Prime Video Cuts Funding in Africa, Middle East in Favor of Focusing on European Originals
variety.comK.J. Yossman Amazon Prime Video is restructuring its international business to focus on European originals. The re-org includes cutting content and staff in Africa and the Middle East.
Shows from the MENA region that have already been greenlit or contracted are still on the slate, including “LOL ZA” and “Ebuka Turns Up Africa,” but it will stop greenlighting local originals in Sub Saharan Africa, the Middle East and North Africa for the foreseeable future, according to an email to staff seen by Variety.
Although Prime Video will continue to operate in those territories, there will be redundancies in the local teams. Meanwhile the European team will be split into two, both reporting into Prime Video Europe VP Barry Furlong.
One, known as EU Established and led by country director for France Brigitte Ricou-Bellan, will focus on the U.K., Germany, Italy, France and Spain.
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