Amazon’s Salke takes oversight of MGM studio ops as integration takes shape

Amazon Studios head Jennifer Salke has assumed full oversight of subsidiary MGM’s film and TV studio operations amid a raft of structural changes.

Jennifer Salke

Salke has been promoted to head of Amazon and MGM Studios as part of the rejig, which also includes new roles for top MGM execs Rola Bauer and Lindsay Sloane and the departure of Orion Television head Bradley Gardner.

Bauer, who was previously MGM’s president of international TV, has been promoted to head of pan-English scripted SVoD TV, while Sloane, formerly the senior executive VP of MGM scripted TV, will now lead US scripted television for MGM.

Amazon Studios head of television Vernon Sanders, who reports to Salke, is behind the restructure of MGM’s scripted TV division, which comes nine months after Amazon’s US$8.45bn acquisition of MGM.

Meanwhile, Orion Television, formerly an independent label under MGM, will be absorbed by MGM US scripted TV division.

The move will result in the departure of Bradley Gardner, who topped the programming team at Orion TV. A memo from Sanders said Gardner is “in discussions” to join MGM under a producing deal.

In addition, Michael Wright, president of Epix (soon to be rebranded as MGM+), has agreed a contract extension to remain in his role. MGM unscripted president Barry Poznick and chief operating officer Chris Brearton will also remain with the company.

News of the MGM shakeup comes on the heels of news that Mark Burnett has stepped down from his role as chairman of MGM Worldwide Television and returning to independent production.