Online retailer Amazon.com intends to enter the battle for living-room viewership in the coming months, launching a free, ad-supported streaming TV service, the Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday, citing anonymous sources.
Amazon is likely to stream original self-produced TV series and perhaps licensed programming gratis for viewers, the Journal reported.
The newspaper said it was unclear how such a service would be delivered to consumers. Amazon did not respond to requests for comment.
Earlier on Thursday, Amazon said it will hold a press conference in New York on April 2, a rare move that comes amid rife speculation that it will unveil a streaming device, such as a set-top box, to rival the Apple TV and Google Chromecast.
Speculation is that Amazon is close to revealing such a streaming device and it will be similar to a USB memory stick, that can pipe video into the living room.
Peter Larsen, vice president of Amazon’s Kindle division, will provide an update on Amazon’s video business at an April 2 event, according to invitations sent out to the press on Thursday.
Amazon stock closed at $338.47 Thursday, down 1.4 percent, or $5.94.