Amazon.com today announced it is expanding its lineup of on-demand programming that will bring popular cable shows to Amazon’s Prime Instant Video service ($79/annually).
Starting today, Prime members will be able to stream programming produced by Scripps’ cable networks including the Travel Channel, HGTV, Food Network, Cooking Channel, and DIY.
Some of the shows include: Rachael Ray’s Week in a Day; Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations; Cupcake Wars;Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives; House Hunters and House Hunters International; Iron Chef America; Man v. Food; Selling New York and Selling LA; Throwdown With Bobby Flay; Chopped; Ghost Adventures; andYard Crashers. Older programming will also be available for purchase and download.
“We are excited to be the exclusive online-only subscription home for Scripps content and know our customers are going to love getting these great shows as part of Prime,” said Brad Beale, Amazon’s head of video content acquisition.
Amazon has attempted to differentiate its video offerings from its much-larger rival Netflix. In many instances, the more-limited content on Amazon is already available from Netflix, making Amazon Prime Instant Video redundant for current Netflix subscribers. But Amazon has recently signed a handful of exclusive deals, mostly for television programming.
With streaming rights for popular Hollywood movies escalating into high orbit, most of the content deals signed by Netflix and Amazon during 2012 covered less-costly network series and cable shows. While that has discouraged movie fans, who increasingly turn to Redbox or other rental services for recent Hollywood releases, it is giving cable subscribers another reason to cut the cord on cable television.