Amazon today launched a YouTube rival of sorts called Amazon Video Direct. The service allows users to upload any video content they have created and then get a cut of the revenue from the ads. It’s the same model that YouTube uses. The service itself is free and you get a cut in the revenues that YouTube makes by displaying ads to viewers. Amazon is going beyond that by offering multiple ways to content creators in which they can earn money on their content.
It’s providing content creators the chance to earn royalties through streaming by Amazon Prime members, as well as a cut of the revenue from purchases, subscriptions, rentals and ad impressions.
Given the apparent move towards the user-generated content model, Amazon will now allow people to stream select videos free of cost. It not that hard to come to the conclusion that it’s targeting YouTube with Video Direct, but the new service has a long road ahead of it if it’s to really take on the world’s largest online video sharing website.
Launch partners for Amazon’s new video service include How Stuff Works, The Guardian, Mattel as well as independent films from Samuel Goldwyn Films. Content added to the service will be available online and also through Amazon Video apps, which are also available for the company’s Fire TV sticks and tablets. The service will initially be available in the United States, Germany, United Kingdom, Austria, and Japan.
Filed in . Read more about Amazon and YouTube. Source: theverge