As Stan look to spruik their numbers Amazon, the ten ton gorilla in the room is looking to launch their own digital TV recorder a move that could put them head to head with Foxtel and Fetch.
In the USA Amazon is also planning to buy a cinema chain with Amazon founder Jeff Bezos now ramping up his assault on the entertainment business a move that could have consequences in Australia.
The $US900 billion ($1.2 trillion) colossus is currently developing a set-top box to compete with the likes of Foxtel and Fetch. The device, called Frank, will be able to record live television and stream it to a user’s mobile phone, tablet or PC.
there is also speculation that Amazon is seriously considering a tilt at buying the global rights to a major sporting event such as the Olympics or Soccer World Cup. However, insiders have told ChannelNews that the move to buy global could come with a series of smaller sporting events.
The new box is set to be compatible with Alexa Voice.
Arch rival Apple is also believed to be looking at a new Apple TV offering that will be voice activated and allow free to air TV to be streamed to an IP enabled device.
Each has rolled out smart speakers in the hope of becoming the control centre of the typical home.
Amazon currently spends billions of dollars a year on production. Its 2016 film Manchester by the Sea won the Oscar for best original screenplay and best actor for Casey Affleck.
Preferential access to art-house cinemas could be another selling point for Amazon’s Prime membership program. It offers overnight delivery, free streaming content and other benefits to subscribers, who pay $6.99 per month in Australia, or $54 a year.
