Netflix might be about to copy Prime Video in a big way ‣ Diverse Daily

For a long time, I’ve followed a simple philosophy when it comes to streaming: keep the experience as straightforward as possible. After a long day, I don’t want to be scouring through multiple different apps to find something to watch. I like to open one app, find what I want, and get on with it. That’s why Prime Video has been one of my go-to streaming services for quite a while now.

Beyond the content Amazon itself offers on Prime Video, it also has Prime Video Channels, which let you subscribe to and watch other streaming services right from within the app itself. This is how I watch and manage my subscriptions to both HBO Max and Apple TV, the two streaming services I watch the most outside of Prime Video. It just makes the whole streaming experience way easier, since all the shows, movies, and recommendations I actually want to see are in one place.

A big reason why Amazon does this with Prime Video is simple: it wants you to turn to its app as the place where you watch everything, not just its own content. And, of course, it gets a decent cut of the subscription revenue along the way, too.

Now, one of Prime Video’s biggest competitors could soon copy its channel strategy, and that’s none other than Netflix, which has never offered third-party streaming services in its app before. But that could soon change.

Netflix could soon partner with Fox and NBCUniversal

Add-on channels may be coming to Netflix in the US

According to a new report from The New York Times, Netflix has recently been in discussions with NBCUniversal and Fox Corporation about bringing Peacock and Fox One to Netflix. However, it’s unclear exactly how this would work. Netflix could simply offer bundles that include either service, or it could go the Prime Video route and add Peacock and Fox One as paid add-on channels within the Netflix app, allowing you to subscribe to each service individually.

The New York Times reports that there is currently no “imminent deal to be announced,” but it certainly seems like Netflix is interested in expanding its content offering beyond its own programming.

Notably, if Netflix did add Peacock and Fox One as paid add-on channels, it would also give subscribers access to much more live sports. Netflix has been betting big on sports lately, broadcasting select MLB events, including the Home Run Derby, as well as select NFL games, most notably its Christmas Day matchups. Next year, Netflix will also host the FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Netflix’s growing focus on sports alone makes me think the streaming giant could be particularly interested in partnering with Peacock and Fox One for that reason, beyond the shows and movies each service offers.

The only issue is that it could confuse Netflix subscribers when shows or movies suddenly pop up that require an additional subscription, which happens on Prime Video quite often.

Netflix has already begun experimenting with bringing outside content to its platform in other markets. In June, Netflix added local live channels from TF1, a French broadcaster, in France. During its July earnings call, Netflix co-CEO Greg Peters said the service was already seeing “promising” results from that expansion.

If Netflix continues to see success with that approach in France, it wouldn’t be too surprising to see the company expand its content offering in the US as well. And if that happens, Netflix could start looking a lot more like Prime Video, with outside streaming services available directly within its app.

Personally, as someone who uses Prime Video Channels for streaming every day, I can definitely see the value and convenience it offers. If Netflix started offering something similar with Peacock and Fox One, I certainly wouldn’t be opposed. The only issue is that it could confuse Netflix subscribers when shows or movies suddenly pop up that require an additional subscription, which happens on Prime Video quite often.

Of course, it’s far from a done deal that any of this will actually happen. But given Netflix’s growing interest in sports and its willingness to experiment with outside content, I wouldn’t be surprised if the company starts looking beyond its own library sooner rather than later in the US and takes a page from Prime Video’s playbook by making third-party streaming services available in its app.