Amazon Opening TV and Movie Development Center in London

We've known for some time that Amazon is planning to make original TV content. But now Bezos and co have announced that Amazon is turning its back on the US, instead choosing to develop a center in London to spearhead its move into media.

The Telegraph reports that the Seattle-based firm has named London "the obvious choice" for the new "digital media development" center, because "Britain has led the way in pioneering on-demand services which allow users to rent films and television over the internet."

Amazon has announced today that it's taking over an eight-story, 47,000 square foot office near Barbican tube station, in the heart of London. Speaking to the Telegraph, Paula Byrne, the center's managing director, explained:

"I wouldn't underplay the value that the UK has brought to this sector. When you look at the specialist skills that are available here, it is the obvious place to come... Innovation is part of the Amazon DNA and we are creating a centre of excellence to design and develop the next generation of TV and film services for a wide range of digital devices."

Amazon currently owns two London-based on-demand media services—LoveFilm and Pushbutton—and the staff from those are expected to move in to the new building right away. From there, who knows what direction Amazon will head in. [Telegraph]

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