Amazon strikes deal with HBO to stream The Sopranos and The Wire

Amazon has added The Sopranos and The Wire to its library of TV shows after signing an exclusive deal with HBO, both of these sows are very popular and have huge fan base,this is the first time that Time Warner-owned premium cable channel has struck such a deal with an on-line video provider. Until now, outside of HBO’s own channels, its shows have been available only for purchase or DVD rental. this process start on  May 21, as part of Amazon Prime's instant video service will allow people to stream old HBO shows including Six Feet Under, The Wire, Big Love and True Blood and mini-series including Band of Brothers and John Adams.

The deal is limited to the US at present. In the UK BSkyB owns the rights to much of HBO's back catalogue. An Amazon spokeswoman said there were no immediate plans for a wider rollout. "We are always looking to add content in all our territories," she said.

But the deal will be a major boost for Amazon’s library after it increased the price of its Prime service – which includes free shipping and access to streaming content – to $99 a year in March.

Cable companies have become increasingly concerned about “cable cutters” – people who opt not to pay for an expensive cable TV package and instead rely on the internet for their TV.

As the competition has increased, Netflix, the largest online streaming service, has been building its own library of content with award winning shows including House of Cards and Arrested Development. Last year it signed a deal with Disney’s Marvel to develop show based on its pantheon of comic heroes including Daredevil.

On Monday Amazon Prime rival Netflix announced it would increase the price of its $7.99 streaming subscriptions by $1 or $2 a month for new subscribers.

i think that this is a great deal for the Amazon companies, as they teamed up with a popular and well know news and television companies  to promote their videos and show the main and popular shows the channel has from the past.Shows like the Wire and the Sopranos, these show have a popluar fanbase which they'll siyt down and watch the these shows agin on this platform.it will now allow them to expand their business and increase sales and reputation for the business. Also, they have team up with a popular and well trusted companies with this service and this offer,