MGM+ appoints Prime Video exec as global general manager to ‘unify US & international’ streamer

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US-based streamer MGM+ has named former Prime Video exec Josh McIvor as its global general manager.

McIvor, who has been with MGM owner Amazon for a decade, will oversee MGM+ operations around the world and reports into Chris Brearton, VP of Prime Video Studios corporate strategy.

Josh McIvor

Brearton said in a memo to staff that the appointment is part of plans to “bring the US and international offerings together as a truly unified global service.”

MGM+ was rebranded from Epic in January and is led by Michael Wright, who McIvor will work alongside.

McIvor is based out of Seattle and will also work closely with Laura Sher, head of MGM+ business operations, and Peter Lops, head of MGM+ finance.

The exec was most recently working on Prime Video’s expansion in Asia and MENA, reporting to VP of international, Kelly Day. Her team will take on his previous remit.

Prior to that, McIvor had helped expand Prime Video in Australia and Canada. He had initially worked at Sony before joining Amazon’s music business in 2013, shifting to TV three years later.

Rebrand & rejig

McIvor’s appointment comes six months since Amazon-owned MGM revealed its linear and streaming service Epix would be rebranded as MGM+, with several new original series unveiled to coincide with the launch.

Godfather Of Harlem

They included the third season of crime drama Godfather Of Harlem, while Hotel Cocaine – from Epix Studios – and Carnival Films’ Belgravia: The Next Chapter (working title) were also greenlit.

MGM+ is also focusing on unscripted, with recent orders for a four-part, as yet-untitled, docuseries chronicling the world’s most infamous haunted house tale: the Amityville murders. San Francisco Sounds (working title), meanwhile, is a two-part documentary series that tracks the history of the San Francisco music scene from 1965 to 1975. Jigsaw Productions is producing in association with Amblin Television and The Kennedy/Marshall Company.

In a memo to staff around McIvor’s appointment, Brearton also pointed to shows such as the second season of From and the third run of Power Book II: Ghost had helped drive subs numbers since the relaunch, although no numbers were provided.

“This is just the beginning of our next chapter. We have big aspirations for MGM+ to represent both a century of iconic film and television and a destination for groundbreaking storytelling,” he continued.

“Josh will oversee the US and international MGM+ business and its continued expansion and integration into a global service, guiding the leadership team on long-term strategic planning, P&L management, distribution strategy, operations and our commercial deals.

“A key part of Josh’s role will be working hand-in-hand with our internal partner teams including product & tech, licensing, devices and distribution to ensure that MGM+ continues to be prioritised as an important part of Prime Video and Amazon.”