YouTube has just got some new global competition, after Amazon has announced the launch of its own online video service. Whilst Amazon currently has its Prime Video service to rival Netflix, the new Amazon Video Direct will allow users to post their own videos online and receive royalties for successful content. To start with, the service will only be available in the UK, the US, Japan, Germany and Austria, however it is expected to be expanded worldwide eventually. Jim Freeman, Vice President of Amazon Video, said that the company was “excited to make it even easier for content creators to find an audience, and for that audience to find great content”. Viewers will only be able to watch videos without adverts if they are Amazon Prime members, but all viewers will be able to rent or even buy content from the site.Â
