Amazon is the latest streaming video service to jump into the original programming space.
Amazon Studios is currently soliciting ideas for comedy and children's programming, which will be offered via Amazon Instant Video. Starting today, series creators can upload their proposals to the Amazon Studios website for a chance to be added to the company's instant video lineup.
Amazon said it plans to select one project per month, which will be tested with audiences to see if it has any staying power. If a show is chosen for a full-budget series run, the creator will get $55,000, up to 5 percent of Amazon's earnings from toy and t-shirt licensing, as well as other royalties and bonuses.
Proposals must include a five-page description and a 22-minute pilot script for comedies or 11-minute script for children's shows. Within 45 days, creators will be given a $10,000 option or be invited to add their show to the Amazon Studios site. If they don't get an option, they can remove the show from Amazon's site or leave it up to receive community feedback.
"Amazon Studios wants to discover great talent and produce programming that audiences will love," Roy Price, director of Amazon Studios, said in a statement. "In the course of developing movies, we've heard a lot of interest from content creators who want to develop original series in the comedy and children's genres. We are excited to bring writers, animators and directors this new opportunity to develop original series."
Amazon's series development will be led by Joe Lewis, previously with 20th Century Fox and Comedy Central, and Tara Sorensen, formerly with National Geographic Kids.
Rumors about Amazon original programming first got started in March when Lewis changed his LinkedIn profile to say that he was "Vice President of Original Television" at Amazon. When Fortune noticed and asked Amazon for comment, Lewis changed his title to VP of Production at Amazon Studios.
Amazon's video rivals, Netflix and Hulu, have also expanded into original programming in recent months, with Netflix debuting Lilyhammer and Hulu airing Battleground. Netflix, meanwhile, is also set to revive the cult favorite Arrested Development via its streaming platform, while Hulu recently inked a distribution deal for its shows.
Hulu, however, made headlines this week amidst reports that it was looking to change its business model to one that will require viewers to sign in with a username and password from their cable provider to access paid content, a la TV Everywhere.
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