Amazon to launch streaming partner scheme in Europe

Amazon Video is planning to launch its streaming partners programme in Europe for the first time, according to details revealed in a string of company job posts.

The move will see Amazon extend its December-launched US channels initiative – which has seen it partner with major TV networks and content makers like Showtime, Starz and AMC – in order to offer additional content subscriptions through Amazon Video.

In a job post issued last week for a senior digital content editor, Amazon said it will be launching “similar services in Europe”, with the new hire to make sure this ‘additional subscription content’ is “well presented and promoted across Amazon Video”.

The London-based job lists fluency in English and German as two of the basic qualifications. In Europe, Amazon currently offers its Prime Video subscription service in the UK, Germany and Austria.

In a separate, but seemingly related job post, Amazon is also recruiting for a head of marketing for Amazon Video subscriptions across Europe.

The successful candidate will help to positioning the Amazon Video brand to be the “widest destination for video content and extending beyond Prime and rentals/purchases.”

The ad described Amazon’s new channels initiative as a “new and fast-growing area, offering well-known entertainment channels such as Showtime and Starz on the Amazon Video platform, without the need for a cable or satellite subscription.”

Amazon is also hiring a London-based a senior manager, software development, for Amazon Channels who will lead a team responsible for building a “world-class video platform for Amazon Video and Amazon”.

“We are a new initiative, and launched our first products in the US in December 2015, allowing Prime members to subscribe to Showtime, Starz, and more a la carte simply using their Amazon account,” said Amazon.

“Looking ahead, we are planning on bringing more great live television content to Amazon Video and are seeking a senior manager to work in our London office to build multiple teams to own the ‘full stack’ subscription experience – from how customers discover and sign up for a subscription on devices, to building new services for expanding the range of subscriptions we can offer worldwide.”

Among the other London-based opportunities currently being advertised by Amazon Video is a senior propositions manager role, seeking someone who will work to identify and agree “new content subscription opportunities in EU market segments”.

A spokesperson for Amazon told DTVE that the company does not comment on future plans.

Amazon’s US streaming partners programme includes companies such as A+E Network, DramaFever, Curiosity Stream, Smithsonian and BroadbandTV.

The service lets Amazon Video customers manage different subscriptions via Amazon, with the e-retail giant taking responsibility for customer service, billing, device compatibility, content serving and streaming infrastructure.