Apple TV+ current and unscripted chief Kim Rozenfeld steps down

AppleInsider

Apple's head of current programming and unscripted shows Kim Rozenfeld is leaving the position just weeks after the launch of Apple TV+, but the executive will still be working with the iPhone maker via a first-look deal with his own production company.

The head of current scripted programming and documentary/unscripted content for Apple TV+, Kim Rozenfeld is out in favor of working on his company Half Full Productions. Rozenfeld joined Apple in mid-2017, around the same time as three other development executives, and answered to Apple TV+ bosses Zack Van Amburg and Jamie Erlicht, who were his bosses at a previous role in Sony.

Rozenfeld won't be completely separating from Apple, as part of his departure involves setting up a first-look deal with Apple for Half Full Productions, Deadline reports. The first-look deal effectively provides Apple with the first opportunity to acquire content from the production company, ahead of other media firms.

While the circumstances of Rozenfeld's departure is unclear, the signing of a first-look deal suggests it was amicable between Rozenfeld and Apple.

The two sections Rozenfeld managed will be split into two separate roles, with head of scripted development Matt Cherniss overseeing current scripted programming. Molly Thompson, who joined as head of documentaries under Rozenfeld in April, will add to her remit by overseeing documentary film and series programming, both development and current.

chasm

I haven't looked at the full array of shows, but TV+ doesn't appear to have any "unscripted" shows at present (and neither of the previous ones were much good), so perhaps that's where Apple felt they weren't getting their money's worth with him. Glad to see some excellent documentaries; Apple's always had a good eye for them (such as the music docs on Apple Music), and The Elephant Queen looks amazing, so I hope they do more in that area and less in the way of efforts like Planet of the Apps.

pacificfilm

This isn’t corporate anymore. It’s Hollywood. A producer always looking for the next deal. Apple has entered a new game. Plus every Apple fan, as most civilians, has two jobs. One that pays their rent, the second being a film critic.

litoloop

chasm said:

I haven't looked at the full array of shows, but TV+ doesn't appear to have any "unscripted" shows at present (and neither of the previous ones were much good), so perhaps that's where Apple felt they weren't getting their money's worth with him. Glad to see some excellent documentaries; Apple's always had a good eye for them (such as the music docs on Apple Music), and The Elephant Queen looks amazing, so I hope they do more in that area and less in the way of efforts like Planet of the Apps.

speaking of, shouldn’t we be able to access these music documentaries appearing in apple music over at apple tv+? confusing to have two kinds of channels for apple shows.

spamsandwich

Still say it would relatively trivial for Apple to acquire Sony Pictures.

mjtomlin

SpamSandwich said:

Still say it would relatively trivial for Apple to acquire Sony Pictures.

Acquire all of Sony. Move all of Sony’s products to Apple platforms. Then under the Sony brand start creating HomeKit accessories. 

spamsandwich

mjtomlin said:

SpamSandwich said:

Still say it would relatively trivial for Apple to acquire Sony Pictures.

Acquire all of Sony. Move all of Sony’s products to Apple platforms. Then under the Sony brand start creating HomeKit accessories. 

Not sure Sony Electronics would be at all a good fit. 

david h dennis

Apple really needs a movie studio to compete as a streaming service. You can see that with how much more compelling Disney+ is with the back catalogue of Disney movies. The Pixar and Disney cartoons alone give it enormous value. So to me a combination with Sony would be a huge help for them. 

caddyman33

Will Apple TV plus run on mac OS 7.6 ? I really need to upgrade to Mac OS 8.1 on my Molar Mac 

appleexposed

mjtomlin said:

SpamSandwich said:

Still say it would relatively trivial for Apple to acquire Sony Pictures.

Acquire all of Sony. Move all of Sony’s products to Apple platforms. Then under the Sony brand start creating HomeKit accessories. 

Sony Electronics suck. 

canukstorm

mjtomlin said:

SpamSandwich said:

Still say it would relatively trivial for Apple to acquire Sony Pictures.

Acquire all of Sony. Move all of Sony’s products to Apple platforms. Then under the Sony brand start creating HomeKit accessories. 

I'm not sure if you're serious or being sarcastic but this might not be a bad idea.

canukstorm

AppleExposed said:

mjtomlin said:

SpamSandwich said:

Still say it would relatively trivial for Apple to acquire Sony Pictures.

Acquire all of Sony. Move all of Sony’s products to Apple platforms. Then under the Sony brand start creating HomeKit accessories. 

Sony Electronics suck. 

