Amazon’s Jon Wax joins Disney Entertainment to oversee int’l originals

Renegade Nell (Source: Robert Viglasky/Disney+)

Jon Wax has left Amazon to join Disney Entertainment as EVP of international original television.

Wax most recently served as head of global TV content strategy for Prime Video and Amazon Studios and originally joined the company in 2019 to oversee genre development, responsible for Lord Of The Rings: The Rings Of Power, The Boys and its spin-off Gen V.

In his newly created role at the Mouse House, Wax will work alongside Kristen Finney, Disney Entertainment’s EVP of international TV strategy & operations, to develop local original content for streaming service Disney+.

Wax will focus on the creative side, while Finney will oversee business operations. They will collaborate with regional leaders and their teams rather than as a centralised leadership.

Upcoming Disney+ international originals include British historical drama Renegade Nell, penned by Sally Wainwright, South Korean supernatural drama Moving, and Lat Am series The Boss.

Based in Los Angeles, Wax, like Finney, will report to Eric Schrier, president of Disney Television Studios and global original TV strategy for Disney Entertainment.

“At Disney Entertainment, our regional teams have done an incredible job building an exceptional slate of locally produced content that has fueled the growth of our streaming platforms,” said Schrier.

“Jon’s vast experience and unique perspective will serve us well as we continue to elevate our global content strategy with impactful shows that resonate with customers around the world.”

Prior to Amazon, Wax spent two years as head of drama series and movies at YouTube Originals and has also held roles at WGN America/Tribune Studios and Fox.