Sahar Baghery has been named head of content for Amazon’s Prime Video in France, following Isabelle Bertrand.
The Paris-born executive joined Prime Video in 2018 as head of business development for France and the MENA region. He then became head of worldwide business development. Most recently, she led the programming strategy for the EMEA at Amazon Studios.
In her new role, she leads a team of local content experts to negotiate library agreements with studios, buy second-window rights to films and buy first-window rights to screenwriting, films direct to an exclusive platform and documentaries.
The executive, who reports to Brigitte Ricou-Bellan, the country’s director for Prime Video in France, aims to introduce a series and films at an early stage, ideally before the start of production, and will be contributing to co-production and financing. of these securities. Baghery’s team is also actively looking at scripts and scouting for stand ups and other types of live performances.
The executive begins her new role in Prime Video in France at a crucial time. The streamer now wants to invest 20% of its annual revenue in France on local content – both series and films – as part of a French decree stemming from the implementation of the Audiovisual Media Services Directive (AVMS).
Legislation has been put forward by the European Commission to put streaming giants on an equal footing with existing players across Europe. France was the first country in Europe to establish its new rules and regulations.
In addition to acquiring and investing in local content, Baghery’s team also has the ambition to work with international partners – including producers, broadcasters and other foreign television players – on future projects.
While leading the development of the business for France and the MENA region, Baghery played a key role in signing distribution agreements with leading telco companies, including Orange and SFR.
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