Amazon Studios hit by layoffs – The Hollywood Reporter

Jennifer Salk

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Amazon Studios is the latest entertainment company to be hit by a round of layoffs.

sources say Hollywood Reporter Amazon Prime Video has reduced its workforce by 100 employees across its technology team and other areas. A small number of MGM employees who joined Amazon as part of its $8.5 billion acquisition of the film and television studio were also affected.

“Like many companies, we have been closely monitoring economic conditions and our regulatory needs and have made the decision to adjust resources,” an Amazon spokesperson said in a statement. THR. As a result, a small number of roles will be eliminated in some teams. We will support affected employees through this transition and thank them for the work they have done on behalf of our customers.”

The layoffs come as Amazon Studios, which is overseen by president Jennifer Salke, which added MGM film and television to its remit late last year, is under increasing pressure to make big hits following years of free spending. like THR I mentioned earlier, Amazon’s big volatility – including Lord of the rings And fort – hampered confusion and frustration as insiders complained of poor visibility in the studio.

rings of power Which represents the most expensive TV show in history, has achieved only 37 percent of the domestic completion rate, sources say, and fort — which debuted on Friday — currently only has a 53 percent rating among critics on Rotten Tomatoes. The global spy thriller has been a recurring topic of internal conversation as a troubled creative vision that required re-shoots inflated the Russo brothers’ bid to an estimated $300 million budget. The series, which Salik green-lit as its biggest swing since arriving on Amazon, aims to launch several local spin-offs and be the cornerstone of an original franchise for the show.

The Amazon Studios workforce cut comes as CEO Andy Jassy said in March that another 9,000 employees would join the previously announced 18,000 job cuts at the company. Amazon Prime Video’s workforce includes approximately 7,000 employees worldwide, more than half of whom joined under Salke’s leadership. Since replacing Roy Price in 2018, Salk has reorganized its executive team several times, causing confusion among showrunners with the broadcaster business as well as friction internally.

Amazon Studios has become the latest entertainment company to be affected by layoffs caused by economic headwinds. Disney, for example, is in the midst of multiple rounds of cuts as the media industry prepares for a potential WGA strike and other economic factors.