Amazon buys more Indian content ahead of launch

Amazon has acquired more local movies ahead launching its streaming service in India later this year.

The e-commerce giant is launching Prime Video in India and earlier this week announced an output deal with feature film producer and distributor Dharma.

The Indian service is expected to launch within weeks. A spokesman said Amazon would not comment on speculation.

It has now inked a deal with T-Series, giving it local streaming rights to the studio’s upcoming movies. Titles will include Tim Bin 2 and Noor.

Amazon has snagged exclusive SVOD rights and said the films covered by the deal will launch on Prime ahead of their TV premiere.

“T-Series is one of the leaders in the Indian entertainment industry.  As a result of this partnership, Amazon Prime members will soon enjoy a wide variety of some of the best Bollywood movies in the country, all within a few weeks of their theatrical release,” said Nitesh Kripalani, director and country head, Amazon Video India.

Bhushan Kumar, chairman and managing director of T-Series added: “Subscription services are being well received by the consumers and holds tremendous future potential in India. We hope to see higher traction and growth in this mode of content distribution.

The Indian and upcoming international services will get Amazon’s growing slate of originals.

Amazon yesterday confirmed three US-originated half-hour comedies that it has taken to series after piloting on Prime Instant Video: I Love Dick, Jean-Claude Van Johnson, and The Tick.

I Love Dick is a comedy based on the eponymous feminist novel and counts Transparent creator Jill Soloway among its exec producers. She also directed the pilot.

Jean-Claude Van Johnson stars Jean Claude Van Damme as the titular secret agent, and The Tick is a superhero parody from Sony Pictures Television.