Other announced shows include Felicity, Greek, The Secret Life of the American Teenager, the Disney Channel’s Phineas & Ferb and animated series from Marvel such as X-Men Evolution, Spider-Man, Iron Man: Extremis and Thor & Loki: Blood Brothers. While new episodes of shows currently on the air likely won’t be included on the service until the following season, the deal includes all seasons of the most popular shows.

With the Disney-ABC Television deal in place, Amazon is on track to hit 13,000 streaming titles by early next year. Earlier this year, Amazon struck deals with both Fox and CBS to increase the amount of streaming titles available for Amazon Prime customers as well as provide more variety. Amazon Prime subscribers pay $79.99 a year or approximately $6.66 a month for free 2-day shipping on all items as well as access to streaming content over Prime Instant. Anyone that purchases a Kindle Fire will get a free month of Amazon Prime, likely an attempt to attract more subscribers with access to streaming video on the tablet.

Compared to the Netflix deal, Amazon’s partnership offers far less content from Disney-ABC. For instance, Netflix will have access to ABC shows like Desperate Housewives and Private Practice. Also unique to the Netflix deal, new seasons of Disney-ABC will become available 30 days after the last episode of the season airs. However, Amazon’s total licensing agreement is likely far less expensive than the amount of money Netflix pays to keep that content available for streaming customers.

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