Amazon launches YouTube-style service

Amazon has released Amazon Video Direct (AVD), a new self-service programme allowing its users to upload their own video content.

The programme serves as an enhancement to Amazon Video, and will reportedly look to compete directly with YouTube.

Unlike YouTube, however, AVD's content will be exclusive to subscribers.

The service, which will be available throughout the UK, the US, Germany, Austria and Japan, will offer content providers royalties based on the number of minutes streamed.

Insightful performance metrics will give video providers performance metrics such as number of minutes a title was streamed, projected revenue and payment history.

It's an amazing time to be a content creator, said Jim Freeman, vice president of Amazon Video.

There are more options for distribution than ever before and with Amazon Video Direct, for the first time, there's a self-service option for video providers to get their content into a premium streaming subscription service.

We're excited to make it even easier for content creators to find an audience, and for that audience to find great content.

Alongside the new service comes the AVD Stars programme, which will give creators a share of $1 million per month based on customer engagement of their title. The programme will see Amazon distribute a monthly bonus from the $1 million monthly fund, based on the top 100 AVD titles in Amazon Video, in addition to the revenue they earn.

Any user who makes a title available on Amazon Video will automatically be enrolled.

AVD launch partners include Sam Goldwyn Films, the Guardian, Conde Nast, Mashable, Business Insider and Machinima.

We're excited to have the ability to distribute our films to Amazon customers around the globe, added Peter Goldwyn, president of Samuel Goldwyn Films.

With Amazon Video Direct, we have the control to create the unique distribution strategies that reflect the changing ways in which our audiences discover our films.

LINK:	http://www.tvbeurope.com/amazon-launches-youtube-style-service/...
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