Dudes, somewhat of a black eye for Amazon here, which offers free viewing of Amazon Prime videos, presumably none of which zero $$ would go to Apple. Very unimpressed with Amazon on this one.
I just left the following 1-star review on the iPad version of the Amazon Video app:
"Where's the tvOS version of this app? I don't want to watch movies on the small screen when I've got a big screen!
Like General Tarkin learned, "the more you tighten your grip, the more ... systems will slip through your fingers."
Lighten up, Amazon. You can't cry foul for business tactics related to Apple TV when you've already got an iPad and iPhone app out here."
Dudes, somewhat of a black eye for Amazon here, which offers free viewing of Amazon Prime videos, presumably none of which zero $$ would go to Apple. Very unimpressed with Amazon on this one.
Why unimpressed with Amazon? They offer movies for rent and purchase besides just the "free with Prime" movies. Presumably those sales would be subject to Apple taking a 30% cut, difficult to do when you run on razor-thin margins. If that's not it which of Apple's terms do you think Amazon is having issue with?
Not having Amazon Video is one of the principal reasons my ATV4 is collecting dust.
Since Apple didn't exactly accommodate developers quickly porting their current iOS app code bases to TVOS (no local persistent data storage aside from nsuserdefaults, no webkit) they really need to bring as many high-value apps to ATV4 as they can, even if that means cutting a deal with Amazon.
Dudes, somewhat of a black eye for Amazon here, which offers free viewing of Amazon Prime videos, presumably none of which zero $$ would go to Apple. Very unimpressed with Amazon on this one.
Why unimpressed with Amazon? They offer movies for rent and purchase besides just the "free with Prime" movies. Presumably those sales would be subject to Apple taking a 30% cut, difficult to do when you run on razor-thin margins. If that's not it which of Apple's terms do you think Amazon is having issue with?
Amazon could release the prime player on ATV just like they have on iPad. it doesn't rent new stuff and thus they wouldn't pay a penny to Apple. not doing so harms their customers. harming your customers to negotiate with a potential partner is bad business.
Since Apple doesn't charge developers a cent to have their video subscription services on AppleTV, we can see Amazon's idea of "acceptable business terms", involves either handing over iTunes account information or paying Amazon a stipend.
I think you hit the nail on the head, I am not aware of Netflix paying apple for anything I watch via my Netflix account. the same is true for all the other stream content I access because I have a Directv account. I think this is about Amazon wanting to rent you content on top of what you get free for having a prime account with Amazon. The fact Bezos has made this public statement and then says the terms of the deal need to be private he attempting to get public support behind him. Run the numbers Apple said they shipped well over 20M devices, which is far higher then Amaizon has shipped and the fact Apple has far more loyal customers Bezos wants in and Apple is not allowing him in their sand box.
I have an Apple TV, A roku box, I also have prime video, and Netflix and I stream via my ATV and Roku as well as direct to my TV and Blueray players and on my computers and I will tell you the experience with Netflex and ATV is far better than anything else. The Roku is nice but the UI needs lots of work and I do not like the fact that it stays turned on all the time and updates software on its own. A few time I turned it on only to find new software and it working differently. It is my Box, don't mess with my box and I will update software when I like to not when someone else decides it need to be updated.
Dudes, somewhat of a black eye for Amazon here, which offers free viewing of Amazon Prime videos, presumably none of which zero $$ would go to Apple. Very unimpressed with Amazon on this one.
Why unimpressed with Amazon? They offer movies for rent and purchase besides just the "free with Prime" movies. Presumably those sales would be subject to Apple taking a 30% cut, difficult to do when you run on razor-thin margins. If that's not it which of Apple's terms do you think Amazon is having issue with?
Amazon could release the prime player on ATV just like they have on iPad. it doesn't rent new stuff and thus they wouldn't pay a penny to Apple. not doing so harms their customers. harming your customers to negotiate with a potential partner is bad business.
pretty simple really. but you knew that.
As you so certain that's all there is to it? I've not seen mention anywhere what Apple wants in return if anything, nor what Google wants either since they too won't offer Amazon Prime on Android TV/Chromecast. I guess you have seen Apple comment on it someplace, or Google? Personally I don't expect to see anything until Apple rolls out an AppleTV specific App Store.
I don't need Amazon Prime video. My AppleTV serves up pretty much everything I could ever want to watch as it is. And if I did need Amazon video for some reason? Its built into my TV. So Bozos can shove it. Also... perhaps Apple should be asking Amazon when they're bringing the iTunes Store to Fire OS?
When asked whether Apple's customary 30 percent take of all App Store purchases is a factor in negotiations, Bezos said that "private business decisions should stay private."
