Disney+ hires Amazon's Philip Pratt to lead German-language originals
Disney+ has hired Philip Pratt, Amazon MGM Studios' head of original productions, to oversee its original shows across Germany, Switzerland and Austria.
Pratt will join Disney early next year as a vice president, Variety reported on Oct. 12. A vice president in this context is a senior commissioning executive, someone with the power to order series and run production teams. He will report to Angela Jain, Disney's content chief for Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
The switch closes an 11-year run at Amazon MGM Studios. Pratt is currently head of original productions at Amazon, and his departure as Prime Video's head of originals in Germany was first noted in August by Broadcast International. He starts the Disney role early next year.
At Prime Video, he was responsible for German originals, meaning series commissioned specially for the platform rather than bought in after broadcast elsewhere. Those credits include teen drama 'Maxton Hall,' comedy contest 'LOL: Last One Laughing' and reality competition 'The 50.' All three were developed for German audiences first for Prime Video.
At Disney+, he inherits a younger local operation. Disney+ only launched German local originals in 2021. Its upcoming slate in the region includes 'Vienna Game,' 'Nele Neuhaus Monster' and 'Westwell,' alongside 'Under The Ice,' a Swiss production. All four sit inside the Germany, Switzerland and Austria remit he will lead.
The hire lines up with a wider commissioning plan. Disney plans to invest significantly in series for Disney+ around the world, including tripling the volume of international shows, according to Variety. International shows is the industry term for programmes made outside the United States that premiere on the streaming service locally and can then travel globally.
For viewers, this means a familiar commissioner in a new chair. Writers, producers and crews who develop German-language ideas will now take those pitches to Pratt at Disney+. The next test will be the upcoming titles themselves, and who gets to finish their stories.
