Amazon, Google agree to allow each other's streaming apps

Amazon and Google announced Thursday they had agreed to allow each other's streaming media applications to work on their platforms, ending a spat over video between the tech giants.

The companies said in a statement that the official YouTube apps will be available on Amazon's Fire TV in the coming months, allowing users of the Amazon platform to access the music videos, movies, shows and other content from the Google-owned service.

The agreement also enables Amazon Prime members streaming to Chromecast or using Android TV devices to access Amazon's video content.

The deal appears to end a spat between the two tech giants that made it difficult or impossible for users of one of the video services to use the platform to access the other's.

"We are excited to work with Amazon to launch the official YouTube apps on Fire TV devices worldwide," said Heather Rivera, head of product partnerships at YouTube.

"Bringing our flagship YouTube experience to Amazon Fire TV gives our users even more ways to watch the videos and creators they love."

Andrew Bennett, head of business development for Prime Video, aid the agreement would "give our customers convenient access to the shows and movies they love... customers will have even more ways to stream what they want, whenever they want, no matter where they are."

Amazon and Google are in fierce competition over streaming, but their spat had sparked concerns of anti-competitive conduct by locking out an important rival.

The joint statement said Fire TV users will be able to sign in to their existing YouTube account and access their full library of content.

Chromecast users will meanwhile have similar access to the Prime Video catalog.

Netflix unveils plans for New York production hub
New York (AFP) April 18, 2019 - Netflix announced plans Thursday to create a New York City production center for its original programs that could lead to thousands of new jobs.

Up to $100 million will be invested for an expanded office in Manhattan and six sound stages in Brooklyn.

The new corporate offices will include some 9,000 square meters (100,000 square feet) in Manhattan's Flatiron District and will lead to 127 new executive jobs, up from the 32 currently employed by Netflix in the city.

In Brooklyn, it will lease some 15,000 square meters (161,000 square feet) for its production facilities, which are expected to house thousands of production jobs within five years.

Under a deal with local officials, Netflix will be eligible for up to $4 million in tax credits for job creation.

"Netflix is innovative, creative and bold -- just like New Yorkers -- and the expansion of this cutting-edge company in New York once again demonstrates the Empire State is open for business," Governor Andrew Cuomo said in a statement.

The news comes weeks after Amazon abandoned plans to create an additional headquarters in New York -- a move that prompted bitter comments from Cuomo, who supported the Amazon plan.

The global leader in streaming television, Netflix has been ramping up its original programming as it girds for competition from rivals including Apple and Walt Disney Co.

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Disney throws down gauntlet in war on Netflix
Washington (AFP) April 14, 2019
The battle is on. Walt Disney Co. is bringing its biggest weapons to a new streaming service, including "Star Wars" and Marvel superheroes, in what is expected to be bruising war with Netflix and others for television dominance. The media-entertainment colossus announced its Disney+ streaming service would launch in November in the United States and gradually expand internationally. The new service's subscriptions are due to start at $6.99 per month - less than streaming leader Netflix's most b ... read more