Observed Signal · Aug 3, 2026 · Departure · Source: DWDL · Impact: 2/5 · Sentiment: Neutral
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.
Personnel change at a local content-studio leadership team for a major streaming service; relevant to German streaming production and commissioning but not industry-shifting for AdTech/MarTech.
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Key Takeaways & Evidence Grounding
- Philip Pratt left Amazon MGM Studios Germany after more than eleven years; his departure was announced internally by Tara Erer on 2026-08-03 and Pratt posted about it on LinkedIn.
- He served as Head of German Originals at MGM Studios Germany since 2018 and led German original programming for eight years.
- Productions overseen included LOL: Last One Laughing, Maxton Hall and Perfekt Verpasst.
- No successor has been named; Pratt's direct reports will report to Tara Erer in the interim. Petra Hengge (series), Verena Schilling (films) and Volker Neuenhoff (entertainment) will retain their responsibilities, and Amazon says projects should not be affected.
- Pratt joined Amazon in 2015 and previously led Watchever’s German content unit and founded Jakun Media.
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Ontology Mapping & Concepts
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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.
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.
Petra Hengge on Amazon, Data and Creative Work
This profile/interview with Petra Hengge, head of German originals series at Amazon MGM Studios, covers her role commissioning German-language series, recent leadership departures at Amazon Germany, and her view on data and artificial intelligence in fiction production. Hengge, who joined Amazon in summer 2021 from RTL, emphasizes that data is used to validate intuition but cannot replace creative judgment. She says little AI was used on hits like Maxton Hall and only limited experimentation occurs in post-production. The piece also mentions current projects such as the Switzerland-set Superior and Amazon's upcoming Prime Video showcase in Berlin.
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