Exclusive Veronica Mars deal for Amazon
January 10, 2014
Ramping up its content exclusivity as it seeks to compete with services such as Netflix and Hulu and positioning itself to take advantage of the forthcoming movie release, Amazon.com has revealed that Prime Instant Video will be the exclusive online-only subscription home for streaming the TV series Veronica Mars in a deal with Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution.
Prime customers can enjoy all three seasons of the popular Warner Bros. Television series starring Kristen Bell, and get caught up just in time for the March 14 début of the Veronica Mars movie.
“The Veronica Mars series has been popular on DVD and Amazon Instant Video for years, so we know how much Amazon customers love this iconic television show,” said Brad Beale, Director of Digital Video Content Acquisition. “We are excited to become the exclusive subscription streaming home for Veronica Mars and to be able to offer the entire TV series to Prime members to enjoy at no additional charge. With the movie coming on March 14, both die-hard fans and new viewers can easily catch-up on this great show.”
“We are thrilled to have Prime Instant Video as a digital distribution outlet for the Veronica Mars TV series,” said Ken Werner, President, Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution. “Digital distribution platforms such as Amazon’s and licensing deals such as this allow the consumer great opportunities whether they’re die-hard fans who just can’t get enough or a new consumer turned fan who has discovered a fabulous show with dozens of new episodes.”
The Veronica Mars movie is coming to select US movie theatres nationwide on March 14th and was made possible by a record-breaking Kickstarter campaign driven by fans of the television show. Launched by Rob Thomas and Kristen Bell, the Kickstarter campaign unleashed an unprecedented level of fan enthusiasm and support, reaching the project goal of $2 million in just 10 hours. At the end of the 31-day campaign, fans contributed $5.7 million, making Veronica Mars the number one funded project in the film category and the third-highest funded project in Kickstarter history. It is the most widely supported Kickstarter campaign ever with more than 91,000 backers, who have remained engaged throughout production with frequent behind-the-scenes updates from Thomas and the film’s cast and crew. Amazon Payments handles all the payment processing for funds raised on all Kickstarter projects in the United States.
Veronica Mars joins other exclusive titles such as Downton Abbey and Mr. Selfridge, Under the Dome and Extant, and other hit TV series including Justified, Falling Skies, Grimm, Vikings, Workaholics, Suits and Covert Affairs.
Amazon Prime members will be able to enjoy the episodes on hundreds of compatible Amazon Instant Video devices including Kindle Fire HDX, Kindle Fire HD, iPad, iPhone, iPod touch, Roku, Xbox, PlayStation and the Wii.