Amazon Content Spending in 2025 Was $22.4 Billion, up 10%
Amazon’s Content Spending Climbs to $22.4 Billion in 2025
Amazon’s total content outlay in 2025, including video and music, increased by 10% to reach $22.4 billion. This information was revealed in the ecommerce giant’s 10-K annual filing with the SEC, following the announcement of its fourth quarter 2025 results.
The $22.4 billion in content spending encompasses licensing and production costs related to content offered through Amazon Prime memberships, such as Prime Video and Amazon Music, as well as expenses associated with digital subscriptions and content that is sold or rented.
Amazon’s produced and licensed video content is consolidated and monetized as a unit in each major region where Prime memberships are available. The total capitalized costs of video and music content as of December 31, 2025, amounted to $21.3 billion, reflecting a 9% increase from the previous year.
CEO Andy Jassy announced that Amazon intends to boost capital expenditures by 50% to $200 billion in 2026, largely driven by investments in artificial intelligence, signaling a shift in priorities from content spending.
Amazon’s content spending also includes significant rights fees paid to the NFL for the “Thursday Night Football” package, estimated at around $1 billion annually. The company’s sports portfolio expands to include rights to NBA, WNBA, NWSL, and UEFA Champions League in certain European markets.
Prime Video’s original series, such as “Fallout,” “Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan,” and “Bosch,” continue to attract viewers, while Amazon’s partnership with MGM Studios has produced new content like “The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power” and “Red One.”
Amazon reported that Prime Video now reaches over 315 million monthly viewers globally, with ad placements available in 16 countries. Advertising revenue for Amazon totaled $21.32 billion in Q4, up 23% from the previous year.
As of the end of 2025, the weighted average remaining life of Amazon’s capitalized video content is 3.2 years, with ongoing reviews of viewing patterns influencing content amortization. Licensing agreements for TV shows, movies, and music content have varying payment structures, impacting asset recognition and liability management.
Amazon’s original video content production costs are amortized based on estimated viewing patterns, further emphasizing the company’s commitment to delivering high-quality entertainment to its audience.
