The WarnerMedia-Discovery merger has been a hot news item lately, but when it comes to the streaming wars, there’s a certain $1.65 trillion company we shouldn’t forget about.
Amazon, which has sought to build a streaming audience through some of the biggest properties in sports, is buying MGM Studios in a $8.45 billion deal.
It will be the second-largest acquisition in Amazon’s history after its 2017 purchase of Whole Foods Market for $13.7 billion. The MGM deal comes as the company faces a looming antitrust lawsuit from the District of Columbia.
The online retail giant will pay around $13.2 billion over 11 years for exclusive “Thursday Night Football” broadcast rights. Amazon also holds rights to stream New York Yankees, Premier League, and Champions Leagues games.
MGM would add an impressive film and TV library to Amazon Prime Video, including:
- Classic films dating back to 1924, including “The Wizard of Oz” and “Gone With The Wind.”
- The James Bond, “Rocky,” “Hobbit,” and “Tomb Raider” franchises.
- TV shows including “Shark Tank,” “Survivor,” “Fargo,” and “The Voice.”
The purchase continues Amazon’s media strategy of going straight for the largest properties in sports and entertainment.
Last month, the company was believed to be in talks for rights to the Indian Premier League. The cricket competition’s 2020 season reached an estimated 405 million viewers — more than the entire U.S. population.
