Amazon is launching a video streaming competitor to YouTube

Amazon has announced it’s setting up a new video streaming service to rival YouTube, called Amazon Video Direct.

The service will let any video creators upload their content, which will then entitle them to receive a cut of the revenue. That money can come in by way of royalties through Amazon Prime members streaming the content, revenue sharing through rentals, purchases and subscriptions, as well as ads.

Anyone with an Amazon account can upload videos, and then specify whether they’re free, up for rental or ownership, or exclusive to Amazon Prime members. In addition, Amazon is offering a bonus US $1,000,000 per month to the top 100 Amazon Video Direct content pieces. Amazon Video Direct will be available through apps on smartphones and smart TVs, as well as on the range of in-house Fire TV sticks and tablets, in addition to web access.

Launch partners for Amazon’s new service include some heavy-hitters like The Guardian, How Stuff Works, Mattel, and Samuel Goldwyn Films. Of course, despite the open platform setup and the revenue cuts, the entire plan is somewhat hampered by the service’s limited availability worldwide. Right now, you can only access it in the US, UK, Japan, Germany, and Austria.