Sony TV's are really good - better than Samsung in my opinion.  Don't forget PS4 franchise - It's the #1 gaming console in the world. Sony Pictures. Sony is also one of the leading camera lens manufacturers for smartphone cameras, etc..

bestkeptsecret

canukstorm said:

AppleExposed said:

mjtomlin said:

SpamSandwich said:

Still say it would relatively trivial for Apple to acquire Sony Pictures.

Acquire all of Sony. Move all of Sony’s products to Apple platforms. Then under the Sony brand start creating HomeKit accessories. 

Sony Electronics suck. 

Sony TV's are really good - better than Samsung in my opinion.  Don't forget PS4 franchise - It's the #1 gaming console in the world. Sony Pictures. Sony is also one of the leading camera lens manufacturers for smartphone cameras, etc..

I agree. What took the photography industry by surprise is how amazing the Sony Alpha series is.

The PS3 was responsible for Blu-ray taking off and I'm looking forward to getting the PS5 next year, especially since it will finally include a 4K drive.

Sony phones (prior to the iPhone) were always interesting and the one I had boasted of a 1 Megapixel camera with a Carl Zeiss lens!

I plan on picking up a Sony 4K TV next, but I hate this trend of new TVs having Android TV and Alexa built in. I want to be able to turn my TV into a dumb display and rely on my Apple TV for the smarts. If that's not possible, I'll probably opt for a 4K projector instead.

edited November 2019

tokyojimu

SpamSandwich said:

Still say it would relatively trivial for Apple to acquire Sony Pictures.

I believe Sony’s decline began when decided they had to own a studio and bought Columbia Pictures. They should have stuck to hardware. Likewise, Apple should just be a neutral provider of everyone’s content. 

philboogie

chasm said:

I haven't looked at the full array of shows, but TV+ doesn't appear to have any "unscripted" shows at present (and neither of the previous ones were much good), so perhaps that's where Apple felt they weren't getting their money's worth with him. Glad to see some excellent documentaries; Apple's always had a good eye for them (such as the music docs on Apple Music), and The Elephant Queen looks amazing, so I hope they do more in that area and less in the way of efforts like Planet of the Apps.

You do know Apple had nothing to do with The Elephant Queen, right? That's an older production, took 4 years to make, and debuted in January of this year.

philboogie

canukstorm said:

Sony TV's are really good - better than Samsung in my opinion.  Don't forget PS4 franchise - It's the #1 gaming console in the world. Sony Pictures. Sony is also one of the leading camera lens manufacturers for smartphone cameras, etc..

Yup. That, and they're the ones that moved the keyboard to the hinge side of Apple's laptops. That way people could rest their hand palms om the machine.

macpro

mjtomlin said:

SpamSandwich said:

Still say it would relatively trivial for Apple to acquire Sony Pictures.

Acquire all of Sony. Move all of Sony’s products to Apple platforms. Then under the Sony brand start creating HomeKit accessories. 

Agreed.  Low P/E and <$100B Mkt cap.  

Applony?  

edited November 2019

gatorguy

chasm said:

I haven't looked at the full array of shows, but TV+ doesn't appear to have any "unscripted" shows at present (and neither of the previous ones were much good), so perhaps that's where Apple felt they weren't getting their money's worth with him. Glad to see some excellent documentaries; Apple's always had a good eye for them (such as the music docs on Apple Music), and The Elephant Queen looks amazing, so I hope they do more in that area and less in the way of efforts like Planet of the Apps.

The Elephant Queen is an excellent documentary as far as I am concerned. I'll probably be watching it again. Between See and that the rest of the Apple content pales in comparison. 

davgreg

mjtomlin said:

SpamSandwich said:

Still say it would relatively trivial for Apple to acquire Sony Pictures.

Acquire all of Sony. Move all of Sony’s products to Apple platforms. Then under the Sony brand start creating HomeKit accessories. 

Why would Apple want the legacy baggage of Sony?

gilly33

tokyojimu said:

SpamSandwich said:

Still say it would relatively trivial for Apple to acquire Sony Pictures.

I believe Sony’s decline began when decided they had to own a studio and bought Columbia Pictures. They should have stuck to hardware. Likewise, Apple should just be a neutral provider of everyone’s content. 

I share your view. You don’t want to get stretched too thin managing all those cogs in big corporate wheel. Apple TV+ is fine. Buying Sony pictures I don’t know about that. 

davidh2016

I have tried watching the first episode of The Morning Show.  Fallen asleep both times I've tried.  I guess that is a sign the show is not for me.