Amazon-owned MGM+ goes live in US, replaces Epix

Yesterday (January 15) saw the launch of Amazon-owned streaming platform MGM+ in the US. The service, which is a rebrand of the EPIX streaming service, signalled its new era by launching season three of acclaimed drama series Godfather of Harlem.

Michael Wright

Commenting on the new-look service, Michael Wright, head of MGM+, said: “It’s a new beginning for our service, as we introduce MGM+ and its distinctive brand promise to viewers. MGM+ will deliver on its iconic and beloved studio legacy, with cinematic, sophisticated, and transportive storytelling. We are growing our library, comprised of original television series and blockbuster films that celebrate the MGM brand.”

Other series coming up include A Spy Among Friends (March 12), the contemporary sci-fi horror series From Season Two (April 23) and the true-crime docuseries Murf the Surf (February 5). A Spy Among Friends stars Damian Lewis and Guy Pearce and recently launched on the ITVX platform in the UK. The new MGM+ service is also streaming another high-profile UK series, Steven Knight’s Rogue Heroes.

Amazon acquired MGM in early 2022, picking up a library of content brands including Rocky, James Bond and Tomb Raider. It also inherited several MGM-branded streaming services around the world and seems to have elected to double down on MGM as a part of its streaming portfolio alongside its established Amazon Prime offering. Most of the major streamers are exploring how to deliver a unified streamer offering to end users while also protecting valued sub-brands. This is the conundrum facing Warner Bros Discovery with HBO Max and Paramount + with Showtime.

At present, the international version of MGM sits within the Prime Video Channels offering, alongside numerous third party channels. As yet it is not clear if Amazon plans to develop MGM as a more high-profile international offering alongside Amazon Prime.