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Amazon MGM Studios: a full new age experience

‘We are one of the companies that lead the evolution from OTT exclusivity to international distribution. The material of MGM+, Freeve, has been always opened, and the Amazon Originals have moved from 16 titles available in May 2023, to almost 100 titles for this Mipcom —half movies, half series’, said Chris Ottinger, head of Amazon MGM Studios.

‘We have already two years from the merger, and I might say this is a full new experience vs. the just MGM times. Our daytime is 100% Amazon alike, taking in mind all its segments together, from entertainment to product global deliveries. In MGM we had to support the distribution of the catalogue, to manage the windowing; here we have a mission, to move forward the future of entertainment worldwide, taking Prime Video and our other services to the next level. We have to maximize all sides of business, in particular in our case international distribution, to make the whole more profitable and richer’.

Chris Ottinger, head of Amazon MGM Studios, continues describing the full new experience at the company: ‘The repercussion of what we do is completely different. For instance with our Amazon Original film The Tomorrow War, we were the Movie of the Year at Prosieben in Germany, including unique successes also in TF1 France, Cuatro in Spain, or Veronica in The Netherlands. It is normal to think that our Amazon Original series are more for Pay TV and other OTT platforms, and the films for free TV, but in fact we are providing hi-end blockbusters for a wide range of audiences, as it was not happening in the past’.

‘We are one of the companies that lead the evolution from OTT exclusivity to international distribution. The material of MGM+, Freeve, has been always opened, and the Amazon Originals have moved from 16 titles available in May 2023, to almost 100 titles for this Mipcom —half movies, half series. In Cannes will be promoting our complete slate of films for 2025, that includes about 50 titles. Every big studio is selling, the international distribution has come forever, but Amazon MGM plays a relevant role in the process, because is an online titan and a Hollywood studio at the same time’.

‘After years in MGM and now two years with Amazon, I’ve perceived the complete circle about contents and windows relationship. We have one of the biggest SVOD, so we have top product for SVOD and we need to keep it just for our customers as an important value for them. But after some months, the product must be opened to other audiences, to maximize the exposure and the profitability. It is not a question of products, it is about moments. The films especially but also many series, have as much potential outside that inside our platforms’.

‘What is coming at Amazon MGM Studios that we’ve haven’t seen so far? We can talk about Earth Abides, a sci-fi drama of MGM+ to be launched in December, that describes an extreme plague on the Earth and how few survivors remain against extinction. The main actor is Alexander Ludwig (Ragnar from Vikings) and it is a SVOD top series for all audiences, good for Pay TV and free TV, too. We are making a big launch at Mipcom, including a special screening and customers dinners… It is a step ahead in the evolution, with much more to come’.

Earth Abides

This new take on George R. Stewart’s sci-fi novel of the same name stars Alexander Ludwig (Vikings) and Jessica Frances Dukes (Ozark). When a plague of unprecedented virulence sweeps the globe, the human race is all but wiped out. In the aftermath, as the great machine of civilization slowly and inexorably breaks down, only a few shattered survivors remain to struggle against the slide into extinction.
Cast: Alexander Ludwig (Vikings), Jessica Frances Dukes (Ozark)
Premiere: December 1, 2024 on MGM+

The Handmaid’s Tale

Seasons 1-6
Based on Margaret Atwood’s award-winning, best-selling novel is the story of life in the dystopia of Gilead, a totalitarian society in what was formerly part of the United States. Facing environmental disaster and a plunging birthrate, Gilead is ruled by a twisted fundamentalist regime that treats women as property of the state. As one of the few remaining fertile women, Offred (Elisabeth Moss) is a Handmaid in the Commander’s household and is one of the castes of women forced into sexual servitude as a last desperate attempt to repopulate a devastated world. In this terrifying society where one wrong word could end her life, Offred navigates between Commanders, their cruel Wives, domestic Marthas, and her fellow Handmaids – where anyone could be a spy for Gilead – with one goal: to survive and find the daughter that was taken from her.
Premiere: The final season is currently in production and is slated to premiere in Spring 2025 on Hulu in the U.S.

The Consultant

The Consultant is a darkly comedic workplace thriller that explores the sinister relationship between boss and employee, asking how far we will go to get ahead, and to survive. Inspired by Bentley Little’s novel.
Premiere: The first season of the series aired on Prime Video.

Gladiators (Format)

This revitalized formatsees Gladiators going head-to-head with Contenders in competitions of strength, speed and agility.
Notes:The UK version which aired earlier this year on BBC One was watched by an incredible 9.8 million viewers (28-day figure) in its first season. A second series was quickly ordered. In addition to the UK version of the show, Prime Video has ordered American Gladiators and TF1 has ordered a French version of the show.

Are You Smarter Than…(Format)

This popular format, which has seen success worldwide, introduces a new take on the original concept in the upcoming series Are You Smarter Than a Celebrity? where a single contestant will rely on a classroom of celebrities from screen and sports to help them answer 11 questions from a range of subjects pulled from elementary curriculum, in an effort to win a prize.
Notes: The U.S. version of Are You Smarter Than a Celebrity?is hosted by American NFL star Travis Kelce and will premiere on Prime Video October 16, 2024.

The GOAT (Format)

The GOAT sees14 reality superstars move into GOAT (Greatest Of All Time) Manor to face off in a hilarious competition show in a battle for cash…and the title of Greatest Of All Time.
Notes:The U.S. version of the show, hosted by Daniel Tosh, streamed on Prime Video.

About Amazon MGM Studios

Amazon MGM Studios is a leading entertainment company focused on creating, producing, and distributing Original films and television series for a global audience in more than 240 countries and territories. Amazon MGM Studios also produces and acquires Original movies for theatrical release and exclusively for Prime Video, in addition producing Original content for Freevee, MGM+ U.S., and MGM+ International. The Distribution division licenses Amazon Original films and series, MGM Theatrical Slate Films, MGM Television- and MGM+ Studios-produced current series, and library titles.

Sales Executives

Chris Ottinger

Head, Worldwide Distribution, Amazon MGM Studios