Amazon could be making its next big move—into news. After the success of its free-to-stream special, “Election Night with Brian Williams,” the company appears to be exploring new opportunities in the media landscape.
The special, hosted by former NBC correspondent Brian Williams, was available to all viewers, including those without an Amazon Prime Video membership. According to Variety, the broadcast attracted approximately 4 million viewers, signaling strong interest in Amazon’s live news content.
While Amazon explores a potential news outlet, other media companies have faced challenges. Paramount Global laid off 2,000 employees from CBS News at the end of 2024. Meanwhile, BuzzFeed sold its popular series, “Hot Ones,” as part of a cost-reduction process. BuzzFeed announced that it cut over $150 million in debt by the end of 2023.
News wouldn’t be Amazon Prime Video’s only major endeavor. The platform holds an exclusive contract with the NFL to air “Thursday Night Football.” In addition, its new competition series, “Beast Games,” hosted by YouTuber MrBeast, showcases 1,000 contestants competing for a $5 million prize.
Amazon told Variety its news plans are in early development. The company is reportedly more interested in creating specials tied to major events rather than building a full-fledged news division.