IMDb TV has shifted gears. Amazon’s free, ad-supported streamer is now part of Amazon Studios — and the division has named two Amazon vets as co-heads of content: Ryan Pirozzi and Lauren Anderson, reports Deadline.
Placing IMDb TV under the Amazon Studios umbrella means access to a major talent lineup. Plus, Amazon Studios’ showrunners can program the free IMDb TV service and Amazon Prime Video. (IMDb TV launched in January 2019 as Freedive.)
Pirozzi and Anderson are charged with program development, production, licensing and strategy. The streamer’s content is being finessed, but its TV offerings include “The Middle,” Desperate Housewives” and “Friday Night Lights.” Movies include “Shrek Forever After” and “Empire State.”
The streamer also has a licensing deal with Walt Disney Direct-to-Consumer and International to add more than 20 scripted series, including all episodes of “Lost.”
Amazon Studios head Jennifer Salke noted in a memo: “We are eager to produce and distribute advertiser-friendly content that will surprise and delight current and future IMDb TV customers.” She added the goal of the restructure was to “develop an original and licensed slate that builds upon IMDb TV’s inaugural year of success.”
Previously, Pirozzi was Head of Worldwide Television and Movie Licensing for Prime Video, while Anderson was Head of Strategic Content for Amazon Studios.
IMDb TV is available on the IMDb website or as part of the Prime Video app on Roku, Apple TV, iOS and Android. IMDb TV can be accessed from the Your Apps & Channels row on Amazon Fire TV devices.