Amazon Reaches Licensing Deal With Bleeker Street

Amazon has reached a multi-year licensing deal with Bleeker Street films that will include exclusive distribution of the company’s theatrical films, the streaming service said Tuesdays.

The deal includes such films as Danny Collins starring Al Pacino, and Pawn Sacrifice starring Tobey Maguire as American chess champion Bobby Fischer. Other films to be distributed exclusively via Amazon Prime Instant Video include the 2015 Sundance Film Festival movie I'll See You in My Dreams, family-drama Captain Fantastic and the Bryan Cranston led Trumbo, said Amazon.

"As we build out our collection of films, it's important to us to share the work of these amazing filmmakers with a broad viewing audience," stated Andrew Karpen, CEO of Bleecker Street. "We look forward to bringing Prime members an entertainment experience we're sure they'll love."

R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.