Amazon Scores Viacom Deal

SEATTLE/NEW YORK: Amazon has secured a multi-year, multi-national digital video licensing agreement to bring hundreds of TV shows from the Viacom catalogue to its Prime Instant Video service.

Prime members gain unlimited streaming access to kids’ shows such as Bubble Guppies, The Backyardigans, Team Umizoomi, Blue’s Clues and Victorious. Prime members will also have access to future episodes of Dora the Explorer, SpongeBob SquarePants, Fairly OddParents, Fresh Beat Band and more. Select series from Nickelodeon and Nick Jr. will be available in Kindle FreeTime Unlimited, a service made just for kids that gives them the freedom to explore their favorite books, games, educational apps, movies and TV shows.

Also part of the pact are top-rated shows from MTV and Comedy Central, including Awkward, Tosh.0 and Workaholics. LOVEFiLM customers in the U.K. and Germany will also gain access to this content later in the summer.

The deal comes just a few weeks after Viacom programming was dropped from Netflix. The two companies let their contract expire last month after they were unable to agree on terms for a renewal.

“Kids’ shows are one of the most watched TV genres on Prime Instant Video,” said Bill Carr, the VP of digital video and music for Amazon. “And this expanded deal will now bring customers the largest subscription selection of Nickelodeon and Nick Jr. TV shows online, anywhere. With programs like Dora the Explorer, SpongeBob SquarePants, Bubble Guppies and The Backyardigans there are hundreds of great shows for kids and parents to choose from. In addition, we are bringing customers popular shows from MTV and Comedy Central like Key & Peele, Workaholics, Awkward and Teen Mom 2, with the promise of more shows from these networks in the future.”

“We are thrilled to be extending and deepening our relationship with Amazon,” added Philippe Dauman, the president and CEO of Viacom. “This innovative agreement will provide Prime members with access to even more of our best programming from our major television brands, including many digital video subscription streaming exclusives. Amazon has created a unique, brand-friendly environment for streaming entertainment and consumer products and we are excited to work with Amazon to bring customers shows they love.”