The American online streaming platform Amazon Prime Video has decided to scale down on content deriving from Africa and the Middle East. This comes as the company plans to restructure its business to be centered around European content.
According to the local publication, Business Insider Africa, this is one of several changes that will occur as the company is making some critical changes to ensure the longevity of the brand, in the process they will also be laying off staff in these markets.
While shows like Trevor Noah’s Last One Laughing South Africa, and Ebuka Turns Up Africa already receiving a go-ahead, the amount of African content on the platform will be reduced significantly.
We’re amped to announce that our very own Trevor Noah is officially the host of Mzansi’s first Amazon Original Series, Last One Laughing: South Africa! pic.twitter.com/f3fNnScvJc
— Prime Video ZA (@PrimeVideoZA) March 30, 2023
Business Insider Africa highlighted that the Amazon Prime company has seen significant job cuts in 2023, and it is uncertain whether this restructuring will be the solution to their problems.
It further said that the European team will be split into two, the first being “EU Established” which will focus on countries like the UK, Germany, France, Italy, and Spain under the supervision of Barry Furlong. While the other will be “EU Emerging” which will be centered around business in Benelux, the Nordics, and CEE. It will be led by Ritchie Ordonez, director of Benelux, CEE, and Turkey.
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Coming soon to Prime Video. #EbukaTurnsUpAfrica #PrimeVideoAdventure #PrimeVideoNaija@Ebuka pic.twitter.com/qGRlif1T2H— Prime Video Naija (@primevideonaija) October 18, 2023
Touching on the latest developments arising at the popular streaming platform, Barry Furlong told Variety – an American lifestyle magazine – that they have carefully looked at the business and are devoted to prioritizing their resources on what matters most to customers.
“I have carefully evaluated our structure in the region and decided to make some adjustments to our operating model to rebalance and pivot our resources to focus on the areas that drive the highest impact and long-term success.
“I have listened and considered the feedback received across the teams over the past 12 months; I believe these changes will improve the operational running of our multi-territory business and allow us to be more agile and focused.”
