Original TV content is proving popular among the internet set right now, with Netflix, Hulu and YouTube all betting big on it. Now, it looks like Amazon might be jumping aboard the bandwagon.
What makes us say that? Two pieces of evidence. Let's take them in turn.
First, and most importantly, Joe Lewis—a new executive with Amazon based in Los Angeles—briefly listed his title as Vice President of Original Television at Amazon yesterday. It's since been changed to Vice-President, Production at Amazon Studios, but the original posting certainly suggests that his position is focussed on producing new, original content.
Second, Wired reported last month that Amazon was "looking for television executives to develop original half-hour kids' and comedy series for both online and traditional distribution". At least, that's according to a job advert that appeared online and was then passed around on Twitter.
Both scraps of evidence hint that Amazon is at least investigating the possibility of launching its own original content. Indeed, Joe Lewis sounds like just the man for the job: his Linkedin account points out that his previous experience includes stints as Director of Production at 20th Century Fox and Manager of Development at Comedy Central.
With so many online players deciding to take on the original TV challenge, it will be interesting to see what Amazon comes up with. Perhaps more importantly, it will be interesting to see whether it's actually any good. [Fortune and Wired; Base Image: gothopotam]