WILL AMAZON ADD LIVE TV CHANNELS TO ITS PRIME VIDEO SERVICE?

Amazon Prime Video is growing interest for live TV, according to tech publication, Protocol reported Tuesday. The report highlighted several new job postings for Amazon’s Prime Video department focusing on linear broadcasting. "We in Prime Video Catalog are building next-gen linear catalog systems to provide best-in-class Linear TV experience to Prime Video customers. It is Day 1 for the linear TV experience on Prime Video," the Amazon listing reads.

An Amazon spokesperson said the company already offers live TV stations as part of its Prime Video Channels, including several linear channels such as CBS All Access and Showtime in the US, Stack TV in California, and Eurosport in Denmark and the U.K. New channels could include live news, music, and sports, as well as scheduled programming, adding to Amazon Prime Video's already expansive list of licensed and original TV series and movies, Protocol reported. “It is Day 1 for the linear TV experience on Prime Video,” one of the postings for a software development engineer says. “This is your opportunity to take an active role in shaping the future of digital video by defining the next generation of what Amazon customers are watching.”

Live TV and scheduled programming options would differentiate Prime Video from its largest competitors, including Netflix, Hulu, HBO, and Disney+. YouTube TV and Sling TV offer internet-based live TV options. Although video on demand is on the rise, the global viewing hours weigh in favor of live or scheduled TV, and linear streaming is predicted to grow by 64% in the next two years.

Prime Video still adds employees to its ranks with job listings boldly declaring that hires can “redefine how customers watch 24/7 linear broadcast TV content.” Another job listing says Prime Video's content could expand into live concerts, political debates, and news programming in Amazon's efforts to "revolutionize" Prime Video, according to Protocol.