With the mighty “Game of Thrones” on a somewhat hiatus (at least in the near future), the rest of TV lands on increasingly eager viewers’ minds. Amazon and Netflix are in particular pursuit of the attention of fans and critics, beginning with this morning’s announcement of more Amazon Prime original series, and the release on Friday of The CW’s, a new fantasy show based on the best-selling fantasy novels.
While Netflix remains the most widely accessible destination for online streaming of series, Amazon was always intent on stepping up its original TV production, including for a premium television model. One of those ventures, “The Man in the High Castle,” is already a hit (the show was renewed for a third season on July 6).
Fulfilling its part of the game, Amazon has announced seven additional new series, with another announced today, for a total of 26 series on its service. The new series announced Thursday are:
“Bosch” — Based on Michael Connelly’s bestselling novels, the series is a cop drama loosely based on the LAPD detective Harry Bosch (played by Titus Welliver, also the voice of the Amazon series “Zombieland”). The series is getting a two-season renewal.
“Goliath” — Based on David E. Kelley’s award-winning legal drama from the 1990s, “Goliath” stars Billy Bob Thornton as a washed-up and out-of-work lawyer who finds a glimmer of hope when he returns to his hometown of Chicago. The series was renewed for a six-episode second season.
“Good Girls Revolt” — “Good Girls Revolt” follows the group of young female researchers at a 1970s-era newsroom in New York who fought to be recognized as professionals — and won. The series, a launch on Amazon’s press site, was ordered for a six-episode first season.
“Jean-Claude Van Johnson” — Danny Glover stars as Van Johnson, an off-the-grid bodyguard, actor and action legend, in an adventures-based series described as a comedic “Logan” set in Washington, D.C.
“The Great British Baking Show” — Based on the popular BBC series that turned into a hit musical, the new Amazon series will feature “BBK” bakers among hosts and judges Mary Berry, Paul Hollywood and guest judges Prue Leith and Noel Fielding.
“The New Yorker Presents” — The series has had its own storylines, but much more will be revealed when the series from Brian Yorkey, Alex Gibney and Condé Nast Entertainment (longtime home of The New Yorker) is made available in full, at the same time and on all your smart devices.
“Tokyo Can Wait” — The miniseries follows an aging couple preparing to tie the knot in the then-new city of Tokyo.
A few days ago, the CW announced the release of “The Messengers,” a contemporary take on the comic book trilogy from Robert Venditti and Brandon Seifert (“Bloodshot”).
All this comes at a time when for streaming TV, old holds little appeal, just as for recorded TV viewers who increasingly prefer the Internet to be the place where they can watch whatever they want when they want.
Meanwhile, those who seek out their cable networks on streaming platforms are finding that a few big-name networks like HBO and CBS are exclusive, as are several cable nets for now.
But these are general developments across the industry. At each step, Amazon and Netflix continue to offer viewers the most selection. With that in mind, the renewed interest in original series is a good indicator that streaming TV is quickly and smoothly growing into an increasingly important part of the industry.
And the wider audience does add up. “Lucifer” is already a huge ratings success for Amazon and still TV’s only remaining in-house half-hour comedy (“The Tick” lost a second season recently and “The Expanse” has been canceled). “The Man in the High Castle” has been receiving higher ratings than the series the show is based on, and series creator Frank Spotnitz has said there is already a season four planned.
With no end in sight to the collective obsession of a new generation with all things streaming, competition for your attention is going to be strong.