“In the war for talent, Apple has just scored a major victory,” Lesley Goldberg reports for The Hollywood Reporter. “The tech giant and eventual streamer has inked a multiple-year content partnership with Oprah Winfrey. Under the pact, terms of which were not immediately available, Winfrey and Apple will create original content that will be released as part of the latter’s lineup of content.”
“Sources say the pact includes everything from film, TV, applications, books and other content that could easily be distributed on Apple’s all-encompassing platform,” Goldberg reports. “Sources note that Winfrey landed at Apple in a competitive situation with other tech giants, likely including Netflix and Amazon, all pursuing similar deals. Apple is said to have aggressively pursued Winfrey as part of a larger push to reach a broad audience.”
“The deal is non-exclusive as Winfrey will continue to remain chairman and CEO of Discovery Communications-backed cable network OWN,” Goldberg reports. “Winfrey’s OWN exclusivity remains same she has always had since the formation of the cable network. She is exclusive to OWN for pay cable for on-camera work and has the ability to render on-camera services on other platforms on a limited basis. That allows Winfrey an opportunity to have on-camera roles on potential Apple content. Winfrey’s deal with Apple comes amid a growing arms race for established writers and producers after Netflix poached Shonda Rhimes [from ABC Studios]…”
Read more in the full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: Oprah, Apple. Apple, Oprah.
Apple to Netflix: “Nice Shonda Rhimes move. Oh, BTW: Checkmate.”
SEE ALSO:
Apple’s original content is further along than you think with 16 new shows in the works – June 15, 2018
Apple is close to a deal for an animated feature film – June 14, 2018
Breaking Bad’s Aaron Paul join Apple’s upcoming drama ‘Are You Sleeping?’ – June 14, 2018
Apple nabs creative development executive Layne Eskridge from Netflix – June 12, 2018
Apple hires Broadway Video’s Kelly Costello as business affairs executive – June 12, 2018
‘Master’s of Sex’ star Lizzy Caplan joins cast of upcoming Apple series ‘Are You Sleeping’ – June 7, 2018
Apple TV: The underestimated story – June 5, 2018
‘Once Upon a Time’ co-creators sign on as showrunners for Steven Spielberg ‘Amazing Stories’ reboot for Apple – May 22, 2018
Apple inks deal for Isaac Asimov ‘Foundation’ TV series – April 10, 2018
Apple aiming original TV series launches for spring or summer 2019 – March 26, 2018
Is this Apple’s plan for Apple TV? – March 22, 2018
Apple orders animated comedy ‘Central Park’ from ‘Bob’s Burgers’ creator Loren Bouchard – March 12, 2018
Apple hires Carol Trussell as Head Of Production for Worldwide Video Programming division – February 22, 2018
Apple loses bidding war over J.J. Abrams sci-fi drama ‘Demimonde’ to HBO – February 2, 2018
Apple and HBO in bidding war for J.J. Abrams sci-fi drama series – January 17, 2018
Apple’s TV tactics: Can Cupertino figure out the television formula? – January 16, 2018
Apple orders ‘See’ series, a futuristic drama from ‘Hunger Games’ director – January 10, 2018
Life after iTunes: Apple’s big media challenge – January 9, 2018
Apple developing new original drama ‘Are You Sleeping’ starring Octavia Spencer – January 3, 2018
Three more Amazon Studios executives move to Apple – December 26, 2017
Apple orders space drama series from ‘Battlestar Galactica’ producer Ronald D. Moore – December 15, 2017
Apple gives Jennifer Aniston-Reese Witherspoon series a 2-season order, confirms Spielberg’s ‘Amazing Stories’ reboot – November 9, 2017
Apple outbids Netflix for show starring Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon – November 8, 2017
Apple eyes iconic studio as base for Hollywood production push; vying with Netflix for high-profile Jennifer Aniston drama – September 1, 2017
The magic and misdirection of Apple’s streaming strategy – August 18, 2017
Apple wants to spend $1 billion on 10 original TV shows over the next year – August 16, 2017
Former WGN America president Matt Cherniss joins Apple in latest TV push – August 15, 2017
Rivals leaving Apple behind as Apple TV remains stuck in a test pattern – August 8, 2017
Apple’s so-called TV ‘strategy’ continues to be an embarrassing joke – June 30, 2017
Apple poaches Sony TV executives to lead major push into original content – June 16, 2017
Certainly give Oprah all the credit in the world for recognizing Trump as presidential material ahead of us all …
Netflix is Microsoft. Bloated with programming I can’t even find anything good.
I just vomited. Apple doesn’t need Orca and her army of idle, aging housewives.
@Hint: hate women much?
Back to firestick for me after I finally configured all my Apple TV. Or can I hide the oprah icon or can I take it away like Facebook?
Seriously??? Apple buys Oprah a drink? I am just a stupid German guy. I never understood what Americans love about Oprah. Can somebody explain? Also I don‘t like if Apple just buys instead of develops.
Better Apple develops next season with Al Bundy, by the way.
I’m not at all surprised by this. I have no idea what Oprah brings to the table but I sure know what she wants. She wants to bring her network to Apple TV.
Apple promotes only Leftists.
You beat me to it. They could greatly expand and enhance their business base, particularly with non-Apple user types that only use Microsoft and others.
My younger brother is a staunch conservative and he makes me look like a liberal at times, yeah, hard to believe. While he admires their products and business success he vowed NEVER to purchase an Apple product again after Pipeline took over. Steve would not allow his personal politics to cross with business.
So, yes Oprah is a franchise that will bring in bucks. But seriously, we all know her act and just more virtue signaling of the same old, same old and I’m sure she will turn off some customers.
Now, if Apple wanted to STRIKE BALANCE and “think different,” hire a popular conservative like Bill O’Reilly or some other person without the baggage like Lou Dobbs. Why not? …
Gutsy, Apple. You took me by surprise.
Deal of the Century.
When I think of Oprah, I think back to the married with children episode with Peg flaunting the big Oprah mask……
If there is a leftist who makes content and they can’t get signed up for a deal with Apple, they must be completely incompetent. Maybe next Apple can pay Al Gore billions for lectures on how the planet will be dead by 2010 if we keep using electric devices, like computers and iPads.
The irresponsible predictions of the left wing loons never ceases to amaze me. Does the media hold them accountable for every word like they PILE ON President Trump DAILY? We all know the pathetic answer …