Amazon reportedly looking to integrate live TV with Prime Video

Prime Video’s channels guide

Amazon is reportedly looking at adding live TV to its Prime Video service.

The streamer already plays host to a number of live sports including the English Premier League, but now a new report from Protocol cites recently posted job adverts that give an indication that Amazon is looking to expand this area of operation.

One of the adverts seen by the publication said that Amazon is looking to hire an individual to “redefine how customers watch 24/7 linear broadcast TV content” by “designing the end-to-end customer experience for how customers discover and watch linear TV content.”

Similarly, another job posting is after someone who can help in “building next gen linear catalog systems to provide best-in-class linear TV experience to Prime Video customers.”

The publication also notes that Amazon is “actively pursuing” licensing deals for live and linear programming.

With details scarce, it is unclear at this point whether Amazon is looking to create a cord-cutting competitor to the likes of Hulu with Live TV and YouTube TV – both services which offer something close to a traditional pay TV package delivered OTT – or something entirely different to be integrated into Prime.

The report also comes as several companies look to replicate the live TV viewing experience, with ad-supported streamer Roku last month unveiling an on-screen channel guide and expanding its roster of curated networks in the US.

Integration of linear TV would not require a complete redesign of Prime Video’s makeup. A number of OTT services offered within Amazon Channels offer live linear channels, with Amazon integrating a basic programming guide.