More than 100 million Americans — and 100 million more worldwide — can watch Amazon Prime Video’s catalog of more than 20,000 movies and TV shows. A thriving developer community is building apps to help today’s cord-cutters watch Amazon Prime Video content by offering universal search, recommendations and other services.
Is there an Amazon Prime Video API?
The surprising thing is, Amazon does not make an Amazon Prime Video API available to developers. They certainly have an API that they use internally. And there are good reasons for offering a public API. Developers creating websites or apps that help people find content to watch are helping people use Amazon Prime Video. The same is true for set-top box manufacturers and other companies in the streaming industry.
Yet Amazon does not make it easy to query metadata in the vast Prime Video content catalog. A possible explanation is that public APIs must be maintained and Amazon does not want to make the commitment. Another possibility is they do not want to make the mistake of supporting developers only to shut the API down the way Netflix did.
Whatever the true reason, developers still need a way to let their users discover content on Amazon Prime Video and other streaming services. That is why we created the Flixed APIs for on-demand content.
Find out more about the Flixed API.
What kinds of Amazon APIs are available to developers?
Developers can use several different Amazon APIs to access the company’s services or extend their apps with Amazon-enhanced capabilities. The FireOS APIs, for instance, extend the Android operating system to run on Amazon’s Fire TVs and tablets. The API lets developers take advantage of Amazon-specific features such as 10-foot TV interfaces, tablet touch capabilities and automotive integrations.
Another video related option for developers is the Alexa Video Skills API. Device manufacturers and video service providers use this API so the Alexa voice service will recognize their products. But even then, there’s a catch. Amazon only makes some of this API available to “selected developers.”
None of the Amazon APIs, however, let your apps query the Amazon Prime Video catalog.
Use the Flixed API to enhance your app development
Flixed has compiled the streaming metadata from the catalogs at Amazon Prime Video and other streaming services. Your apps can access those metadata using the Flixed Developer Portal for on-demand content. It’s a straightforward way to add features such as universal search, content recommendations and more to your apps
Flixed’s API bridges the gap between developers and Amazon Prime Video. Over the years, we have served the cord-cutting community by generating informative content and offering unique data services such as the Flixed Live TV Streaming Guides.
Flixed has comprehensive and accurate coverage of the streaming catalog at Prime Video as well as more than a dozen of the top streaming services in the United States. With our RESTful API, your apps can include advanced features such as universal search, streaming availability notifications and more.
We are now making this powerful engine available to developers around the world. The Flixed API helps developers create streaming-aware apps, websites and other products that enhance the user experience and support their business.
Integrate Amazon Prime Video Metadata into your app with the Flixed API
Amazon Prime Video API availability for developers doesn’t have to be an exercise in frustration. Flixed’s simple, affordable API gives developers the tools they need to enhance their products with universal search and other features for the cord-cutting age. Take the first step and sign up for the Developer Portal today.
Kelsey Reynolds is the Content Lead at Flixed.
She holds a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from the University of Minnesota, and has spent her career writing and editing content about marketing, education, emergency preparedness, science, cannabis, and entertainment.
When she’s not at her computer, Kelsey can usually be found working in her garden or walking her two dogs in the park.
