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Amazon to stream CBS show based on Stephen King novel

The retailer's Amazon Prime members will be able to watch episodes of the new series "Under the Dome" just four days after they air on CBS.

Lance Whitney Contributing Writer
Lance Whitney is a freelance technology writer and trainer and a former IT professional. He's written for Time, CNET, PCMag, and several other publications. He's the author of two tech books--one on Windows and another on LinkedIn.
Lance Whitney
2 min read
Amazon will stream CBS's adaptation of Stephen King's "Under the Dome."
Amazon will stream CBS's adaptation of Stephen King's "Under the Dome." Screenshot by Lance Whitney/CNET

Amazon has scored the rights to stream a new CBS TV series called "Under the Dome."

Based on a Stephen King novel and produced by CBS and Steven Spielberg's Amblin Television, the new show will air on CBS TV starting June 24. And just four days after that, the series will be available for streaming to Amazon Prime members.

The deal between Amazon and CBS (which is also the parent company of CNET) means that Amazon Prime Instant Video will be the exclusive online home for "Under the Dome." Amazon Prime subscribers will be able to stream the series at no additional cost via the Kindle Fire HD, iPhone, iPad, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and a variety of other devices.

And if you're not an Amazon prime member? You'll still be able to buy and download the series via Amazon Instant Video.

Amazon has been trying to amp up its game against Netflix in the streaming video domain. Earlier this month, the retail giant announced that it had grabbed the exclusive online rights for the popular PBS series "Downtown Abbey." Netflix, meanwhile, just laid down a big streaming bet with its original series, "House of Cards."

The Amazon Prime Instant Video library now offers more than 36,000 movies and TV episodes free to Prime members. An Amazon prime membership costs $79 a year, and offers other benefits such as free two-day shipping.

"Under the Dome" tells the tale of a small town in Maine that gets sealed off from the rest of the world by a giant invisible dome. The novel has been a top seller on Amazon among both printed books and e-books.

"Adding a current season major network TV series like 'Under the Dome' to the Prime Instant Video library so shortly after its live airing enables us to increase our exclusive selection of great TV shows and give customers access how, when and where they want to watch it," Brad Beale, Amazon's director of digital video content acquisition, said in a statement.