Timeline: Amazon's major acquisitions over the years

FILE PHOTO: Smartphone with Amazon logo is seen in front of displayed MGM logo in this illustration taken, May 26, 2021. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration

(Reuters) - Amazon.com Inc on Wednesday snapped up MGM, the fabled U.S. movie studio behind the James Bond franchise, for $8.45 billion, in what will be its second-biggest acquisition ever as the e-commerce giant moves deeper into several sectors.

The deal opens up a vast library of hit movies and TV shows, for Amazon, including "The Handmaid's Tale", "Vikings" and "Shark Tank", and further strengthens its Prime video streaming service.