Apple, Oprah Winfrey sign multi-year deal for TV programming
Apple and Oprah Winfrey have teamed in a long-term partnership to develop programming and original content for what will likely become Apple's streaming video service.
There is almost nothing known about what will be published. Apple's statement on the matter is short, only saying that "Winfrey and Apple will create original programs that embrace her incomparable ability to connect with audiences around the world."
Winfrey had her own television channel, OWN, that is run by her own Harpo Studios, in conjunction with Discovery, Inc. She sold the majority of her stake in the network to Discovery in December 2017, but is still the CEO of the network.
In February 2015, OWN was available to over 70 percent of the US households with cable or satellite service.
The terms of the deal are unknown. The content will likely be tied to the ongoing efforts Apple has undertaken to develop video content -- few of which have borne any fruit as of yet, with the released ones not being particularly successful.
In August of 2017, Apple was said to be investing $1 billion in unique content and programming. Apple's rumored budget is roughly what Amazon spent in 2013 when it launched its first original shows. It's still, however, about half what HBO spent in 2016, making it unlikely that the company will directly tackle industry stalwarts, at least at first.
Since then, Apple also reportedly provided a blank check to Drake for his own shows and movies, and signed a deal with "Star Trek" and "Battlestar Galactica" reboot alum Ronald D. Moore for a new space drama. It is also reportedly paying $5 million per episode on a ten-episode season of "Amazing Stories," a revival of the Amblin Television and NBCUniversal science fiction anthology.
Reese Witherspoon's Hello Sunshine studio is linked to three projects tied to Apple. The first show is as of yet untitled, but features Witherspoon and Jennifer Aniston in a drama based on morning show production.
The second show is development of Nichelle Tramble Spellman's "Are You Sleeping," with the "Serial" podcast creator onboard in an advisory role, and Octavia Spencer starring. The third is a sketch comedy show starring Kristen Wiig.
More recently, Apple signed a deal with "La La Land" writer and director Damien Chazelle, and another with "The Big Sick" writers Kumail Nanjiani of "Silicon Valley" and Emily V. Gordon.
These are all thought to be part of a broader $1 billion investment in original programming, which is considerable but still a lower investment than those of its competitors, such as Netflix's reported $7 billion on original content for 2018.
Other efforts are in progress, and AppleInsider is chronicling them all in a comprehensive list.
There is almost nothing known about what will be published. Apple's statement on the matter is short, only saying that "Winfrey and Apple will create original programs that embrace her incomparable ability to connect with audiences around the world."
Winfrey had her own television channel, OWN, that is run by her own Harpo Studios, in conjunction with Discovery, Inc. She sold the majority of her stake in the network to Discovery in December 2017, but is still the CEO of the network.
In February 2015, OWN was available to over 70 percent of the US households with cable or satellite service.
The terms of the deal are unknown. The content will likely be tied to the ongoing efforts Apple has undertaken to develop video content -- few of which have borne any fruit as of yet, with the released ones not being particularly successful.
In August of 2017, Apple was said to be investing $1 billion in unique content and programming. Apple's rumored budget is roughly what Amazon spent in 2013 when it launched its first original shows. It's still, however, about half what HBO spent in 2016, making it unlikely that the company will directly tackle industry stalwarts, at least at first.
Since then, Apple also reportedly provided a blank check to Drake for his own shows and movies, and signed a deal with "Star Trek" and "Battlestar Galactica" reboot alum Ronald D. Moore for a new space drama. It is also reportedly paying $5 million per episode on a ten-episode season of "Amazing Stories," a revival of the Amblin Television and NBCUniversal science fiction anthology.
Reese Witherspoon's Hello Sunshine studio is linked to three projects tied to Apple. The first show is as of yet untitled, but features Witherspoon and Jennifer Aniston in a drama based on morning show production.
The second show is development of Nichelle Tramble Spellman's "Are You Sleeping," with the "Serial" podcast creator onboard in an advisory role, and Octavia Spencer starring. The third is a sketch comedy show starring Kristen Wiig.
More recently, Apple signed a deal with "La La Land" writer and director Damien Chazelle, and another with "The Big Sick" writers Kumail Nanjiani of "Silicon Valley" and Emily V. Gordon.
These are all thought to be part of a broader $1 billion investment in original programming, which is considerable but still a lower investment than those of its competitors, such as Netflix's reported $7 billion on original content for 2018.
Other efforts are in progress, and AppleInsider is chronicling them all in a comprehensive list.
Comments
She's not a bad person, but she sure started as one. Not interested in her programing.
https://www.recode.net/platform/amp/2018/6/15/17468350/oprah-winfrey-apple-tv?__twitter_impression=true
In the meantime, though, Apple- Can you fix the MBP keyboard? Thanks a bunch.
So you're claiming no one at Apple knows why exactly certain shows are pursued and green lit? What a strange claim. I would bet my life on there being people at Apple who do indeed know why exactly shows are brought onboard.
Oh, you're confusing people outside of Apple for people inside of Apple. I see. Yes that's also strange, that you would expect to know the business reasons people inside of Apple are using to direct their projects.
That said, it might be time to brush up on the forum guidelines. Don't start a partisan fight.
I like my computer companies to focus on technology that my business needs to operate... not daytime TV windbags.
Like those Mac Pros they promised 4 years ago... we get Oprah instead.
https://www.recode.net/platform/amp/2018/6/15/17468350/oprah-winfrey-apple-tv?__twitter_impression=true
https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2017/06/jamie-erlicht-and-zack-van-amburg-joining-apple-to-lead-video-programming/
It still seems like this foray into original content is a result of other things not panning out the way Apple planned. I’m curious what their narrative behind this will be, especially if the driving force is really just extracting more $$ out of existing customers. If it’s bundled with other things and can be pitched like an Amazon Prime type service it could be compelling. If it’s just here’s some original TV programming you can get for $10/mo with no good explanation of why Apple is getting into this space I can see it being a head scratcher.
The final sentence in that article:
"Apple declined to comment on its content plans."
...which is not the same as not having a plan, and not unusual for Apple.
What on earth are you talking about? All of Apple's products fit on a table, and they say No to ideas all the time. They even made a video about it:
Services is a separate income stream than products, and offering music or TV or whatever isn't going to dilute their product designers & engineers any. Different jobs, dude.
Then I read your comment.
Well played, sir.