Vernon Sanders, head of global television at Amazon MGM Studios, is stepping down after seven years with the company.
Sanders announced the news in a memo to staff Wednesday, explaining that while he was honored to take on expanded responsibilities at Amazon, he’s ready to return to what first drew him into the business — the creative side of making television.
“Earlier this summer, I made the decision to return to those creative roots,” Sanders wrote. “Throughout my tenure, the company has repeatedly entrusted me with expanded responsibilities and new challenges. While I have been deeply honored by that growth in scope, I’ve found myself increasingly distant from the day-to-day creative process of making television.”
Sanders first joined Amazon Studios in 2018 after working at NBC, reuniting with then–Amazon chief Jennifer Salke. During his tenure, he oversaw some of Prime Video’s biggest hits including The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, The Boys, Jack Ryan, Fallout, Reacher, The Summer I Turned Pretty, and Mr. and Mrs. Smith.
His departure follows Salke’s own exit earlier this year and comes amid broader restructuring at Amazon, with sports and ads chief Jay Marine elevated and Albert Cheng moving into a new role focused on AI.
Mike Hopkins, head of Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios, praised Sanders’ leadership in a separate note, calling him “a foundational presence” who helped drive the growth of Prime Video. Hopkins added, “On both a personal and professional level, Vernon will be missed by everyone here at Amazon.”
Sanders will remain during a transition period as Amazon works to appoint a new TV chief. No successor has been named, though former Netflix exec Peter Friedlander has been floated as a possible contender.