The news was announced Monday on Netflix's US Twitter account. The Obama couple signed a production deal with the online video platform for several years.
Netflix US once again enriches its panel of renowned producers. After signing Ryan Murphy (Glee, The People vs O.J. Simpson) and Shonda Rhimes (Grey's Anatomy) – deals at $ 300 million and $ 100 million respectively – Netflix offers the Obama couple. Rumors of this contract had been circulating for a few months. Netflix made the deal official on Monday, May 21. If the amount of the agreement has not been specified, the streaming giant announces the future arrival of scripted or unscripted series, docu-series, documentaries and reports. Michelle and Barack Obama will launch these new productions through their company Higher Ground Production.
A comm' shot?
Many American newspapers question the interests raised by such collaboration. Some believe that this agreement is a way for the Obama couple to return to the public scene and occupy the media space. The most conservative Netflix subscribers are threatening to unsubscribe from the platform. They fear a politicization of the content offered by the American giant. Barack Obama says he has no political ulterior motive. The former president "always had faith in the power of storytelling to help us open up to others. […] We [Michelle and Barack] hope to cultivate and help assert talented voices of creativity and inspiration that promote more empathy and understanding between people." On the Netflix side, the management may not be without ulterior motives. Netflix CEO Reed Hastings publicly supported Hillary Clinton during her election campaign. Ted Sarandos, the director of Netflix content is pleased to have been able to recruit personalities so respected and considered.
We're waiting to see what kind of content Michelle and Barack Obama will promote on Netflix.
