AMAZON PRIME SIGNS DEAL FOR NEW MOVIES

Stepping up its rivalry with Netflix, Amazon Prime has signed an exclusive deal with the new film studio A24 to stream its current and forthcoming movies following their release on DVD and Blu-ray. It is Amazon’s first deal with a movie studio, although it has signed numerous deals for exclusive off-network TV programming. Among the films being offered are Spring Breakers, starring James Franco, Vanessa Hudgens and Selena Gomez; Ginger & Rosa, starring Elle Fanning and Annette Bening; The Bling Ring, starring Emma Watson; and The Spectacular Now, starring Shailene Woodley and Miles Teller. In a statement, Brad Beale, director of digital video content acquisition for Amazon, said, “As always, we monitor DVD and digital sales very closely and A24 movies are exceptionally popular among our customers. This new deal with A24 allows us to offer those same titles to our Prime Instant Video customers soon after they are released on DVD and Blu-Ray and at no additional cost.” Last week Amazon debuted its first original series, Alpha House and Betas, allowing non-subscribers to watch the first three episodes free. Alpha House turned out to be the most-watched show on Amazon Prime. The fourth episode of the series went online today (Friday).