Amazon Video Direct challenges YouTube

In Amazon’s continuing quest to be all things to all people, the online retailer has announced that it will soon allow users to upload their own videos, just like YouTube. Furthermore, they’ll be able to charge money for the privilege, or let Amazon run ads to eventually let some of the revenue trickle back down to them. To incentivize ambitious video producers, the company is also offering $1 million to be split among the 100 most popular videos in any given month — an average of $10,000 per person, although the number will likely vary based on views.