Media Companies Are Creating Video Content for Echo Show

Amazon launched its $230 Echo Show smart speaker this week. The device features voice control powered by digital assistant Alexa and a 7-inch touchscreen with the ability to display photos and video. Another key feature is the speaker’s Flash Briefing that provides a customizable playlist of news updates upon request. Since videos are made available to users through Flash Briefings, media companies — including Bloomberg, CNN, Fox News, NBC and Reuters — are already producing video content specifically for the Echo Show and updating their Alexa Skills.

“CNN is producing a dedicated morning video flash briefing hosted by CNN’s ‘New Day’ anchors Chris Cuomo and Alisyn Camerota,” reports Variety. CNN’s newly updated Alexa Skill now includes video features, “offering access to news clips minutes after they air on TV.”

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Bloomberg is also producing video flash briefings and updated its Alexa Skill to include access to stock charts and info, market summaries and a Bloomberg TV live feed.

CNBC is offering news updates and market commentary via video flash briefings, while its updated Alexa Skill now features videos of Jim Cramer’s “Cramer Remix” program.

People Magazine will offer an entertainment news video flash briefing weekday mornings, notes Variety, and NBC has started video recaps of Jimmy Fallon’s opening monologue and the ability to stream on-demand video.

According to Mashable, “this is a clear signal that Amazon has designs on media optimized for its Echo ecosystem. When will we see Echo Shows in the aisles of Whole Foods streaming Amazon News, interspersed with commercials for items in the store and online, thus completing the picture of Amazon serving as the distributor of… well, everything?”

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