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'Luke Cage' showrunner jumps ship for Amazon
Netflix's decision to scrap Luke Cage (among other Marvel shows) might have an upside for its rivals -- Amazon has struck a deal with the superhero production's showrunner, Cheo Hodari Coker. He'll develop and produce content for Prime Video under his Fighting 99th Entertainment brand. It's too soon to know what he'll make, but he noted that "Amazon is the future" and appreciated its "bespoke, specific approach" to creating shows. He's not spending much time mourning his former production, then.
NBA League Pass is now available through Amazon Prime Video Channels
If you can't get enough NBA action, you're in luck. Amazon is now offering live games from NBA League Pass part of its Prime Video Channels service. You'll have to get a League Pass subscription to access the content, which you can get through Amazon for $29 per month or $169 for a full season of action. A free week of access to League Pass is available starting today through December 20th.
Streaming shows dominate SAG Awards TV nominations
Streaming shows stand a much better chance of winning SAG Awards in 2019 than they did this year -- in fact, they're guaranteed at least one. The Screen Actors Guild has announced its nominees for the 25th annual awards, and streaming productions are thriving in every series-focused (that is, TV-focused) category. Most of those categories have two or more streaming shows in the running, and the "Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series" category has nothing but online shows. Voters will have to choose between GLOW, Grace and Frankie and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, with Grace and Maisel receiving two nominations each for that award.
Comcast's X1 boxes get Amazon Prime Video this week
As promised, Amazon Prime is becoming available this week on Comcast's X1 platform, joining other third-party streaming services like Netflix and YouTube. Beyond just having access to the app, that means content on Amazon is now searchable through the X1 UI, and with voice commands delivered via its remote. Comcast executive VP Matt Strauss told Engadget that X1 handles more than 8 billion voice commands per year, and it's number one platform for Netflix consumption among Comcast customers. Even with cord-cutting and ways people can stream via apps in their TVs, set-top boxes or dongles, being able to get to Amazon Prime without switching remotes or inputs should make everything a lot simpler. X1 integration also means it can snap together content that's available across both streaming services like Amazon and current seasons on live TV or Comcast's video on-demand. According to Amazon VP Greg Hart, expanding onto these Comcast boxes was a natural evolution, with Prime Video already available on many set-top boxes around the world. This way, customers can launch into series like The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel or Jack Ryan directly from the guide, or open the app just by saying "Amazon Prime Video." Unlike Netflix, there's no billing integration between Amazon and Comcast, but it should be easy to link as long as you're a Prime customer and if you have the right hardware, then, like Netflix, 4K will be available. Plus, it's arriving just in time for you to watch It's A Wonderful Life, which is an Amazon Prime exclusive. There won't be a beta rollout or anything, although it may take a few days for the app to reach everyone's boxes.
Amazon inadvertedly streamed an upcoming episode of 'Doctor Who'
Never mind bootleggers releasing unaired Doctor Who episodes -- the biggest concern this week is none other than one of the BBC's own distributors. Fans who tried to watch the latest episode of the show ("Kerblam!") on Amazon the evening of November 21st found themselves watching "The Witchfinders" instead -- an episode that wasn't supposed to air until November 25th. Yes, the time travel jokes pretty much write themselves here. The io9 team notes that Amazon even had the subtitles for "Kerblam!" instead, leading to some unintentionally funny mash-ups of text from the future with the 17th-century past.
Comcast may debut a set-top box for internet-only customers in 2019
Comcast hasn't been completely averse to cord cutters, but there are now hints that it might design hardware with those people in mind. CNBC contacts say Comcast is planning a streaming set-top box for internet-only subscribers that would unify Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, YouTube and other services. It wouldn't quite be a direct rival to devices like the Apple TV or Roku players, since you wouldn't have an app ecosystem -- Comcast wouldn't want to risk you leaving for DirecTV Now or Sling TV, you see. It would come with a voice-controlled remote, however, and would double as a smart home hub.
Amazon's 'Transparent' will end with a movie-length musical episode
Much like Netflix's challenges with House of Cards, the creators of Amazon's Transparent have faced a problem: how do they wrap up the final season of a long-running show in a way that does the series justice, especially with the departure of a key cast member? In this case, it's simple: take a cue from Broadway. Series creator Jill Soloway has revealed to the New York Times that the last episode of the fifth season will be a two-hour musical episode. Details are scarce, but it'll ideally be a cross of Jesus Christ Superstar, La La Land, Flight of the Conchords and "a little Yentl," according to Soloway. It should reach Prime Video in fall 2019.
Amazon plans TV series based on Robert Jordan's 'Wheel of Time' novels
Amazon's fantasy TV ambitions aren't just confined to The Lord of the Rings. The company has ordered an hour-per-episode series based on Robert Jordan's The Wheel of Time novels -- yes, after years of canceled plans and legal hurdles, it's finally happening. The series promises to be a direct adaptation of the books, which center around a world where only women are known to wield magic (or rather, "channeling") and prophecies talk of a person who's the reincarnation of a powerful being.
Amazon's NFL streams will feature an all-female commentary team
When Amazon starts streaming its latest round of Thursday Night Football on September 27th, you'll have a few options for commentary -- including one that breaks new ground in the broadcasting industry. The internet behemoth has announced that it will include an option for all-female audio commentary from veteran sports journalists Andrea Kremer (at left) and Hannah Storm. It's the first time two women commentators will cover an entire NFL game, Amazon said. While it's easy to be cynical about the move, it's definitely big news if you want a break from the usual play calling.
