Amazon shuffles content execs

New Amazon Studios head Jennifer Salke has made her first major adjustment at the company by rejigging its television execs.

Jennifer Salke

Salke, who joined Amazon from NBC Entertainment in February, has named chief operating officer Albert Cheng as co-head of television.

Cheng, who will retain his COO duties in his new role, had previously run the studio on an interim basis following the resignation of Roy Price after allegations of sexual misconduct.

Additionally, Sharon Tal Yguado, who became head of scripted development following Joe Lewis’s departure in the aftermath of Price’s exit, has been made head of genre series.

In her new position, Yguado will oversee science fiction, fantasy and supernatural-themed series, which have seemingly become a priority after Amazon acquired global TV rights to JRR Tolkien’s epic fantasy The Lord of the Rings for a reported US$250m.

Albert Cheng

Further changes at Amazon have seen chief of current drama series Marc Resteghini named head of drama, with Gina Kwon and Ryan Andolina continuing to serve as co-heads of comedy. Former head of drama Nick Hall has been made head of alternative programming and Georgia Brown will lead UK scripted TV, with Melissa Wolfe remaining head of kids’ programming.

Heather Schuster continues as head of unscripted, the role she took up from Conrad Riggs, who also became part of the exodus after Price left.

The news comes after Amazon acquired French drama Tomorrow is Ours from Newen Distribution here in Cannes.