Jeff Blackburn: Last News

Jeff Blackburn, who spearheaded Amazon’s push into video, has joined Roku’s board of directors.

Todd Spangler NY Digital Editor Roku expanded its board with the election of Jeff Blackburn, formerly Amazon’s top digital media and entertainment executive, at the company’s annual shareholder meeting Thursday. Blackburn served as Amazon’s senior VP of global media and entertainment from May 2021 to February 2023, where he oversaw content businesses including Prime Video, Amazon Studios, MGM, Music, Audible, Games and Twitch. Before that, he was the ecommerce company’s SVP of worldwide business development, advertising and entertainment from 2012-20. He had first joined Amazon in 1998 after advising the company on its IPO. “Jeff’s extensive experience in digital media and technologies makes him a great addition to our board of directors,” Roku founder and CEO Anthony Wood said in a statement. “I look forward to his contributions to Roku as we grow our leadership as the TV streaming platform of choice for more than 70 million households.”

Amazon’s future in streaming video has come into greater focus in 2022 with the acquisitions of Thursday Night Football and MGM and the debut of LOTR: The Rings Of Power. Now, the onetime bookseller is headed into 2023 without the main architect of its expansion into TV and film via Prime Video, Jeff Blackburn.

Jeff Blackburn, a 25-year Amazon veteran, who was the prime architect of the company’s expansion into streaming, will be retiring in January. Amazon CEO Andrew Jassy and Blackburn made the announcement in emails to staff this morning, copies of which were obtained by Deadline.

Most of the giant cast of Amazon’s upcoming The Lord Of The Rings: The Rings Of Power series turned out tonight for the show’s Los Angeles premiere. They were joined on the red carpet by famous fans like Michael B. Jordan, Cynthia Erivo, Lena Waithe and Catherine Hardwicke.

A long-time top Jeff Bezos lieutenant, Jeff Blackburn, is returning to Amazon in a new position, SVP of Global Media & Entertainment. He will oversee all entertainment business including Prime Video and Amazon Studios, Music, Podcasts/Wondery, Audible, Games, and Twitch.

Jeff Blackburn, whose 22-year run at Amazon culminated in a role overseeing the company’s streaming efforts, has wrapped up his one-year sabbatical and announced his exit from the company.