'Marvelous Mrs. Maisel' leads the pack of streaming Emmy winners
Just a few years ago it was still novel to see Emmy winners coming from internet services instead of cable or network TV, but now it's just a part of the landscape. Netflix notably edged out HBO this year when it came to nominations, but now that all the trophies have been handed out they ended up tied with 23 wins each.
Netflix and Amazon will have to make more European content by law
Streaming services like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video will likely soon have to ensure at least 30 percent of their libraries are dedicated to local content in the European Union. A preliminary agreement on the rules is already in place, and Roberto Viola, who oversees the European Commission department in charge of networks, content and technology, said the quota is set to become law in December. He indicated to Variety that the vote is "a mere formality."
Amazon's 'The Romanoffs' teaser shows desperate claims to fame
Amazon is finally ready to show more of The Romanoffs than its all-star cast. The internet behemoth has posted a full-fledged teaser trailer for the Prime Video anthology series, and it's evident that the show is equal parts serious and irreverent. This definitely isn't a historical piece. Rather, it's a look at the seeming ridiculousness of people around the world as they claim to be descendants of the last Russian royal family. There's more than a slight whiff of desperation, although the teaser doesn't rule out the possibility that some characters might have a legitimate claim.
Amazon may add to its ‘free’ TV streaming in the UK
Amazon's next foray into video probably isn't what you expect. No, the e-commerce juggernaut isn't jumping into VR (that we know of), it will potentially start offering more free, ad-supported channels however. At least in the United Kingdom. According to the UK's This is Money (an offshoot of The Daily Mail), Amazon recently posted a job listing for "head of free to air TV and advertising" based out of London. The expectation is that it'll broadcast Premier League soccer next year for free, with traditional commercials running during the matches.
Amazon Prime Video is offering dubious conspiracy videos
It won't surprise you to hear that streaming services are full of documentary-style videos with dodgy claims about aliens or the paranormal. Amazon Prime Video, however, is coming under fire for offering considerably worse. The Telegraph has noticed that the service includes numerous conspiracy videos from widely discredited sources like Alex Jones and David Icke. Amazon isn't going out of its way to promote the junk theories (which include the New World Order and reptilian aliens). As a subscription service, though, it's paying the authors for their work -- unlike YouTube, it can't just pull ads.
Amazon grabs streaming rights for Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ceremony
Amazon Prime's video-on-demand service just unlocked a musical milestone: it will be airing the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's induction ceremony for the first time ever. HBO has been the Hall of Fame's conventional broadcasting home, but from July 1st, devotees will be able to watch the event in over 30 countries and eight languages on any device supported by Amazon's streaming service.
Amazon offers first details about its 'Lord of the Rings' series
Amazon initially said precious little about its Lord of the Rings series beyond acknowledging its existence, but details are finally starting to trickle out. In an interview with Deadline, Amazon Studios chief Jennifer Salke provided a few tidbits about the fantasy show despite its early stages. For one, there will be familiar characters. Amazon isn't "remaking the movies," Salke said, but nor is it is "starting from scratch." The Prime Video production will make at least some effort to shape its own identity, then.
The Premier League is coming to UK Amazon Prime
Amazon Prime will show live Premier League matches from 2019 in the UK. The technology giant has bought a football package that will give it exclusive TV -- or in this case, streaming -- rights for 20 games per season, from 2019/20 to 2021/22. These cover some midweek fixtures in early December, and the games taking place over the Bank Holiday (Boxing Day). Earlier this year, the Premier League announced that it had sold five out of seven TV packages in the UK. BT bought one bundle, worth 32 games, while Sky secured four, representing 128 matches. Today, the league confirmed that Amazon and BT have secured the final two TV packages.
Amazon confirms it'll make 'The Underground Railroad' TV series
Last year, Amazon tapped Oscar-winning writer and Moonlight director Barry Jenkins to adapt the acclaimed alternate-history book The Underground Railroad into a drama series. The tech giant must have liked what it saw, because it has given the project its formal approval and put in an order for 11 episodes. The Oscar winner worked with Netflix in the past, but that was for a single episode of Dear White People. This time, he's directing all 11 (possibly hour-long) episodes that revolve around a young slave girl named Cora and her daring escape from a cotton plantation in Georgia through an underground railroad.
Amazon is in talks to resurrect 'The Expanse'
Just because Syfy dropped The Expanse doesn't mean the cult sci-fi hit has met its end. Sources talking to Deadline, Variety and Hollywood Reporter have all claimed that Amazon is in discussions to resurrect The Expanse for a fourth season. Neither Amazon nor show producer Alcon are commenting on the rumor, but Deadline heard there's "interest" in the move. The tricky part would be negotiating a deal -- it's more complex than you might think.
Amazon gives 'Mrs. Maisel' third season just months after premiere
If it wasn't already apparent that Amazon has a lot of confidence in Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, it is now. The internet giant has confirmed a third season of the 1950s comedy/drama before the second season has even premiered -- and that's after ordering two seasons right out of the gate. That kind of trust in a show isn't completely unheard of for Amazon (just ask the creators of Jack Ryan), but it's rare when streaming services frequently order one season and wait until after a show's debut to make another commitment.
