Amazon’s live news coverage kicked off with Brian Williams welcoming viewers to their election night coverage. The set was in Culver City, Calif., with Williams moving around introducing various political commentators. This marked Amazon’s first venture into live news coverage, expanding from their previous investments in sports media rights and cloud computing infrastructure. The streaming event was open to everyone, unlike their NFL games which require a Prime membership. Amazon’s NFL streaming deal has been used to increase Prime membership sign-ups and boost their advertising business.
Throughout the election night coverage, there were a few ads, including ones for Balance of Nature and Viking.com. Amazon also promoted some of its own shows and movies during breaks. The lineup of commentators included well-known political analysts, reporters, and TV hosts such as Shepard Smith, James Carville, Abby Huntsman, and others. While some viewers criticized the set for being too large, many enjoyed Amazon’s coverage and praised Brian Williams for his hosting.
Amazon’s move into live news coverage was a strategic one, as they aimed to provide a non-partisan special drawing from major news sources. This complements the various partner news channels available on Prime Video. The streaming event was part of Amazon’s efforts to expand their live streaming ambitions beyond sports, with a focus on providing news and analysis for viewers. The tech giant has invested significant resources in buying sports media rights and building out cloud computing infrastructure, enabling them to stream NFL games and other live sports action for Prime members worldwide.
The election night coverage saw Brian Williams hosting the event, marking his return to the news scene and receiving praise from viewers. The set in Culver City, Calif., was criticized by some for being too large, but many viewers appreciated Amazon’s coverage and the range of commentators featured throughout the stream. With Amazon’s previous success in driving Prime membership sign-ups through their NFL streaming deal, the tech giant is looking to leverage live news coverage as a way to further grow their audience and revenue. By offering a non-partisan special drawing from major news sources, Amazon aims to provide a unique and diverse perspective on political events to their viewers.
By entering the live news coverage space, Amazon is looking to further establish itself as a major player in the media landscape. With their investment in sports media rights and cloud computing infrastructure, Amazon has the resources to deliver high-quality live content to viewers around the world. The election night coverage marked Amazon’s first foray into live news coverage, with a range of commentators offering analysis and insights on the unfolding events. Overall, Amazon’s move into live news coverage signals their commitment to providing diverse and engaging content to their audience, while also driving growth in Prime memberships and advertising revenue.
