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Amazon Bans All Sales of Chromecast and Apple TV Devices

In an apparent attempt to give itself a leg up in the streaming video market, Amazon is preparing to cease all sales of Apple TV and Google Chromecast devices, according to Bloomberg. No new listings for the products will be allowed and posting of existing inventory will be removed October 29, Amazon said in an e-mail to marketplace sellers.

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The e-mail seems implies that the two competing streaming platforms don't work properly with Amazon Prime Video, not that this is a competition decision. Amazon also insists their goal is to avoid "customer confusion."

"Over the last three years, Prime Video has become an important part of Prime," Amazon said in the e-mail. "It’s important that the streaming media players we sell interact well with Prime Video in order to avoid customer confusion."

Apparently other competing platforms like that of Roku, Sony (the PS4), Microsoft (the Xbox One) will continue to be sold. Currently, Apple TV and Chromecast users are not able to purchase movies and TV shows from Amazon, which has refused to offer a percentage of those sales to the two companies.

Chromecast in particular has been a huge seller on Amazon, and the search giant of course just released a two new versions (one for audio, one for video). The fact that Amazon Prime doesn't work on Chromecast is Amazon's choice, since it's for the developer of the streaming app to incorporate Chromecast support, and Google provides an open and public SDK for use.

Either way, while it's certainly Amazon's right as a retailer, it's a truly bizarre move Amazon's sure to take more than a little heat for.

Most recommended from 74 comments



MacGyver

join:2001-10-14
Vancouver, BC

10 recommendations

MacGyver

Antitrust, anyone?

I'm sure the DOJ is going to be the first one to turn up the heat. Maybe.
moonpuppy (banned)
join:2000-08-21
Glen Burnie, MD

3 recommendations

moonpuppy (banned)

Member

Look at what was said in the article

This quote in particular:
quote:
Currently, Apple TV and Chromecast users are not able to purchase movies and TV shows from Amazon, which has refused to offer a percentage of those sales to the two companies.
This is the issue. Apple wants a cut of the sales even though they do not provide the content. Google as well. Nothing but free money to them.