Although Netflix has previously garnered a large portion of the US online content
market, Amazon Prime Instant Video has in recent years gained popularity and
could soon give the media streaming giant a run for its money.
A report by Consumer Intelligence Research Partners (CIRP) revealed that on
average, Amazon Prime members use Amazon for video 13.4 times per month
while Netflix users watch video 12.7 times per month.
Amazon’s previous service, LoveFilm Instant, which has been renamed as Amazon
Prime Instant Video, was much more affordable than Netflix, which then charged US
subscribers £5.99 per month and now charges $8.99 per month for its streaming
video service basic package. At present Amazon Prime Instant Video is free to users
with an Amazon Prime subscription, which costs $99 per year.
Netflix and Amazon Prime Instant Video both offer movies and TV shows, as well as
original content. Among a list of awards and nominations, Netflix’s Orange is
The New Black took the Favorite TV Dramedy award at the 2015 People’s
Choice Awards while House of Cards earned Kevin Spacey the award
for Best Actor at the 2015 Golden Globes. In addition, the company has announced a
number of original shows lined up for 2015 which include: Bloodline
starring Kyle Chandler and Linda Cardellini; Unbreakable Kimmy
Schmidt co-created by Robert Carlock (Friends, 30 Rock); and
Grace and Frankie starring Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin. Users can
also expect a third season of Orange is The New Black and
House of Cards as well as a second season of The Fall.
Following on the success of its original comedy-drama show
Transparent, which won Best Television Series at the Golden Globe
Awards, Amazon has announced three additional, original series which are to
feature in 2015. These include: Hand of God by Marc Forster and Ben
Watkins; Red Oaks by Steven Soderbergh; and kids series
Wishenpoof! by Angela Santomero and Out of the Blue Enterprises. In
addition Amazon is working on a second season of Transparent and
recently debuted its first hour-long drama, Bosch, based on Michael
Connelly’s best-selling books. It has also signed a deal with television producers Sid
and Marty Krofft to develop a reimagined pilot of classic “70s children live action
series Sigmund and the Sea Monsters.
Both streaming services are available on a number of media streamers and devices
such as tablets, consoles, smartphones and smart TVs; however a number of
reviews have shown that Netflix offers better device support.