Translation: Yes.
Amazon's business model is to sell at cost plus operating expense in the hope that efficiencies will eke out a 2% profit, thereby denying any new competitors the oxygen required to compete. Given Amazon's extremely thin margins Bezos isn't anywhere near willing to share Prime Video revenue with others.
So if Amazon Prime was on TV they would have to pay Apple 30% every time someone purchased something via the Prime app? The Prime app wouldn't be associated with their Amazon account and payment information? Or it would but Apple still demands 30%? That makes no sense.
Apple, Amazon, and Google compete on media downloads/rentals; that's why AppleTV and Chromecast aren't supported by Prime nor sold in the Amazon store. Their isn't any reason that Amazon couldn't have an AppleTV app merely for those wanting to watch free Prime media, but then Amazon would give up downloads/rentals or pay the 30%. Bezos wants a better deal, but I'm not seeing what's in it for Apple to make that happen. Apple seems to be more favorable to content creators like HBO, who are rumored to have a 15% transaction fee and only if the subscription is purchased through the iTunes Store.
So basically both Amazon and Apple are keeping the Prime app off Apple TV for financial reasons.
It costs Amazon nothing to create a streaming app for their many (paying) Prime customers so that they can view content (that they've already paid for via their Prime membership) on any platform. They could've done this a long time while the financial situation is being worked out. Let's give credit where credit is due.
I don't understand why Amazon don't just create a Prime video player for the Apple TV box. If you just stream films and shows that you have already paid for and don't give the option to purchase new films or shows through the app, Amazon won't lose any money to Apple but they are likely to pick up some new subscribers.
So basically both Amazon and Apple are keeping the Prime app off Apple TV for financial reasons.
It costs Amazon nothing to create a streaming app for their many (paying) Prime customers so that they can view content (that they've already paid for via their Prime membership) on any platform. They could've done this a long time while the financial situation is being worked out. Let's give credit where credit is due.
It costs Amazon nothing to create a streaming app for their many (paying) Prime customers so that they can view content (that they've already paid for via their Prime membership) on any platform. They could've done this a long time while the financial situation is being worked out. Let's give credit where credit is due.
It cost nothing to create an app? Since when?
Relative to the revenue generated from millions of Prime memberships, yeah, pretty much nothing.
Note: estimate of between 40 and 60 million current U.S. Prime memberships depending on source.
It costs Amazon nothing to create a streaming app for their many (paying) Prime customers so that they can view content (that they've already paid for via their Prime membership) on any platform. They could've done this a long time while the financial situation is being worked out. Let's give credit where credit is due.
It cost nothing to create an app? Since when?
Ah I love playing semantics games. Just kidding, I don't.
Yes, obviously there's a cost to developing an app, which is really like spending a penny for a company with a $600 share price. What I mean, and I think you know that, is that they wouldn't have to share any revenue with Apple by allowing customers to watch what they've already paid for. At best they would encourage some ATV users to sign up for Prime (in which case the app would eventually pay for itself). At worst they would be build up some good will among existing customers, not that Bezos gives a shit about that.
Comments
pretty simple really. but you knew that.
I think you hit the nail on the head, I am not aware of Netflix paying apple for anything I watch via my Netflix account. the same is true for all the other stream content I access because I have a Directv account. I think this is about Amazon wanting to rent you content on top of what you get free for having a prime account with Amazon. The fact Bezos has made this public statement and then says the terms of the deal need to be private he attempting to get public support behind him. Run the numbers Apple said they shipped well over 20M devices, which is far higher then Amaizon has shipped and the fact Apple has far more loyal customers Bezos wants in and Apple is not allowing him in their sand box.
I have an Apple TV, A roku box, I also have prime video, and Netflix and I stream via my ATV and Roku as well as direct to my TV and Blueray players and on my computers and I will tell you the experience with Netflex and ATV is far better than anything else. The Roku is nice but the UI needs lots of work and I do not like the fact that it stays turned on all the time and updates software on its own. A few time I turned it on only to find new software and it working differently. It is my Box, don't mess with my box and I will update software when I like to not when someone else decides it need to be updated.
Note: estimate of between 40 and 60 million current U.S. Prime memberships depending on source.
Yes, obviously there's a cost to developing an app, which is really like spending a penny for a company with a $600 share price. What I mean, and I think you know that, is that they wouldn't have to share any revenue with Apple by allowing customers to watch what they've already paid for. At best they would encourage some ATV users to sign up for Prime (in which case the app would eventually pay for itself). At worst they would be build up some good will among existing customers, not that Bezos gives a shit about that.