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Amazon's streaming video chief to leave company this year

As head of Amazon's digital music and video, Bill Carr has worked to position the company against Netflix and Hulu.

Don Reisinger
CNET contributor Don Reisinger is a technology columnist who has covered everything from HDTVs to computers to Flowbee Haircut Systems. Besides his work with CNET, Don's work has been featured in a variety of other publications including PC World and a host of Ziff-Davis publications.
Don Reisinger

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Screenshot by Greg Sandoval/CNET

Amazon's head of digital music and video is leaving the company for points unknown.

Bill Carr this week revealed to workmates that he will be relinquishing his post as vice president in charge of Amazon's streaming services, the Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday. An Amazon spokesperson who confirmed the news to the Journal did not disclose where the 47-year-old Carr will be going next.

Carr has been instrumental in establishing Amazon as a capable competitor to services like Netflix and Hulu. He is widely viewed as a key ingredient in Amazon inking deals with studios to gain access to content and was behind the development of the company's original programming, including the "="" "="" shortcode="link" asset-type="article" uuid="d52efe4a-e9d6-46e3-8c03-99a939c4920f" slug="amazon-renews-alpha-house-picks-up-6-new-series" link-text="popular political comedy " section="news" title="Amazon renews 'Alpha House,' picks up 6 series" edition="us" data-key="link_bulk_key" api="{"id":"d52efe4a-e9d6-46e3-8c03-99a939c4920f","slug":"amazon-renews-alpha-house-picks-up-6-new-series","contentType":null,"edition":"us","topic":{"slug":"internet"},"metaData":{"typeTitle":null,"hubTopicPathString":"Internet","reviewType":null},"section":"news"}">

A longtime Amazon employee, Carr started with the company in 1999 in its video unit. He moved into his new role a few years ago as the tides turned and DVDs and Blu-ray became a secondary medium for many video watchers. He was also given control over Amazon's music services, which included the launch earlier this year of its Prime music-streaming service.

CNET has contacted Amazon for comment. We will update this story when we have more information.