Amazon Eyes <b>Doctor Who</b> Deal as Prime Video Boosts UK Content Spend
At the Edinburgh TV Festival, Amazon's Senior Commissioner for UK Scripted, Oliver Jones, sparked speculation about Prime Video becoming the new home for Doctor Who. Jones expressed enthusiasm for discussing intellectual property (IP) deals and acknowledged his love for the long-running British sci-fi series.
Jones and Nicole Clemens, VP of International Originals at Amazon MGM Studios London, emphasized their plan to significantly increase spending on UK content. This move comes as Disney+ exited its deal with BBC Studios after two seasons due to high per-episode costs and disappointing ratings.
Clemens noted that the investment in British content will be increased 'across the board,' effectively sending a message to the UK production community to come and discuss potential projects. Commissioning power now sits with Clemens in London, allowing for more localized decision-making and a greater emphasis on programming for UK audiences.