Amazon has signed a multi-year licensing agreement with Epix, ending the cable company's exclusive deal with rival Netflix.
Epix signed a massive deal with Netflix in 2010 for a reported $1 billion, granting the company exclusive streaming rights to movies from MGM, Paramount and Lionsgate. But the cable company said earlier this year that it was opening the bidding to other players, like Amazon, once the two-year exclusivity clause in its five-year deal with Netflix expired at the end of August.
Also read: Reed Hastings Says Netflix OK if Exclusive Deal with Epix Ends
Netflix has downplayed Epix's importance. CEO Reed Hastings told analysts in July that the cable company's movies are not a major source of viewing.
Under its new deal with Amazon, Epix films will be available through the Amazon Prime Instant Video service. Amazon said the pact bolsters its library of streaming titles to more than 25,000 movies and TV episodes.
Amazon's Prime costs $79 annually and offers users faster shipping, in addition to streaming access to movies and television shows.