The Obamas ink multiyear deal with Netflix
Your next Netflix binge just got a whole lot more exciting.
Former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama have teamed up with the streaming service for a multi-year agreement that will see them produce both films and series for Netflix, the company announced Monday.
The presidential pair’s well of content includes the potential for scripted series, unscripted series, docu-series, documentaries and features, all set to be produced under Higher Ground Productions.
“One of the simple joys of our time in public service was getting to meet so many fascinating people from all walks of life, and to help them share their experiences with a wider audience,” the ex-commanderin-chief said in a statement. “(Michelle and I) hope to cultivate and curate the talented, inspiring, creative voices who are able to promote greater empathy and understanding between peoples, and help them share their stories with the entire world.”
Michelle Obama echoed her husband’s desire to use their platform as storytellers to the best of their ability, and praised Netflix as a “natural fit.”
The production deal comes in addition to the $65 million deal the couple made last year with Penguin Random House for each to publish one book. Michelle’s, called “Becoming,” is due in November.
The pair is a giant get for Netflix, which has in recent years established itself as a talent powerhouse and has bagged some of the biggest names in the business for unprecedented deals.
The company has largely built upon its comedy empire, inking contracts with everyone from Jerry Seinfeld and David Letterman to Chris Rock and Dave Chappelle.
Seinfeld’s deal, which brought along his series “Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee,” was reported to be worth $100 million, while Letterman was reportedly paid $12 million for a sixepisode first season of “My Next Guest Needs No Introduction.” Barack Obama was Letterman’s first guest on the series.