Wanda Sykes has signed organize a America’s Funniest Home Video type of television program. However, it won’t show clips intentionally shot with a camera or phone – no, it will have videos captured with Ring doorbells and smart home cameras. The program is called Ring Nation, and it’s a production of MGM Television and Big Fish Entertainment. If you’re wondering which common denominator among the three, look no further than Amazon. The e-commerce giant owns MGM and Big Fish, and it bought Ring’s smart doorbell business for $1 billion in 2018.
Based on Limit line, Ring Nation will feature viral videos featuring content like neighbor saving neighbor, marriage proposal, military reunion, and animals doing silly things. In other words, videos you’re likely to come across online if you’re a regular on social media, unless the show also features new content that’s likely to go viral when shared by Ring owners.
Barry Poznick, president of alternative TV & Orion TV at MGM, said: “From the incredible moments, to the hilarious and uplifting must-watches across the country every day, Ring Nation offers a something for everyone to watch at home.”
The fact that Amazon wants to turn videos shot with its smart doorbell into a source of family fun can also feel a bit Black mirror-esque, especially when you consider Ring’s relationship with law enforcement. Senator Edward Markey recently share a revelation revealed that Amazon provided Ring footage to law enforcement in the United States eleven times no court order or user consent.
A spokesperson for the company justified Ring’s actions and told us that the law allows companies to “provide information to government entities if the company believes that the emergency involves a hazard.” risk of death or serious physical injury to any person … immediate disclosure is required.” Tweeting about his revelation, Markey said: “We cannot accept this surveillance as inevitable.” He also uses disclosure as an example about why lawmakers should pass the Facial Recognition and Biometric Technology Act, which he introduced in the hope of banning law enforcement from using the technology.
All products recommended by Engadget are curated by our editorial team, independent of our parent company. Some of our stories include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
