Just about everyone in Tinseltown has been bowled over by Netflix’s first big original series, “House of Cards.”
Now it’s Amazon’s turn to prove it can pick a hit show for its rival streaming service, although it’s taking a decidedly different tack.
The e-commerce giant has announced it will select six comedy series pilots to jump-start original content for its streaming video service to rival that of Netflix. Creators will get $10,000 for an option and a share of the royalties if their show is produced.
Amazon has said that users will have a say in the selection process, but it hasn’t said exactly what form that will take.
In the next few months, however, expect Amazon to start posting the pilots on its streaming service to solicit feedback.
Amazon will commit money to those that get the most traction, in a twist on TV’s traditional pilot season.
With a new spring in its step, thanks to a jump in its stock price, Netflix is also expected to start bankrolling more original productions to compete with Amazon.