Sept. 25--Amazon has nabbed the exclusive subscription video-on-demand rights to USA Network's hit freshman hacker drama "Mr. Robot."
The licensing deal with NBCUniversal, which produces the cyber thriller, makes the 10-episode first season of the series available to Prime members in the U.S., Britain, Germany, Austria and Japan starting in spring 2016.
The series, about a young computer programmer (played by Rami Malek) who moonlights as a vigilante hacker, was a breakout hit for USA, finishing as cable's No. 2 drama for the summer, according to the network. It was picked up for a second season.
Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. The deal gives Amazon another title in the exclusive-streaming-rights battlefield against competitors Netflix and Hulu. The streaming arm of the e-retail giant also has exclusive SVOD rights to shows such as "Orphan Black," "Downton Abbey," and "24," in addition to a selection of HBO original series.
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"'Mr. Robot' is one of the most compelling new dramas on television," Brad Beale, vice president of digital video content acquisition for Amazon, said in a statement. "Rami Malek delivers a mesmerizing performance and leads a great cast with an intriguing story full of dark twists. Prime members are going to love binging on this awesome show."
Frances Manfredi, president of NBCUniversal Television and new media distribution, said the agreement will help the show's accessibility beyond traditional entry points.
"We are pleased that Amazon recognizes the high quality of NBCUniversal's content and is partnering with us in a network-friendly way that allows viewers to watch the show when and where they want it," Manfredi said in a statement.
