THE FIRST FAMILY OF FLICKS
Netflix just got presidential. Former President Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle Obama, have teamed up with the streaming service for a multiyear agreement that will see the former First Couple produce content for Netflix.
The streaming service announced Monday that the Obamas’ contributions will include the potential for scripted series, unscripted series, documentaries, docu-series and features, all set to be produced under Higher Ground Productions.
The former President said he and Michelle “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.”
Netflix’s growing roster of bold-faced names also includes Jerry Seinfeld, Chris Rock, Dave Chappelle and David Letterman, who welcomed President Obama as his first guest on “My Next Guest Needs no Introduction,” when it debuted in January.
Seinfeld’s deal, which included 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 his talk show. Financial details of the Obamas’ agreement with Netflix have not been disclosed, but that income will add to the $65 million deal they inked with Penguin Random House last year, which requires them each to publish a book.