Amazon CEO Andy Jassy is expressing concerns regarding the exorbitant costs associated with certain television shows, including the poorly received series Citadel featuring Priyanka Chopra. Reports indicate that Amazon spent a staggering $250 million (Rs 2000 Crs) on producing Citadel, which unfortunately failed to make a substantial impact.
As the company prepares to undergo employee layoffs and reevaluate projects, Jassy has called for a comprehensive budget analysis of Amazon’s underperforming shows. Several other shows, such as Daisy Jones & the Six, The Power, Dead Ringers, and The Peripheral, each with a budget of $100 million, also struggled to attract viewers.
Even the highly anticipated Lord of the Rings series, which carried a massive $400 million price tag, faced challenges in retaining its audience. Furthermore, Citadel had to undergo a significant creative overhaul, incurring an additional $80 million in expenses.
Amazon’s spending strategy, which included securing first-look deals with renowned talents, has not yielded the desired results. Consequently, Jassy’s inquiry aims to address concerns over the substantial investments made in underperforming shows. The company is now focused on streamlining operations and optimizing its content offerings as part of cost-cutting measures.