Amazon & PBS Extend Streaming Pact

SEATTLE: A slew of new PBS shows are headed to Amazon’s Prime Instant Video service through an expanded agreement reached by the two companies.

The new deal includes past seasons of PBS Kids shows such as Caillou, Arthur, Daniel Tiger’s Neighbourhood, Dinosaur Train and Wild Kratts. All shows from PBS Kids that are available on Prime Instant Video will be available in Kindle FreeTime Unlimited, a service built specifically for kids that gives them the freedom to explore all their favorite books, games, educational apps, movies and TV shows, while providing parents with the tools they need to manage and monitor screen time.

The agreement also covers hundreds of additional episodes of the popular PBS series NOVA and Masterpiece along with Ken Burns documentaries. Additionally, Prime Instant Video is now the exclusive video subscription home of the third season of Carnival/Masterpiece co-production Downton Abbey. Prime Instant Video will become the exclusive video subscription home for all seasons of Downton Abbey later this year.

“This deal is exciting for Prime members and particularly for those with families—this new deal combined with the recently announced Viacom deal brings some of the most popular kids’ programming to Prime Instant Video, making it the perfect place for the whole family to catch up on all their favorites,” said Brad Beale, the director of digital video content acquisition for Amazon. “Not to mention, Downton Abbey is continually one of the most watched shows of all time on Prime Instant Video. Prime Instant Video will soon become the only video subscription service to exclusively offer all seasons, current and future, of Downton Abbey—something we know our customers will love.”

“PBS stations will always be the first place to see our premier content,” added Jason Seiken, the general manager at PBS Digital. “Giving viewers access to our library of past programs through digital platforms like Prime Instant Video complements our broadcast service and is an important part of our strategy to reach new audiences. By expanding our relationship with Amazon we are giving PBS viewers additional ways to enjoy their favorite programs on the go or in their home, whenever they want—and providing them with even more reasons to tune into their local PBS station.”