It's the solution that doesn't solve anything. Viewers have long complained that there's no one destination to watch all of your subscriptions. If you want to watch Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, etc, you need to load up individual apps.
Prime Video Channels endeavours to solve that issue - customers can sign up for the streaming services they are interested in and watch it all through the one Amazon Prime Video interface. All of your billing happens through the one provider too (Amazon). And that would be fine, but for two problems:
1) The Amazon Prime Videos interface is getting creakier and creakier as the years pass by - its competitors UI improvements haven't spurred Amazon to lift its game in that department. You can have everything in the one place, but it's a worse experience than using individual apps.
2) Not every streaming app you want is available. The bigger services like Netflix, Disney+, etc want to not only control your user experience, but they also don't want to give away the direct relationship it has with customers. By dealing directly with subscribers, Netflix (for example) can email you, it can advise you of billing changes, and anything else it deems important. Plus it doesn't need to give a cut of each transaction to a third party. HBO Max this past month shut off access to its service in the US from Amazon Prime Videos Channel so it could have that direct relationship.
The result is that Amazon Prime Video Channels has a lot of the smaller providers who are just happy for the business. It just means that unless you are only interested in watching content from the little guys, you still need to go into multiple apps to watch your shows and movies.
Amazon Prime Video has launched in Australia. Available streamers at launch include: Paramount+ ($8.99/month), hayu ($6.99/month), STARZPLAY ($3.99/month), MGM ($4.99/month), AMC+ ($8.99/month), Acorn TV ($6.99/month), Shudder ($6.99/month), OUTtv ($3.99/month), The Great Courses ($7.99/month), iwonder ($6.99/month), DocPlay ($7.99/month), Love Nature ($3.99/month).
Mediaweek
But more interestingly...
AMC+ launches in Australia
The very new US streaming service AMC+ is now available in Australia. Part of the Amazon Prime Videos launch, it is also available on the similar Apple Channels platform.
As a new service, the library is currently a bit small with just a few new premium titles like The Beast Must Die. But AMC+ is ramping up its output considerably with a number of the more interesting shows on the horizon set for the platform. Maybe don't subscribe today, but keep your eye on it and get ready to hit that subscribe button as soon as there's a specific title you're interested in.
While that library is small, it's worth noting that a subscription to AMC+ also bundles in all the content from AMC streaming services Shudder and Acorn TV. At $8.99 for all three, it actually represents pretty good value.
So far AMC+ is only available as part of the Amazon and Apple channels - it isn't available as an independent app as it is in the US. I have reached out for information on it's stand-alone availability.
RIP Dean Stockwell
The hugely charming, beloved Quantum Leap actor died at the age of 85. Dean Stockwell had a lengthy career starting as a child actor in 1945 and racked up over 200 credits. He's best known as Al in Quantum Leap, but in recent years became a familiar face on TV through recurring spots on the Battlestar Galactica reboot.
From his obit in the NYT:
He would appear in 19 films before he turned 16, at which point he quit acting for the first time. He was withdrawn as a child and took little pleasure in acting, seeing it as an obligation foisted upon him by others, he said in an interview with Turner Classic Movies in 1995.
“If it had been up to me, I would have been out of it by the time I was 10,” he said.
TeeVee Snacks
- Justin Bieber – An Interactive Virtual Experience is a free live VR concert experience starring the teen pop star. It takes place Nov 18. Read: Deadline
- Kim Cattrall, fresh from the news she's adding her voice to How I Met Your Father, will also join the cast of the Queer As Folk reboot for Peacock. Read: TV Insider
- The fifth and final season of Search Party will debut Jan 7. Read: The AV Club
- The public are invited to watch the ABC Upfronts this year in Australia. Read: TV Tonight
- Would TV's Spider-Man Nicholas Hammond have liked to be included as a Spidey in the upcoming multi-Spidey Marvel movie ******? Hell yeah. Read: THR
Netflix rolls out games to Apple iOS users
Netflix Games was launched on Android a few days back, but iOS users were left unable to play the small selection of games in Netflix's launch of games onto its video platform. Why the delay?
Blame Apple's App Store policies - they typically prevents third-party apps from acting as storefronts for apps.
As such, the Netflix games will be made available as direct downloads from the App Store. It is not known whether they'll be available in-app as they are on Android. We'll know for sure later today as the feature rolls out.
Emma Roth
Also coming to Netflix... to compete with the popularity of TikTok, Netflix is unveiling short form videos for the kids titled Kids Clips.
The Streamable
General Hospital actor off the show for not complying with vaccine mandate
Actor Ingo Rademacher has had one heck of a week. Fired off his daytime soap for not complying with the production's vaccine requirements just one day after pissing off his colleagues for sharing anti-trans memes on his socials.
Rick Porter
Trailer Park
Miriam & Alan Lost in Scotland debuts on Channel 4 Nov 16.
Rebelde debuts Jan 5 on Netflix.
Centaurworld returns for season 2 on Dec 7.
Back To The Outback debuts on Netflix Dec 10.
Angèle debuts on Netflix Nov 26.
Elves debuts Nov 28 on Netflix.
The Hungry and The Hairy debuts on Netflix Dec 11.
What's next? Tomorrow.
