• by Wayne Friedman , April 23, 2014

In a first, HBO has made a deal for the repeat airings of its original shows on new digital platforms it doesn’t own -- with Amazon Prime Instant Video -- as well as perhaps taking a swipe at its closest competitor Netflix.

The exclusive online-only multi-year deal for HBO shows with Amazon includes: “The Sopranos,” “Six Feet Under,” “The Wire,” “Big Love,” “Deadwood,” “Eastbound & Down,” “Family Tree,” “Enlightened” and “Treme,” as well as mini-series like “Band of Brothers,” “John Adams” and more.

It also includes deals of current shows from the previous season episodes: “Boardwalk Empire,” “Treme” and “True Blood.” Previous seasons of other HBO shows, such as “Girls,” “The Newsroom” and “Veep,” will air on Amazon three years after its run on HBO.

In addition, HBO GO -- HBO's streaming service of over 1,700 titles -- will become available on Amazon’s new Fire TV service, targeting a launch by year's-end.

“Amazon has built a wonderful service -- we are excited to have our programming made available to their vast customer base and believe the exposure will create new HBO subscribers,” stated Charles Schreger, president of programming sales for HBO.

To date, HBO has only run its original shows on its linear channels, video-on-demand channels, or HBO Go. While HBO has not make other digital aftermarket deals for its shows, HBO reruns have appeared on other linear platforms. “The Sopranos” on A&E, “Sex in the City” on TBS and “Entourage” on Spike.

Although Amazon Prime Instant Video may be viewed as a digital competitor to HBO GO, many analysts believe Netflix is a closer overall competitor to HBO. On Wednesday, midday trading of Netflix stock dropped 2.9% to $362.19. Amazon’s mid-day stock price was down 0.7% to $327.07.

Initial HBO content will be available on Amazon Instant Video on May 21.

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