Amazon Studios to integrate Prime Video, Freevee unscripted units

Amazon Studios in the US is set to combine its Prime Video and Freevee unscripted teams under veteran executive Chris Castallo.

Chris Castallo

With the integration of the teams, Castallo, who previously oversaw unscripted solely for Prime Video, will see his remit expand to include Freevee originals.

The news comes one week after Amazon revealed it was rejigging the management team at AVoD platform Freevee.

Lauren Anderson and Ryan Pirozzi, formerly the co-heads of content and programming at Freevee, assumed new roles. Under the new structure, Pirozzi was tapped to oversee the business side of the streaming service as head of Freevee, while Anderson became head of AVoD original content and programming at Amazon Studios.

Castallo will now report to Anderson, having previously reported to US and global head of development Marc Resteghini.

In addition to Prime Video and Freevee, the integrated team will also programme content for Amazon music and gaming.

Castallo and his team have developed and overseen shows such as Lizzo’s Watch Out for the Big Grrrls, The One That Got Away and the 2022 Academy Of Country Music Awards.

Other recent and upcoming unscripted projects on Freevee include Judy Justice, Hollywood Houselift with Jeff Lewis, Play-Doh Squished and America’s Test Kitchen: The Next Generation. Meanwhile, Prime Video’s recent titles include Cosmic Love, LulaRich, The One That Got Away, Phat Tuesdays, Forever Summer: Hamptons and season three of Making the Cut.