#FIRSTLOOK: HIGHLIGHTS FROM AMAZON U.S. ANNUAL UPFRONT

Yesterday evening, Amazon (U.S.) presented its annual Upfront to advertisers, showcasing how Amazon reaches customers through bold creative ideas from the biggest stars in movies, television, and sports. The various announcements as part of the presentation are linked below for your reference.

The Upfront with Amazon (Canada) will take place on Wednesday, May 27 in Toronto, Ontario.

QUOTES FROM AMAZON U.S. UPFRONT PRESENTATION

Tanner Elton, Vice President of U.S. Ad Sales: “Amazon Ads delivers the industry’s largest authenticated reach—90% of US households—and it matters because these signals give us unparalleled precision, that precision drives performance, and that performance delivers outcomes.”

Tanner Elton, Vice President of U.S. Ad Sales: “This week is usually about pitches and promises. We’re showing advertisers how Amazon delivers. How we deliver premium entertainment, authenticated audiences at unparalleled scale, and precisely measured outcomes that help grow businesses.”

Peter Friedlander, Head of Global Television, Amazon MGM Studios: “One of the things we do better than anyone in entertainment is reaching young adult audiences. These are the viewers shaping culture in real time — driving conversation, building fandoms, and bringing brands along for the ride.”

Peter Friedlander, Head of Global Television, Amazon MGM Studios: “With our ambitious slate of Originals, we are focused on the best global selection — big swings and bold creative ideas. And they are anchored by extraordinary talent.”

Alan Moss, Vice President of Global Ad Sales, Amazon Ads: “Prime Video ad-supported customers are watching 17% more hours every month than just a year ago. When the content is this good, people don’t just show up. They stay.”

Alan Moss, Vice President of Global Ad Sales, Amazon Ads: “There’s a difference between reaching an audience, and truly knowing them. Only Amazon gives brands the premium entertainment, authenticated audiences, and the insights to know what moves consumers. All in one place.”

Courtenay Valenti, Head of Global Film, Streaming and Theatrical, Amazon MGM Studios: “We work backward from the customer, delivering series and films across genres that people love — backed by a century of iconic IP from Amazon MGM Studios.”

Courtenay Valenti, Head of Global Film, Streaming and Theatrical, Amazon MGM Studios: “YA is timeless. It’s current day for one generation and nostalgia for another. And we will keep delivering the stories this audience obsesses over — the first loves, the friendships, the moments that shape who you are.”

Escorted: Prime Video has ordered Escorted to series from Warner Bros. Television. The eight episode, half-hour comedy stars and is co-showrun by Emmy® Award winner Brett Goldstein alongside co-showrunner Brian Gallivan. In Escorted, a divorced dad in Manhattan (Goldstein) accidentally becomes a male escort in a romantic comedy about keeping secrets and whether real intimacy can ever be bought.

Fallout: Aaron Paul has joined the cast of Fallout for its third season. Annabel O’Hagan and Dave Register have been upped to series regulars. Fallout Seasons 1 and 2 have surpassed 100 million viewers worldwide, with both seasons ranking in the top four most-watched seasons of all time on Prime Video. Season Three begins filming this summer.

Fourth Wing: Prime Video has ordered Fourth Wing to series, based on the No. 1 New York Times bestselling novel by Rebecca Yarros. Meredith Averill will serve as showrunner. Executive Producer Lisa Joy of Kilter Films will direct the pilot. Executive producers include Kilter Films, Michael B. Jordan’s Outlier Society, and Premeditated Productions.

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power: Season 3 will premiere on November 11, 2026. The globally successful series has attracted more than 185 million viewers worldwide and continues to be one of Amazon’s strongest drivers for new Prime membership sign-ups.

Reacher: Prime Video announced that Reacher has been renewed for a fifth season ahead of its fourth season premiere. The third season reached 54.6 million viewers globally in its first 19 days, making it the most-watched season on the service since Fallout Season 1 over the same timeframe.

Reality Retreat: Prime Video greenlit Reality Retreat (working title), a new series bringing together eleven of reality television’s most recognizable women for a high-stakes wellness retreat. The cast includes Kenya Moore, Christine Quinn, Brittany Cartwright, Tamar Braxton, Kaitlyn Bristowe, Jenn Tran, Julie and Savannah Chrisley, and Hilaria Baldwin. Premiering in 2027.

Ride or Die: Action comedy Ride or Die, starring and executive produced by Octavia Spencer and Hannah Waddingham, will premiere all eight episodes globally on July 15. The series follows best friends who thought they knew everything about each other—except one turns out to be an international assassin. Also stars Bill Nighy, Ed Skrein, and Sylvia Hoeks.

Rose Hill: Prime Video has ordered Rose Hill to series, based on the bestselling romance novels by Elsie Silver. Heidi Cole McAdams serves as showrunner, with Marc Webb directing the pilot. Produced by Temple Hill. The series follows best friends West Belmont, a rancher with commitment issues, and Ford Grant, Forbes’ “World’s Hottest Billionaire,” who’s long carried a torch for West’s sister.

Sex Criminals: Nia DaCosta will direct the pilot and second episode of Sex Criminals. Starring Imogen Poots and John Reynolds, and based on the Image Comics title by Matt Fraction and Chip Zdarsky, the series is co-created and showrun by Emily V. Gordon, Kumail Nanjiani, and Tze Chun, with LuckyChap executive producing.

The Terminal List: All eight episodes of The Terminal List Season 2 will premiere on Wednesday, October 21, 2026. Executive produced by Chris Pratt, Antoine Fuqua, David DiGilio, and author Jack Carr, the season is based on Carr’s novel True Believer and follows James Reece on a globe-trotting espionage thriller across Africa, the Middle East, and Europe.

The Man with the Bag: The holiday heist comedy starring Arnold Schwarzenegger and Alan Ritchson will premiere on Prime Video on December 2, 2026. Directed by Adam Shankman, the film follows a thief recruited by Santa to recover his stolen magic bag and save Christmas. Also starring Awkwafina, Ken Jeong, Jane Krakowski, Liza Koshy, and Michael Cyril Creighton.

Jury Duty: Riding a wave of critical acclaim, Prime Video has picked up a third season of the wildly popular, Emmy® and Golden Globe-nominated Jury Duty franchise. The renewal follows the success of the series’ second instalment, Jury Duty Presents: Company Retreat, which moved the show’s signature hidden-camera format from the courtroom to the conference room.

SPORTS

Thursday Night Football (U.S. Only): TNF on Prime’s fifth year of exclusive coverage will kick off with one of the most anticipated events of the season when the Detroit Lions and Buffalo Bills square off on September 17 at Orchard Park’s Highmark Stadium, the NFL’s newest state-of-the-art venue..