Amazon opens free window for Transparent drama

Amazon is making its acclaimed drama series Transparent available in a day-long free window.

The series launched last year on Amazon’s Prime Instant Video and marked the first time that the streaming service had launched an original using the Netflix simultaneous release model.

Like Netflix, Amazon does not release any viewing data so it is unclear how many people have watched Transparent. It also does not reveal how many Prime subs it has, so the addressable audience for this and other programming is also not known. Amazon has, however, said the series has been the top-ranked series on Prime Instant Video since launch.

The show received widespread critical acclaim and at the Golden Globes in January won the award for Best Musical or Comedy Series, while its star, Jeffrey Tambor, earned the award for Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy Series.

The 10x30mins comedy-drama follows an elderly family patriarch (Tambur) who comes out as a cross dresser and looks at how it impact his life and that of his family. A second season has been greenlit by Amazon and will go on the Prime Instant Video SVOD service later this year.

The free view window will run for 24 hours and allow viewers to watch via the Amazon site or its app for connected devices.

“We’re incredibly proud of everyone involved in the making of Transparent—the team took a risk and it paid off,” said Jeff Bezos, founder and CEO of Amazon. “Big kudos and congrats to Jill, Jeffrey, and all the cast and crew.”