Amazon.com launched a service on Tuesday that allows users to post videos and earn royalties from them, in a move that positions the online retailer against YouTube. Amazon Video Direct (AVD) is a new self-service program for creators and storytellers to make their video content available to Amazon customers, including millions of Prime members. The streaming service offera unlimited access to movies and TV episodes, including Amazon Original Series, through Prime Video; monthly subscriptions to SHOWTIME, STARZ, and more; and thousands of titles including new-release movies and current TV shows for rent or purchase.

Video providers have self-service options for distributing their content:

• Included in Prime Video at no additional charge to Prime members
• Available as an add-on subscription through the Streaming Partners Program
• Offered as a one-time rental price or a one-time purchase price
• Available to all Amazon customers ad-supported

Also launching today is the AVD Stars program, which gives video creators a share of one million dollars per month based on customer engagement with their title. Here’s how the program works: Amazon will distribute to creators a monthly bonus from the one million dollar monthly fund, based on the Top 100 AVD titles in Prime Video, in addition to any other revenue earned. Video creators and providers who use AVD to make their titles available in Prime Video will automatically be enrolled. The AVD Stars program launches today and the one million dollar monthly fund will make its first bonus distributions based on streaming activity from June 1st to June 30th.

AVD launch partners include: Conde Nast Entertainment, HowStuffWorks, Samuel Goldwyn Films, The Guardian, Mashable, Mattel, StyleHaul, Kin Community, Jash, Business Insider, Machinima, TYT Network, Baby Einstein, CJ Entertainment America, Xive TV, Synergetic Distribution, Kino Nation, Journeyman Pictures, and Pro Guitar Lessons.

YouTube, which has more than 1 billion users generating billions of views a day, offers a similar free, ad-supported service as well as a $10-per-month subscription option called YouTube Red.