In a anti-competitive move that bumps up against one of Amazon’s core principles – “customer obsession” – the online retailer confirmed that it would no longer allow the sales of some competing media players, including Apple TV and Chromecast, on its shopping site. Specifically, the company informed its marketplace sellers by way of email that no new product listings would be allowed and any remaining inventory would be removed from the site on October 29th.
In a anti-competitive move that bumps up against one of Amazon’s core principles – “customer obsession” – the online retailer confirmed that it would no longer allow the sales of some competing media players, including Apple TV and Chromecast, on its shopping site. Specifically, the company informed its marketplace sellers by way of email that no new product listings would be allowed and any remaining inventory would be removed from the site on October 29th.
Bloomberg first reported this news, following a posting on internet forum reddit which indicated that such a change was underway. Amazon later sent a statement to Variety confirming true move, and they’ve shared that same statement with us as well.
We understand that ban is global, and affects Apple and Google directly as well as marketplace distributors. It also applies to all versions of the devices, including both older hardware as well as newer devices, like the brand-new Chrome casts can bounced this week.
According to Amazon’s statement, its decision has to do with Apple TV’s and Chrome cast's lack of support for Amazon Prime Instant Video service, its Netflix competitor which is one of the many benefits offered as a part of Amazon’s $99 per year membership program.
In other words, Amazon will continue to sell media players that work with Prime Video. Those that don’t will be pulled from the site.
Apple was not immediately available for comment. Google is not offering a public comment.
Bloomberg first reported this news, following a posting on internet forum reddit which indicated that such a change was underway. Amazon later sent a statement to Variety confirming true move, and they’ve shared that same statement with us as well.
We understand that ban is global, and affects Apple and Google directly as well as marketplace distributors. It also applies to all versions of the devices, including both older hardware as well as newer devices, like the brand-new Chrome casts can bounced this week.
According to Amazon’s statement, its decision has to do with Apple TV’s and Chrome cast's lack of support for Amazon Prime Instant Video service, its Netflix competitor which is one of the many benefits offered as a part of Amazon’s $99 per year membership program.
In other words, Amazon will continue to sell media players that work with Prime Video. Those that don’t will be pulled from the site.
Apple was not immediately available for comment. Google is not offering a public comment.
