Amazon invests in Netflix of AI startup that lets you make your own shows

0
103

Amazon invests in 'Netflix of AI' startup that lets you make your own shows

The company behind the new Showrunner platform is best known as the creators of the AI-generated 'South Park' knockoffs.

 By 

Cecily Mauran

 on 

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Flipboard

robotic hand holding a remote control pointed at a tv

Amazon-backed Showrunner wants you to create your own TV. Credit: XH4D / iStock / Getty Images

Amazon is investing in Fable Studio, the startup best known for a viral AI-generated South Park knockoff.

According to Variety, Amazon's investment (the amount of which was not disclosed) is going towards the startup's new streaming platform, Showrunner, which the company describes as the "Netflix of AI." Specifically, that means a streaming platform that lets users create shows with Showrunner's generative AI model.

In 2023, Fable Studio published a research paper about its SHOW-1 model that trained on South Park episodes and subsequently posted a 20-minute South Park-style clip entirely written, voiced, and illustrated by generative AI. Part of the video's virality was because it was posted during the SAG-AFTRA strike, which dealt with writers and actors negotiating protections against studios use of AI. The video was created without the permission of the South Park creators. Fable asserted in the research paper that it was an "experimental, non-commercial endeavor aimed at exploring the potential of artificial intelligence, voice synthesis, and deep learning technologies."

Mashable Light Speed

But now, Fable has launched a commercial endeavor with Showrunner that went live on Wednesday. The idea is for users to become the creators by generating their own animated shows or inserting scenes and characters into existing shows. Fable CEO and co-founder Edward Saatchi told Variety the company is pursuing partnerships with Disney and other Hollywood studios to license their IP for the platform.

The existing shows created by Showrunner include a Silicon Valley satire called Exit Valley that looks like Family Guy and a show called Everything Is Fine that has a Tim Burton-esque quality. It's unclear whether this is the result of licensing partnerships with copyright holders or from training data acquired without permission. Mashable has contacted Fable Studio for comment.

Showrunner is live in alpha mode on showrunner.xyz and Discord. Saatchi told the outlet that the platform is free to use and watch videos, but will eventually charge $10 to $20 a month for credits for users to want to generate new content.

Mashable Image

Cecily is a tech reporter at Mashable who covers AI, Apple, and emerging tech trends. Before getting her master's degree at Columbia Journalism School, she spent several years working with startups and social impact businesses for Unreasonable Group and B Lab. Before that, she co-founded a startup consulting business for emerging entrepreneurial hubs in South America, Europe, and Asia. You can find her on X at @cecily_mauran.

These newsletters may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. By clicking Subscribe, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Zoeken
Categorieën
Read More
Spellen
New Mechwarrior 5 Mercenaries DLC gives you another campaign to stomp through
New Mechwarrior 5 Mercenaries DLC gives you another campaign to stomp through As an Amazon...
By Test Blogger6 2025-07-09 10:00:13 0 465
Home & Garden
4 Dahlia Growing Mistakes You Might Be Making—and How to Fix Them
4 Dahlia Growing Mistakes You Might Be Making—and How to Fix Them Dahlias are having a moment,...
By Test Blogger9 2025-06-16 12:00:30 0 1K
Technology
FCC proposal would shrink broadband deployment goals
FCC proposal would shrink broadband deployment goals The...
By Test Blogger7 2025-07-22 17:00:33 0 291
Religion
Managing Your Doubts - Greg Laurie Devotion - July 5, 2025
Managing Your Doubts - Greg Laurie Devotion - July 5, 2025Saturday, July 5, 2025Managing Your...
By Test Blogger5 2025-07-05 06:00:16 0 535
Spellen
Marvel Rivals tier list for Season 2.5 - June 2025
Marvel Rivals tier list for Season 2.5 - June 2025 As an Amazon Associate, we earn from...
By Test Blogger6 2025-06-09 17:00:21 0 1K