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Amazon Sets Up New Licensing Division; Rights to Franchises Like ‘James Bond,’ Prime Video Originals to be Sold

Amazon Sets Up New Licensing Division; Rights to Franchises Like ‘James Bond,’ Prime Video Originals to be Sold

Known for breaking major streaming stories, he’s covered everything from Netflix policy shifts to Peacock’s ad-tier changes. A sci-fi fan and Toshiba Fire TV user, he brings sharp analysis and a love for the genre to his reporting.

“James Bond” fans who hoped the series had found a permanent home on MGM+ will be disappointed to learn that the films may not be there for long. According to Deadline, Amazon Studios is creating a new division for the sole purpose of making licensing deals with other media companies it is calling Amazon MGM Studios Distribution.

Overall, Amazon MGM Studios Distribution will oversee the rights to more than 4,000 film titles, and over 17,000 individual TV episodes. The division will focus on selling titles in “flexible bundles,” which will mean its customers will be more able to pick and choose which shows and movies they want the streaming rights to without having to take things they don’t want.

The division will be responsible for licensing some of the best-known movies Amazon and MGM currently own, including the “Bond” franchise, “Creed,” “Borat Subsequent Moviefilm,” “The Tomorrow War,” and more. On the television side, Amazon MGM Studios Distribution will also sell the rights to shows like “Hunters and “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.” Hulu may have to say goodbye to “The Handmaid’s Tale” in the near future; Amazon owns the distribution rights to that show, and if Hulu is outbid for the show, it may disappear from the service.

The move marks the first time that shows like “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” and other Amazon Originals might be syndicated elsewhere. This factor, combined with the flexible bundling ability Amazon will offer will make its new licensing division highly successful, according to its leader and longtime MGM distribution lead Chris Ottinger.

“Pioneering the distribution of Amazon Originals for Amazon Studios is an exciting opportunity to bring fresh, never-before available quality content to audiences around the globe,” Ottinger said. “In doing so, we will break through the current sales mold by creating custom packages that will fulfill our client’s individual content needs.”

Amazon is just the latest major media outlet to start licensing out its popular franchises in order to generate a new revenue stream. Warner Bros. Discovery started selling the rights to big-name shows like “Westworld” to free streaming platforms such as Tubi and The Roku Channel in order to maximize their revenues after removing them from HBO Max. The company said last week that more such licensing agreements could come this year, while it attempts to determine which properties it will keep for a free, ad-supported streaming platform of its own.

Disney has also signified a willingness to license some content, though it will keep core franchises like Marvel and Star Wars on Disney+. It has not started licensing titles to third parties yet, but Disney is actively looking for any methods possible to bring down streaming losses that still exceed more than $1 billion every quarter.

Amazon does not report financial results publicly in the same way Disney does, so it’s hard to say whether it needs a big influx of revenue from its new Amazon MGM Studios Distribution division. But fans of big-name franchises owned by MGM and Amazon should prepare themselves to see those titles appearing on other streaming services in the next few years.

  • Prime Video

    Prime Video is a subscription video streaming service that includes on-demand access to 10,000+ movies, TV shows, and Prime Originals like “The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power,” “Jack Ryan,” “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” “The Boys,” and more. Subscribers can also add third-party services like Max, Showtime, STARZ, and dozens more with Prime Video Channels. Prime Video also offers exclusive live access to NFL Thursday Night Football.

    …

    Prime Video is included with Amazon Prime for $14.99 per month ($139 per year), or can be purchased on its own for $8.99 per month. A standalone, ad-supported version costs $8.99 per month, while the upgraded Prime Video Ultra tier, costing an extra $4.99 per month or $45.99 per year, adds Dolby Atmos support, ups video quality to 4K UHD, removes ads, and allows for 100 downloads and 5 simultaneous streams. Prime Video offers a 30-day free trial.

    Prime Video currently offers over 25,000 movies and TV episodes, many of which are original productions. Live sports coverage includes NFL Thursday Night Football as well as select NBA, WNBA, and NWSL events.

  • MGM+ App

    MGM+ is a premium subscription streaming service from Amazon MGM Studios that features a curated library of theatrical films, original series, and classic entertainment. It focuses on high-quality, cinematic programming with an emphasis on Hollywood movies, prestige dramas, and action-oriented storytelling.

    …

    The service includes MGM+ Originals such as “From,” “Godfather of Harlem,” and “Billy the Kid,” along with a rotating selection of recent films and an extensive catalog of legacy titles from the MGM film library. Its lineup is designed for viewers who prefer a more curated, movie-first streaming experience rather than a broad, everything-at-once catalog.

    MGM+ operates as a standalone subscription service and is available through its own app as well as via add-on channels on platforms like Prime Video, Roku, Apple TV, Android TV, and other major streaming devices. Subscribers can stream on-demand, with many titles available in HD and select content in 4K.

    With its focus on cinematic storytelling, exclusive originals, and a streamlined catalog, MGM+ appeals to viewers looking for a premium, film-forward alternative to larger general-purpose streaming platforms.


David Satin has been a dedicated News Writer at The Streamable since 2022, covering a wide range of stories in the entertainment and streaming industries. With years of experience writing online, David previously worked as a list writer for Screen Rant, where he gained recognition for his extensive coverage of sci-fi and fantasy genres. His ability to break and analyze major stories has made him a trusted voice in the streaming world. Over the course of his career, Satin has become an integral part of The Streamable team, contributing to some of the most impactful stories in the industry.

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