Two Hints at Stepped-Up Media Rivalry in Online Streaming

The increasing importance of Internet rights for television channels and shows has been vividly demonstrated twice in the last few days.

Comcast and Time Warner announced an unusually comprehensive pact on Tuesday that covers the online streaming of channels like TNT, TBS, CNN and the Cartoon Network.

Meanwhile, media analysts were aflutter about the possibility of Amazon’s starting an online video subscription service that could rival Netflix. Amazon has declined to comment. The blog Engadget published an Amazon.com screen capture on Saturday that suggested that Amazon was preparing an all-you-can-eat video streaming service, which like Netflix could give customers access to a variety of TV shows and films. Barclays analysts said in a note to investors on Monday that they anticipated a service “similar to Netflix’s current platform.”