Amazon Studios Hires YouTube’s Jon Wax as Head of Genre Programming

Reid Nakamura

Amazon Studios has tapped YouTube programming exec Jon Wax to oversee its genre slate, the studio said Thursday.

He takes over the post vacated by Sharon Tal Yguado in May. In the role as head of genre programming, he’ll oversee all of the studio’s genre offerings, including its biggest swing to date, the pricey and hotly anticipated “Lord of the Rings” series.

Wax has served as YouTube Premium’s head of scripted since 2017, overseeing shows including “Cobra Kai,” “Step Up: High Water” and “Impulse.” His departure followed YouTube’s decision to pull back on scripted programming.

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He previously spent several years at WGN, working on series like “Salem” and “Manhattan.” Prior to that, He spent 15 years on the Fox lot, where he was involved in a number of shows, including “Prison Break,” “24,” and “Malcolm in the Middle.”

Variety first reported the news.

Read original story Amazon Studios Hires YouTube’s Jon Wax as Head of Genre Programming At TheWrap