India proposes regulation on Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, Disney+ Hotstar and more online content

Posted on by Prakhar Khanna

Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, Disney+ Hotstar will now be under the regulation of the Indian government like the rest of the cable TV. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting now has jurisdiction over online content providers and online news platforms. Until now, there was no regulation for the OTT content providers like the aforementioned three streaming services. However, the Information and Broadcasting minister previously said that this was required.

Now, the online content providers and online news platforms sit alongside cable television, All India Radio, and Doordarshan as entities that fall under I&B’s regulatory framework. This comes after the I&B Minister Prakash Javadekar had hinted that the government could regulate online platforms. Two weeks ago, he said: “I have called them twice to talk about a credible self-regulation method, but they have not come up with a proposal.”

Apart from OTT platforms, this new order also covers all digital content sources, which includes online news sites, videos, and images being shared online.

The President of India has now signed into law a new amendment [PDF] by the Government of India (Allocation of Business) Rules 1961 on November 9. It adds the below mentioned two points to the purview of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting:

VA. Digital / Online Media
22A. Films and Audio-Visual programmes made available by online content providers.
22B. News and current affairs content on online platforms.

The content regulated bodies in India include the Press Council of India (governing newspapers), the News Broadcasters Association (monitoring news channels), the Advertising Standards Council of India, and the Central Board of Film Certification. The latest addition comes after the “V. Films” section in the Government of India (Allocation of Business) Rules 1961 [PDF, page 98].

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Amazon Prime Video finally introduces viewer profiles for users across the globe

Posted on by Nadeem Sarwar

Amazon is finally making viewer profiles available to Prime Video users across the globe, after initially testing it in India and a handful of other markets. Just like you would do on Netflix, Amazon’s Prime Video will now allow you to create up to six viewer profiles per account, which also includes a separate ‘Kids’ profile option as well.

Each viewer profile will have different recommendations based on preferences of the person using it, and will separately save their watching progress and watchlist depending on user activity. Out of the six profiles, one will be a default primary profile, while the rest five can be adult or kids profiles that have access to your account.

The Kids profile will only be populated by age-appropriate content, and the search results and recommendations will also be tailored accordingly. As for the regular viewer profiles, they will provide access to the entire Prime Video library, content rented or purchased, live content, and more. Viewer profiles can be created on the web, Prime Video’s Android, iOS apps, and Fire TV apps, and Fire HD tablets among other platforms.

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Amazon Prime Video finally gets a Windows 10 app, brings offline viewing too

Posted on by Nadeem Sarwar

After being spotted a few days ago, Amazon Prime Video finally has its own desktop app for Windows 10. It is free and is now available to download from the Microsoft Store. However, it appears that the video resolution has been capped at HD (720p) for the moment, even though some titles can even go up to 4K quality.

While having a dedicated desktop app is convenient, the biggest advantage it brings to the table is that you can now download content for offline viewing on your PC when you don’t have internet connectivity. So far, this has been limited to the mobile app, and there was no option to download content if you were using a web browser.

However, you can’t control in what folder the content is downloaded for offline viewing. The app’s layout is almost identical to that of the mobile app, from the content library to the video player UI itself. As for video quality, you can choose between the same three tiers that you see on the mobile app – Good, Better, and Best.

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Amazon Prime Video finally gets a shared viewing feature called Watch Party

Posted on by Nadeem Sarwar

Amazon has today launched a new feature called Watch Party, which as the name suggests, will let users remotely watch a movie or TV show together with other people at the same time with a synchronized playback. The Watch Party feature will let up to a 100 people join a viewing party remotely (via TechCrunch).

As of now, Watch Party is only available in the US and is applicable for the entire Prime Video catalog of movies and TV shows, except those that are available for rent or purchase. The host will have playback control, and there is also a chat feature where all the participants can communicate via text messages and emojis.

It must be noted that all participants must also have a Prime subscription to enjoy a co-viewing experience. Also, it is quite private, as only those who’ve received a Watch Party link from the admin can join in. Prime Video’s new Watch Party feature is only available for desktop as of now, and there is no word if – or when – it will arrive on the mobile platform.

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Amazon Prime Video might soon offer live TV content as well

Posted on by Nadeem Sarwar

When it comes to major streaming services, almost all the big names rely on licensed on-demand content, with the only difference being exclusive original shows and movies. It appears that Amazon is planning the next move by bringing live TV content to its Prime Video service.

As per a Protocol report, Amazon might soon introduce 24×7 live TV programming to its Prime Video audience, if the job listings posted by the company over the past few weeks are anything to go by. The live TV channels will reportedly be spread across categories such as news, sports, music, as well as scheduled TV shows and movies.

“We in Prime Video Catalog are building next gen linear catalog systems to provide best-in-class Linear TV experience to Prime Video customers,” says one of the job listings on Linkedin. Amazon is reportedly looking to license complete 24×7 feeds of TV channels that are airing everything from sports events and news to awards shows and soap operas.

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You can watch the One World: Together at Home concert on YouTube here

Posted on by Samuel Martinez

You can join us and millions more to watch the One World: Together at Home to support the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic

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Italy’s quarantined coronavirus hot zones are getting Amazon Prime Video for free

Posted on by Samuel Martinez

The coronavirus has hit Italy with force, the whole country is in lockdown, but at least certain areas will get access to Amazon Prime Video for free

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