Amazon Launches 'Self-Service' Program for Streaming Video Providers

Amazon launched a “self-service” program dubbed Amazon Video Direct (AVD) that allows video creators to make streaming content available to Amazon customers. Video providers can choose how to distribute their content: to Prime members for free; as an add-on subscription through Amazon’s Streaming Partners Program, as a one-time rental or purchase or advertising-supported from Amazon. To help video providers optimize the way they offer content under the program, Amazon supplies them with performance metrics, such as number of minutes a title was streamed, projected revenue, payment history or number of subscribers, Amazon said Tuesday. Under the AVD Stars program, which also launched Tuesday, video creators receive a share of $1 million per month based on customer engagement with their titles, said Amazon, which will distribute to creators a monthly bonus from a designated fund based on the top 100 AVD titles in Prime Video, plus other revenue earned. Video creators and providers who use AVD to make their titles available in Prime Video will be automatically enrolled, it said. The AVD Stars fund will make the first bonus distributions based on June 1-30 streaming activity, Amazon said. AVD launch partners are Baby Einstein, Business Insider, CJ Entertainment America, Conde Nast Entertainment, HowStuffWorks, Kin Community, Kinonation, Jash, Journeyman Pictures, Machinima, Mashable, Mattel, Pro Guitar Lessons, Samuel Goldwyn Films, StyleHaul, Synergetic Distribution, The Guardian, TYT Network and XiveTV.