Amazon and CBS are extending their partnership in a new multi-year and multi-series licensing deal that will give the online retailer's streaming service exclusive rights for three new CBS summer series through 2018.
The company already has a preexisting in-season licensing agreement with CBS that allows Prime members to stream series like Under the Dome and Extant four days after their original broadcast without any additional charge.
"Prime members have loved having access to series like Under the Dome and Extant just four days after broadcast, and we're excited to continue to offer in-season availability of more great CBS summer series over the next three years," Amazon Vice President of Digital Video Content Acquisition Brad Beale said in a statement. "We are also always working to ensure our Prime members have the best selection, and we know they will continue to enjoy unlimited access to a wide array of CBS titles to binge-watch anytime, anywhere."
As part of the new deal, Amazon Prime Instant Video will stream CBS's latest comic-thriller, titled BrainDead, which is set to air on the network next summer. From creators and executive producers Robert and Michelle King of The Good Wife, BrainDead will follow the story of a young Hill staffer (played by Mary Elizabeth Winstead) who starts her first job in Washington, D.C. but uncovers some dark secrets: not only has the government stopped working, but there are also aliens who are eating the brains of congressmen and other political players.
The one-hour series will be written and executive produced by the Kings, alongside executive producers Ridley Scott, David Zucker and Liz Glitzier. BrainDead will premiere on CBS next summer, along with other CBS returning favorites like Under the Dome and Zoo.
The deal also extends and expands CBS and Showtime titles that are available to stream on Prime Video, including series like The Amazing Race, Penn & Teller, Twin Peaks, America's Next Top Model, I Love Lucy, Sabrina, the Teenage Witch, Medium, The Tudors and The L Word.
"We're thrilled to build on our relationship with Amazon with new original summer series and more programming from CBS and Showtime," said Scott Koondel, Chief Corporate Licensing Officer, CBS Corporation. "With a truly original, genre-bending concept from outstanding creative auspices, BrainDead will be one of the most talked-about shows next summer by CBS viewers and Prime members."
In the meantime, Prime members can check out the Amazon original series Red Oaks, which will premiere on Oct. 9, and season 2 of the Emmy-winning original series Transparent, which will premiere on Dec. 4.
Amazon Prime Instant Video is available as part of the Amazon Prime annual membership, which costs $99 a year.
