Amazon to shut out rival media streaming hardware from its store

[SHSPVR]

I'm now strongly considering cancelling Prime. I don't want a clunky Fire TV box just for one video service, that has yet another remote. I like Chromecast, it's hidden away, and apps just tell it where to stream from. My mobile is the best remote.

I think you've got it the wrong way around; they're not restricting Amazon Instant Video to Fire TV, they're stopping the sale of rival streaming hardware products (Chromecast / Apple TV / Nexus Player) through the Amazon marketplace.

I guest most people are clues as to what Amazon marketplace is which is a third-party sellers

[eiamhere69]

Amazon are going to require new leadership, it's clear the current top boys are running them into a dangerous situation. They've been so used to controlling online retail, they are panicking and trying to lock everyone into their own eco system, but instead are pushing their most loyal customers away, aswell as the majority whom are potential / casual customers.

[Nollauno]

Isn't that anti-competitive?

[Chadders87]

Isn't that anti-competitive?

Yes, but not the illegal kind. A company is within it's own rights to stock or not stock certain products in it's own stores for any reason.
So Tesco won't sell ASDA brands, and Apple won't sell Windows.

The illegal kind of anti-competitive practice is forcing someone else's stores to only stock your product.

[jamadaia]

I think its great they are making these moves in the public space now. For years they have been doing this kind of anti-competitive and nasty treatment to its market place sellers. Knowing full well that they are legally covered, even if it there behaviour is completely out of line.
Poor marketplace sellers have to put up with it as they have choice, and effectively get bullied and pushed around with no recourse. Even raising the concern with them on the forums, gets you a swift kick in the teeth. However 'most buyers don't know or see this, and just see Amazon as a nice, responsible and safe place to buy from without the ugly side of them.
Not even going into the myriad of other nasty offshore business, tax and worker practices they are happily getting away with because they are working the system and staying "legal".