Prime Video in Europe is reportedly beginning job consultations with its staff, with less than 5% expected to face layoffs as part of the restructuring process initiated earlier this year. The cuts are part of a larger international restructuring effort within Prime Video, impacting Europe, MENA, and Africa.
The layoffs were announced by VP of Prime Video in EMEA, Barry Furlong, who emphasized the need to prioritize resources and focus on areas that drive the highest impact and long-term success. These changes are aimed at reducing costs and streamlining operations to align with customer priorities.
The consultations are taking place across Prime Video’s European offices, with staff impact estimated to be in the double figures. The restructure has split Europe into two clusters, with “emerging” territories receiving new investments while funding for Africa and MENA has been reduced.
Following the reorganization, Europe is now led by two clusters, EU Established (EU5) and EU Emerging (EUX), under the leadership of Brigitte Ricou-Bellan and Ritchie Ordonez, respectively. In addition, Prime Video is set to appoint a Director of EU Content & Programme Strategy to oversee regional programming functions.
Amazon’s restructuring efforts extend beyond Prime Video, with layoffs also affecting Southeast Asia’s originals team and various units across the U.S., including theatrical, unscripted, and gaming divisions. The company’s focus on profitability over subscriber growth in streaming has led to tough decisions and staff cuts across its entertainment footprint.
Amazon is not the only media company making redundancies in response to economic challenges and shifting priorities in the streaming industry. Paramount Global, Viaplay, ProSiebenSat.1, Channel 4, Snap, Meta, and Google have all made staff cuts for various reasons.
The job consultations at Prime Video in Europe are part of a larger trend within the media industry as companies adjust to changing market conditions and prioritize financial sustainability. While the layoffs are a difficult reality for the affected employees, they are essential for Prime Video and Amazon to realign their operations and resources for long-term success.