• The Verge, Monday, January 16, 2012 12:04 PM

On the heels of Netflix making its UK debut, Amazon's LoveFilm has secured the rights to a number of top U.S. TV shows. The UK-based subscription video-on-demand service has partnered with Disney UK to stream shows like "Lost" and "Castle" initially, while other hits like "Desperate Housewives," "Happy Endings" and "Grey's Anatomy" will be launched "later in the year," according to Amazon.

“Shows will be made available as full seasons after their first run on UK television, while previous seasons of some series will be streamable before the next season airs on TV, The Verge reports. Lovefilm recently signed streaming deals with Sony Pictures, Warner Brothers UK, ITV, and BBC Worldwide -- “part of a push to provide more content for subscribers,” The Verge adds. Netflix’s recently announced expansion extended a similar agreement with the ABC-Disney Television Group in the US. 

In the UK, TV programs and movies can now be streamed via Netflix to smart TVs, game consoles, computers, tablets and mobile device for $9.23 per month, Netflix said last week. Reacting immediately to the news, LoveFilm -- Netflix’s main rival in the UK -- lowered its introductory streaming package to $7.69 per month.

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