Amazon Locks Up Exclusive Streaming Rights for 'Downton Abbey'

Netflix will lose access to season one of British drama

By Todd Spangler, Multichannel News -- Broadcasting & Cable, 2/1/2013 12:33:12 PM

Continuing to wage a battle with Netflix for content rights, Amazon announced a content licensing agreement with PBS that will make the online retailer's Prime Instant Video the exclusive subscription home for streaming the Carnival/Masterpiece co-production Downton Abbey.

Seasons one and two of the series are currently available on Prime Instant Video, and Amazon said they are the most-watched TV series of all time on the service.

Beginning June 18, 2013, Prime Instant Video will be the exclusive subscription service for streaming Season 3 of Downton Abbey, which is currently airing the U.S. on PBS affiliates. Later this year, according to Amazon, no digital subscription service other than Prime Instant Video will offer any seasons of Downton Abbey. Currently, Netflix offers the first season of the show to streaming members.

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