Amazon Steals Downton Abbey From Netflix & Hulu – Past, Present, and Future

As of right now, you can watch the hit Masterpiece Classic show Downton Abbey on Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Instant Video. Some time this year, that will no longer be the case.

Amazon has just announced a deal with PBS Distribution that will make Prime Instant Video the only place that Downton Fans will be able to stream the show.

Eventually. Amazon will have exclusive rights to Downton Abbey Season 3 (currently airing) on June 18th, and will gain exclusive rights to the other two seasons “later this year.” No specifics on the actual date that you’ll see Downton disappear from Netflix and Hulu.

Not only that, but Amazon is keeping Downton out of the hands of Netflix and Hulu for the foreseeable future. Prime Instant Video will continue to be the exclusive subscription home of season 4 and season 5, if that actually becomes a thing.

“Our Prime customers have spoken—they can’t get enough of the MASTERPIECE CLASSIC series ‘Downton Abbey.’ The series is consistently in our top most watched TV shows each week, making it the most popular TV series with Prime Instant Video customers, ever,” said Brad Beale, Director of Digital Video Content Acquisition for Amazon. “Prime Instant Video will soon be the exclusive subscription video streaming home for ‘Downton Abbey.’”

This is a big move by Amazon to secure the rights to an extremely popular show. Locking up exclusive rights to Downton Abbey’s past, present, and future is a pretty good wallop to other streaming services – a scheme that Thomas could surely approve of.

There are 16 Comments. Add Yours.

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Donna
February 1, 2013 at 12:55 pm

I don’t like monopolies.

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Wali
February 1, 2013 at 1:04 pm

Amazon it was not expected from you at least.

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TOS
February 1, 2013 at 2:35 pm

I’m glad Downton Abbey will be available on Amazon, but why must Amazon lock out everyone else? Bad form.

- Like (1) Dislike (0)
  Ryan
  February 19, 2013 at 2:44 pm
  
  uhhh Andy, I agree with healthy competition however, Amazon has just created a huge monopoly on Downton Abby. Turning themselves into the only place to watch this is unfair to consumers, and also to the many countries they don’t offer prime to.
  
Like (0) Dislike (1)
Andy
February 1, 2013 at 7:30 pm

I’m happy to see Amazon makiang strides to become a major player in the streaming content industry. Donna pointed out she doesn’t like monopolies; I agree. Healthy competition is great for consumers!

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- Like (0) Dislike (0)
  Ryan
  February 19, 2013 at 2:45 pm
  
  uhhh Andy, I agree with healthy competition however, Amazon has just created a huge monopoly on Downton Abby. Turning themselves into the only place to watch this is unfair to consumers, and also to the many countries they don’t offer prime to.
  
Like (1) Dislike (0)
Luther Owens
February 3, 2013 at 9:43 am

And Amazon likes to charge for all new episodes on top of the prime membership.

Like (0) Dislike (2)
Wedge Internet Marketing
February 3, 2013 at 10:29 am

Does anyone really CARE? Its no breaking bad or Walking dead!

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Robin V, Norise
February 4, 2013 at 6:28 pm

Shame, shame, shame. In light of the green monster greed. Amazon has just did everyone in. Amazon charges too much for it’s movies and now they want to control Downton Abbey. Before I give them my money, I will purchase the whole set from PBS.

- Like (1) Dislike (0)
  Pam
  February 13, 2013 at 2:23 pm
  
  Dont do that, just watch all of season 3 on http://www.pbs.org =)
  
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Aya
February 5, 2013 at 6:19 pm

I was actually waiting to watch Season 3 the right way through Hulu but since Amazon has the I’m going to torrent it because of how greedy this is getting.

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the online business, news and photography
February 13, 2013 at 1:59 am

It’s will change the Amazon credibility.

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Pam
February 13, 2013 at 2:22 pm

Do not succumb to Amazon’s tactics. After getting hooked on Downton Abbey with seasons 1 & 2 via Hulu, I just caught up on season 3, episodes 1-6 on PBS.ORG! Oh, thank you, PBS!

- Like (0) Dislike (0)
  Diane
  March 8, 2013 at 5:13 pm
  
  How about the last episode (7) of Season 3. I missed it!
  
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PCS
February 25, 2013 at 7:16 pm

I thought it was “PUBLIC Broadcast Company”? We need to protest monopolies!!!

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Dawn
March 14, 2013 at 7:36 pm

How did you watch it on pbs.org? I tried, but they want my credit card info. They have a disclaimer stating they won’t charger card, but I’m not giving them the card info. Did you have to give a credit card number?