Amazon now allows creators to post content on its platform

By Saba Hamedy May 10, 2016

NEW YORK — First Amazon launched its own monthly video streaming service — separate from Prime — to rival Netflix.

Now it’s taking on YouTube with the launch of a new “self-service program for creators and storytellers to make their video content available to Amazon customers.”

Amazon Video Direct (AVD), which launches Tuesday, gives creators the opportunity to earn royalties based on minutes streamed.

“It’s an amazing time to be a content creator,” Jim Freeman, Vice President of Amazon Video, said in a statement. “There are more options for distribution than ever before and with Amazon Video Direct, for the first time, there’s a self-service option for video providers to get their content into a premium streaming subscription service.”

That uploaded content will be available to Amazon Prime’s tens of millions of members. The platform is currently available in the United States, Germany, Austria, United Kingdom and Japan.

Videos can be made available to rent or own, to view free with ads, or packaged together and offered as an add-on subscription, Amazon said in its release.

At a glance, the list of perks is similar to YouTube’s.

A handful of entertainment companies, news publishers and brands — including Mashable, Conde Nast Entertainment, HowStuffWorks, Samuel Goldwyn Films, the Guardian, Mattel, StyleHaul, Kin Community, Jash, Business Insider, Machinima, TYT Network, Baby Einstein, CJ Entertainment America, Xive TV, Synergetic Distribution, Kino Nation, Journeyman Pictures and Pro Guitar Lessons — have already partnered up with Amazon to test out the new offering.

Also launching Tuesday is the “AVD Stars program.”

This gives creators a monthly bonus from a $1 million fund based on the top 100 AVD titles offered in Prime Video.

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