The nearly century-old studio is now owned by Amazon and will complement Prime Video. MGM has franchises like James Bond, Rocky, and Creed.

MGM joins Amazon
First came the expansion of Hollywood with Amazon, Apple, Netflix and others, and now comes the consolidation. Disney has acquired 21st Century Fox and Amazon now owns MGM.

MGM has a catalog of more than 4,000 films, 17,000 TV episodes, 180 Academy Awards, and 100 Emmy Awards, including franchises such as James Bond, Rocky, and Creed, and classics such as Thelma & Louise, The Silence of the Lambs, The Magnificent Seven, and Raging Bull.

The content is expected to show up on Amazon Prime Video globally in steps. Future 007 titles and other movies will get an exclusive theatrical premiere but it is not clear if Amazon is planning to reduce the exclusivity window. Amazon Prime Video could also revive classic MGM franchises.

MGM will at first operate as an independant label under Amazon Studios and may even reach the century milestone. MGM, or Metro Goldwyn Mayer, was founded in 1924.

Amazon has paid around $8.5 billion to acquire MGM.

- "We are excited for MGM and its bounty of iconic brands, legendary films and television series, and our incredible team and creative partners to join the Prime Video family," said Chris Brearton, COO of MGM. "MGM has been responsible for the creation of some of the most well-known and critically acclaimed films and television series of the past century. We look forward to continuing that tradition as we head into this next chapter, coming together with the great team at Prime Video and Amazon Studios to provide audiences with the very best in entertainment for years to come."