Observed Signal · Sep 19, 2026 · Hiring · Source: DWDL · Impact: 3/5 · Sentiment: Negative
Apple TV Germany Head Departs, London Takes Over
Franziska An der Gassen, Head of Original Content for Apple TV in Germany, is leaving the company at the end of September 2026, after nearly five years. She joined Apple in early 2022 as a Creative Executive and built the local originals business from Munich, reporting to Jay Hunt. Under her leadership, Apple TV produced its first German series, including 'Where's Wanda?' (2024) and the award-winning 'Krank Berlin'. A direct successor will not be appointed; instead, responsibility for German originals will move to London, continuing a trend of streamers reducing top-level local personnel in Germany. This structural change may reduce local autonomy, and while Apple TV will continue producing in Germany, future investment in local creativity is uncertain.
Personnel change at a major streaming platform (Apple TV) affecting German originals strategy, relevant for streaming and content acquisition but not core AdTech.
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Key Takeaways & Evidence Grounding
- Franziska An der Gassen leaves Apple TV at the end of September 2026.
- She was Head of Original Content for Apple TV Germany, based in Munich, joining in early 2022.
- Under her leadership, Apple launched its first German originals 'Where's Wanda?' and 'Krank Berlin'.
- 'Krank Berlin' won the German Television Award for Best Drama Series and the Grimme Prize.
- No direct successor; German originals will be managed from London.
Connected Companies & Entities
7 Entities mapped“Franziska An der Gassen leaves Apple TV, operations are taken over by London.”
“ZDF stepped in after their withdrawal.”
“Originally developed for Sky.”
“Originally developed for Sky.”
“The series 'Where's Wanda?' produced by UFA Fiction.”
Ontology Mapping & Concepts
Related Market Signals & Shifts
Recent verified developments and strategic activity across this market segment.
Prime Video Germany Loses Third Senior Executive in Nine Months
Prime Video's German operation has seen three senior departures within nine months, raising questions about the service's future local strategy. Country Manager Christoph Schneider left amid Amazon's re-centralization, Head of German Originals Philip Pratt has departed earlier, and Andreas Hartmann — Head of Content for the German-speaking region — confirmed he left last week. The article notes Prime Video had moved toward a more mainstream slate and established partnerships and measurement practices in Germany, but the loss of familiar contacts and the absence of named replacements create uncertainty for coproductions, licensing and programming decisions going forward.
Philip Pratt leaves Amazon MGM Studios Germany
Philip Pratt, head of German Originals for Prime Video and Head of German Originals at Amazon MGM Studios Germany, has left the company after more than eleven years to pursue an opportunity outside Amazon. His departure was communicated internally by Tara Erer on August 3, 2026 and Pratt also announced it on LinkedIn; he has not disclosed his next role. Pratt became Head of German Originals at MGM Studios Germany in 2018 and led German original programming for eight years, overseeing titles including LOL: Last One Laughing, Maxton Hall and Perfekt Verpasst. A successor has not been named; Pratt’s direct reports will report to Tara Erer in the interim, while Petra Hengge (series), Verena Schilling (films) and Volker Neuenhoff (entertainment) retain responsibilities. Amazon says ongoing and planned projects should not be affected. Pratt joined Amazon in 2015 after roles including leading Watchever’s German content unit and founding Jakun Media.
Philip Pratt Named Disney+ Local Originals Head for DACH
Philip Pratt, former head of German originals at Amazon MGM Studios, will join The Walt Disney Company in early 2027 as Vice President of Original Production for Germany, Austria, and Switzerland (DACH). He will oversee all local Disney+ productions in the region, reporting to Angela Jain, Head of Content EMEA. The position had been vacant since Benjamina Mirnik-Voges's departure in April 2025. Disney's Country Manager for DACH, Eun-Ky Park, stated the company plans to triple its investment in local productions, and Disney aims to triple its international original series volume on Disney+ within three years. Pratt brings over a decade of experience, having led Prime Video German originals including 'Maxton Hall'. Disney highlights its local production success with over 30 nominations and 13 awards for German originals since 2021, underscoring its strategic focus on expanding local content to drive subscriber growth.
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