Amazon launches AVOD channel with IMDb

Amazon has launched Freedive, an ad-supported streaming channel featuring movies and TV shows, with the Internet Movie Database (IMDb).

The AVOD will be available in the US beginning today on the IMDb website and on all Amazon Fire TV devices.

Freedive TV customers will see the new IMDb Freedive icon in the “Your Apps & Channels” section.

The channel will enable customers to watch hit TV shows including Fringe, Heroes, The Bachelor and Without a Trace, as well as top Hollywood hits such as Foxcatcher, Memento, Monster and The Illusionist without purchasing a subscription.

Customers can also dive deeper into the titles they are watching by using X-Ray, powered by the information on IMDb about cast, crew, trivia and soundtracks.

IMDb already has a list of original video series, including The IMDb Show, Casting Calls and No Small Parts, which will be available on the service.

IMDb says the Freedive catalogue will continue to evolve, with new titles added regularly.

“Customers already rely on IMDb to discover movies and TV shows and decide what to watch,” said Col Needham, founder and CEO of IMDb.

“With the launch of IMDb Freedive, they can now also watch full-length movies and TV shows on IMDb and all Amazon Fire TV devices for free. We will continue to enhance IMDb Freedive based on customer feedback and will soon make it available more widely, including on IMDb’s leading mobile apps.”

In October, it was reported that Amazon will allow marketers access to its proprietary data in order to help target video advertising on the platform.

The service will see ads appearing between content and will also allow marketers to wrap ads around the video player.