Amazon Studios Oks production of 5 originals shows for its streaming service

SEATTLE – Amazon says it will start production on a pair of new comedy shows and three new kids shows to air later this year and early next year on its video streaming service.

The shows were chosen from pilots previously aired on Amazon’s Prime Instant Video service. They’re intended to help Amazon better compete with Netflix, which already produces a handful of shows.

The comedies include “Alpha House,” created by Garry Trudeau and staring John Goodman. It’s about four senators who rent a house together in Washington. Meanwhile, “Betas” follows four friends and their new mobile social networking app.

The trio of kids shows includes “Annebots,” which centres on a young scientist and her robot helpers, “Creative Galaxy” an animated series and “Tumbleaf,” which is aimed at preschoolers.