Amazon Freevee Ramps Up Original Content

Amazon Freevee, formerly IMDb TV, revealed its new slate of scripted and unscripted originals during its NewFront presentation.

The streamer has greenlit the new cooking competition series America’s Test Kitchen: The Next Generation, the coming-of-age drama Beyond Black Beauty, the family competition series Play-Doh Squished and the music documentary Post Malone: Runaway.

Freevee also picked up a second season of Bosch: Legacy and third and fourth seasons of UNINTERRUPTED’s Top Class: The Life and Times of the Sierra Canyon Trailblazers.

In addition, a short-term film licensing agreement was signed by Freevee and Disney Media & Entertainment Distribution for a limited selection of titles, including Deadpool, Deadpool 2, Hidden Figures, Murder on the Orient Express and The Post. The deal follows the previously announced agreement with NBCUniversal for an exclusive network-window for films from Universal Filmed Entertainment Group’s 2020-21 slate.

Amazon’s AVOD has also increased its FAST offering to more than 75 channels, including exclusive linear channels for the Canadian sitcom Kim’s Convenience and the original The Kids in the Hall comedy series. In addition to these channels, Freevee includes curated, thematically programmed channels; Freevee and Prime Video Originals channels including Judy Justice and Bosch; and syndicated channels with several distribution partners such as A&E, BBC and Scripps.

“Amazon Freevee is a trailblazer in the AVOD space, reimagining, redefining and leveling up the quality of content offered by a free streaming service,” said Lauren Anderson and Ryan Pirozzi, co-heads of content and programming at Amazon Freevee. “By developing and programming inspired, fan-favorite original series and movies—produced and delivered by Amazon Studios in partnership with some of the industry’s best creators and studio partners—and by securing exclusive, highly sought licensed content, we have built a destination where viewers know they can discover and enjoy something new, or indulge in something they already love. We’ve also built a home for talent where their ideas will be nurtured and brought to life and are building a brand where advertisers know they will find popular, compelling programming. Today’s announcements about our upcoming slate showcase our continued commitment to delivering customers the premium content they crave—always free of charge.”