AMAZON PRIME VIDEO, IMDBTV, AND SONY PARTNER TO LICENSE NORMAN LEAR’S TV SERIES

 Amazon Prime Video and  IMDb TV have confirmed a licensing deal with Sony Pictures Television, which includes the classic television series from legendary producer Norman Lear. The streaming agreement serves as the first of its kind to make the classic accessible in an SVOD form.“Life is a collaboration. "Writing, directing and producing films and television is perhaps the most collaborative work of all,” Lear said. “In 2018, our Act III Productions sat with the team at Sony Pictures Television and formed a partnership to not only produce new content, but to bring a new awareness to my former Embassy library.”

The shows, "227" and "Diff’rent Strokes" will launch on Prime Video on Thursday, 15th July and will be available to Prime members at no additional cost to their membership. Additional titles including "The Jeffersons," "Sanford & Son, and "Sanford" will launch on the platform later this year."With this deal, audiences will be able to enjoy more episodes than ever before of these groundbreaking series on Prime Video and IMDb TV," said Keith Le Goy, Chairman, Distribution and Networks, Sony Pictures Entertainment. "We’re thrilled to be able to partner with Amazon to bring these iconic shows to new audiences for 2021 and beyond."

“All in the Family,” “Good Times,” “Maude, and One Day at a Time" is also set to launch on 15th July, on IMDb TV, the first time that episodes of Maude and all seasons of All in the Family are available to stream.  “That Sony found a home for that library with Prime Video/IMDb TV where new generations could find it, is the best present a man entering his 100th year can have,” Lear continued.

At 99 years of age, Lears has seen the shows he has contributed to rise to fame, garnering millions of viewers. In addition to television, he’s the executive producer of two feature films in theaters now, "I Carry You With Me" and "Rita Moreno: Just A Girl Who Decided to Go For It."  He has developed a career writing and producing programs like "The Colgate Comedy Hour" and "The Martha Raye Show," which grarnered over 120 milllion viewers per year. His original show has garnered many awards of recognition, including six Primetime Emmy awards.“Norman Lear is a national treasure and his impact on television and popular culture is immeasurable,” said Jennifer Salke, Head of Amazon Studios. “We are so honored to bring his classic television series to Prime Video and IMDb TV so new audiences and a new generation can laugh, enjoy and be inspired, like so many of us have been throughout the years.”