IMDB to offer free movies, TV shows

Amazon unit lets customers stream from 6,000 titles

By Danny King -- Video Business, 9/16/2008

SEPT. 16 | Amazon.com launched a free video-streaming service through its Internet Movie Database Web site, marking a foray into advertising-supported digital content while providing another method for customers to find its new video-on-demand service, which provides pay-for-play content.

Amazon’s IMDb.com has an inventory of more than 6,000 titles that can be streamed for free, including TV episodes of The Office, The Simpsons and Star Trek and films such as Raising Arizona and Hoop Dreams, the world’s largest Internet retailer said. Additionally, this season’s first episodes of shows such as Knight Rider and Chuck will be shown on IMDb.com before air date, while the service also allows independent filmmakers or rights owners to upload movies to the site. Knight Rider also will be available on Apple’s iTunes and Hulu before air date.

Customers “can decide whether to watch an ad-supported movie or show on IMDb for free or rent or purchase a movie and show immediately from [Amazon Video On Demand] without commercials,” said Amazon spokeswoman Tammy Hovey.

The announcement comes less than two weeks after Amazon made its VOD streaming service live for all customers. The company integrated its Unbox download service into what is the new Amazon Video On Demand, which allows customers the chance to rent or purchase by streaming from an inventory of about 40,000 titles. Amazon inserted links to the VOD service on IMDb.com for titles that aren’t offered for free.

CBS, Hulu and Sony Pictures Television are among providers of the video content on IMDb.com, which attracts more than 57 million visitors a month, Amazon said.