It’s true, it’s true, o my readership–one of the biggest online brand names and one of only a handful to survive the great dot-com bubble of the early 2000’s, Amazon, has launched the beta version of its video on demand service.

This will allow Amazon users to watch, via streaming video, any of forty thousand currently available titles.  Requiring no special software, Amazon “rents” the videos for specific fees per individual title.  Since the titles are all streaming in nature, they can’t be seen anywhere where there is no internet access, like on airplanes and such.  At least not currently–I’ve heard more that one rumor that says airlines are working on mobile wireless broadband in the cabin.  Though given the state of the airline industry these days I’m leaning toward doubting it.

But I digress.  There’s one substantial hole in Amazon’s lineup, and that’s Disney and all its related subsidiaries.  Amazon offers no Disney films, and no (Disney-owned) ABC programming.

Will this kill Amazon in favor of competitors Netflix and Blockbuster, et al?  No, I doubt it.  Sure, Disney’s a gaping hole, but anyone who wants streaming video isn’t likely to want ONLY Disney films, so there’s plenty of holes for Amazon to fill.  And, as always, this gives entertainment buffs one more avenue to consider instead of making the long trek to the theatre.

Can you imagine movies  being released in theatres, on DVD, and for digital release on the SAME DAY??  It’s a distinct possibility, especially with backing like Amazon behind it.

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