Amazon.com Inc. Buys Rooftop Streaming Comedy Service

Amazon.com Inc.

acquired the on-line comedy purveyor Rooftop and will fold the business into its Audible books unit, according to a report Monday by Reuters. http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/10/27/us-amazon-com-media-rooftop-exclusive-idUSKBN0IG1XW20141027 San Franciso-based Rooftop operates with a staff of about 17 people and records comedy performances for live or on-demand Internet broadcasts. Rooftop media clients include among others, Apple Corp.'s

iTunes, Pandora Media Inc.

Yahoo Inc.

and Amazon itself. Reuters said the business will become part of Amazon's Newark, N.J. Audible books, acquired in 2008 for $300 million. Audible offers more than 100,000 audio programs and distributes through iTunes and Amazon. Amazon recently moved into streaming video with its Prime instant Video service and Reuters suggested the Rooftop acquisition illustrates a continued expansion in digital content. http://www.amazon.com/Prime-Instant-Video/b?node=2676882011