Schneider secures top post at Amazon Germany and Austria

Christoph Schneider has taken over as country director of Amazon Prime Video in Germany and Austria, following the recent departure of Kaspar Pflüger. Pflüger, who left at the end of October, had only been with the platform for six months before he left. Schneider is an internal appointment who predates Pflüger’s arrival.

Christoph Schneider

When Pflüger, the former MD of Pro7Sat1, joined the company in early 2022 he took over some of Schneider’s remit. Now, Schneider will take back those responsibilities – along with a new title. As country manager, key areas of development include the streamer’s strategies for SVOD, TVOD, AVOD, Prime Video channels and Prime Video Direct. Commenting via his LinkedIn profile, he said: “I am super thrilled and proud to continue my journey at Prime Video as Country Director Germany/Austria.”

Amazon Prime Video is a major player in Germany. Research from Kantar at the end of 2021 put the platform well ahead of Netflix and Disney+ in terms of new sign ups.

A key driver for the platform is live UEFA Champions League soccer rights, but it has also done well with big budget series like The Wheel of Time. Also on the slate are Fremantle’s We Children Of Bahnhof Zoo and comedy show LOL – Last One Laughing, produced by Constantin Entertainment. LOL has been adapted by Amazon in multiple territories and has become a strong consistent performer.