Barack and Michelle Obama sign film, series production agreement with Netflix
Former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama have signed a multi-year agreement to produce films and series for Netflix, the streaming service announced Monday in a tweet.
President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama have entered into a multi-year agreement to produce films and series for Netflix, potentially including scripted series, unscripted series, docu-series, documentaries, and features.
— Netflix US (@netflix) May 21, 2018
The deal potentially includes scripted series, unscripted series, docu-series, documentaries and features. Netflix said in a statement that the content will be available to its 125 million members in 190 countries.
The Obamas have started Higher Ground Productions to produce their content for Netflix. In a statement shared by Netflix, Obama said he and Michelle Obama "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."
In her statement, Michelle Obama said, "Netflix's unparalleled service is a natural fit for the kinds of stories we want to share, and we look forward to starting this exciting new partnership."
According to the New York Times, which first reported that the former president was in negotiations with Netflix, Obama does not plan to use the shows to respond directly to President Trump or to any of his political critics. Obama senior adviser Eric Schultz told CBS News in March that the Obamas "have lifted up stories of people whose efforts to make a difference are quietly changing the world for the better," and as they considered their future plans, they would "explore new ways help others tell and share their stories."
The Times also said of the negotiations in March that the deal could result in "a series of high-profile shows that will provide him a global platform after his departure from the White House."