Recently departed Netflix exec to become head of global TV
Amazon MGM Studios has recruited recently departed Netflix scripted bigwig Peter Friedlander as its head of global TV.
Friedlander takes up the role previously held by Vernon Sanders, whose exit was confirmed earlier this month.
He starts on 6 October and will lead Amazon MGM Studios’ original projects in the US, while also having oversight of its “global tentpole titles”, according to Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios chief Mike Hopkins.
The hire comes three months after former Paramount exec Nicole Clemens was named vice-president and head of international originals for Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios.
Friedlander, who will also work across MGM Television and MGM Alternative, left Netflix last month after a 14-year run that most recently saw him overseeing its North American scripted series.
He had been the first Netflix staff member to focus purely on originals for the SVoD giant after joining in 2011, taking up his most recent North American remit in 2020.
Friedlander oversaw a raft of Netflix hits ranging from House of Cards and Black Mirror to Stranger Things, Emily in Paris and Wednesday.
Netflix promoted Jinny Howe to oversee US and Canadian output following Friedlander’s exit. She is also working across shows coming out of the streamer’s overall deals and reports into chief content officer Bela Bajaria.
In a note to staff, Hopkins added: “I can’t wait for Peter to ramp up and meet all the teams, and I know he’s equally ready to get started on day one.”
Amazon MGM Studios and Prime Video have been overhauling their top teams over the past six months, a move kickstarted by the abrupt exit of Jen Salke at the end of March.
Internationals chief James Farrell then departed with Kelly Day promoted to take on his remit, while Clemens, the former head of Paramount Television Studios, was hired to oversee international originals for Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios.
Prime Video’s US boss Albert Cheng has also been moved to a new role overseeing AI while former Europe chief Jay Marine, most recently Prime Video’s global sports and advertising topper, is now also in charge of North American operations and its channel subscription service.
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