Building on its promise to expand its in-theater offerings over the next 3 years vastly, Amazon Prime Video and its Amazon MGM Studios arm are now officially the seventh member of the Motion Picture Association (MPA). Entertainment lawyer Los Angeles from Blake & Wang P.A., Brandon Blake, covers this exciting announcement.
First Since 2019
This makes them the first new inclusion in the MPA ranks since Netflix in 2019. Their membership will formally begin on Oct 1 this year. As two of the key “tech giants turned streamers” of recent years, both Amazon and Apple have had question marks hanging over their heads about their real commitment to theatrical releases, both internally and externally.
While the MPA does have a significant interest in boosting theatrical exhibitions, it plays a more neutral role than organizations such as the National Association of Theater Owners. It has significantly broadened its interest in TV and streaming work since Netflix was onboarded in 2019. With Amazon MGM having pushed nine films into theaters this year, however, it is now ahead of traditional MPA stalwarts like Paramount, which has only released six.
A Return for MGM
Not that Amazon has been wholly separate from the MPA to date. Not only has the company itself had a leading role in the MPA’s Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment, mostly working on piracy concerns, but MGM was a member from 1928 through to 2005. Amazon has owned the company since 2022.
This move signals another shifting power dynamic in Hollywood, as the streaming giants increasingly influence the more traditional industry structures. The inclusion of Amazon may also impact MPA’s lobbying efforts, potentially advocating for policies that benefit both theatrical and streaming models. As the lines between tech companies and studios continue to blur, other players like Apple TV+ may also eye similar moves in the future. For now, however, the MPA has gained another streaming stalwart with an eye on theatrical releases.
Film and Television 