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Amazon: we haven’t launched Prime, just opened access to our shows

Tech giant Amazon has said it has not launched its Amazon Prime streaming service in Australia, despite allowing Australians to access some of its content.

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Overnight tech reporter Trevor Long discovered he could sign up for the Amazon Prime service from Australia without a geo block, and access some of its video content.

That development was described in various media outlets, including Mumbrella, as a soft launch for the service to coincide with its new show The Grand Tour.

However a statement sent to Mumbrella late this afternoon from an Amazon spokesperson said:

We have not launched Amazon Prime in Australia.  The service some Australians have signed-up for is the US or UK Prime Membership, which provides free, fast shipping within the US or UK, as well as access to some Amazon Originals, such as The Grand Tour, where we have the global rights.amazon-prime-welcome

The spokesperson declined to answer follow up questions around whether the ability to access these shows from Australia without having to use technology to get around the geoblock was opened up overnight.

Long, a tech commentator in the media and writes for EFTM told Mumbrella: “Even if they don’t admit it, what they’ve done here is the smartest thing any company in the situation could do. Make it available, don’t officially launch, but ensure that no-one needs to illegally download The Grand Tour and still have an official launch when the apps are available and the catalogue confirmed.”

The first episode of The Grand Tour, the new show from former Top Gear hosts Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May has just aired, drawing praise from many people on social media.

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