Online streaming video is rapidly changing the TV landscape. Netflix and Hulu are beginning to produce original content that is getting as much media attention as network television. Amazon is now getting in on the fun with orders for five original shows.
Amazon has given the greenlight to Alpha House, Betas, Annebots, Creative Galaxy and Tumbleaf. The shows were chosen after a pilot season which saw viewers give feedback on 14 original pilots. Amazon's pick ups mark the company's first line-up of original programming.
"We are thrilled at the enthusiastic customer response to our first original pilots. Built Amazon Studios so that customers could help decide which stories would make the very best movies and TV shows," says Director of Amazon Studios Roy Price.
"It's exciting to see the process in motion, doing exactly what we set out to do. The success of this first set of pilots has given us the push to try this approach with even more shows - this is just the beginning."
Amazon's five shows feature two sitcoms and three shows for kids. Betas follows four friends has they attempt to start-up their company in Silicon Valley. Annebots is a show for kids about two friends and their android helper. Creative Galaxy is an educational animated series that teaches children about art and creativity. Tumbleaf is another animated series that follows the adventures of a small blue fox named Fig.
A potential stand out for Amazon may be Alpha House. The political satire stars John Goodman (Raising Arizona) and features a cameo by Bill Murray (Ghostbusters). The series follows five US senators living in a rented house in Washington D.C. Show creator Garry Trudeau (Doonesbury) says he's excited to bring the show to Amazon and its customer base.
"We're thrilled to have emerged safely from this harrowing exercise in online democracy. All of us at Alpha House thank both Amazon and its wise and wonderful customer base for such a happy outcome," says Alpha House creator Garry Trudeau.
"As the future of episodic TV packs up and moves to Seattle, we hope the audience will continue to have as much fun watching the show as we have making it."
One Amazon pilot that failed to get picked up was Zombieland. The show based on the movie failed to garner enough viewer support to get the go ahead from Amazon.
