Amazon (NSDQ: AMZN) is acquiring the connected TV app developer Pushbutton, which had built the PS3, *Sony* Internet TV and Samsung Smart TV apps for Lovefilm, which Amazon had bought back in January.
The acquisition means Amazon is also gaining a foothold in to YouView – the UK connected TV consortium of public broadcasters and ISPs – since Pushbutton is a content partner for the yet-to-launch offering.
The connected TV ecosystem is booming, quietly. New TVs from the major manufacturers are coming equipped with apps environments that represent great new distribution opportunities for content owners, especially those with video – and that means an opportunity for vendors like Pushbutton to pitch their services.
Lovefilm had already picked Pushbutton as its long-term partner for IPTV development. It’s not clear why Amazon is buying it outright.
Pushbutton clients also include ITV (LSE: ITV), NatGeo, Turner, Sky and Disney.
Deal terms aren’t disclosed and didn’t figure in Amazon’s quarterly earnings disclosure on Wednesday.