Barack Obama Signs New Deal: This Time It Is With Programming Giant – Netflix

Former U.S. President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle Obama have entered into a multiyear agreement with Netflix to produce series and features.

The company announced Monday, May 21 that the former first couple have signed a multiyear agreement to produce films and series for Netflix. The deal can include scripted and unscripted series, as well as documentaries and features.

"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 former president said in a statement. "That's why Michelle and I are so excited to partner with Netflix — we 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 chief content officer Ted Sarandos said in a statement the Obamas "are uniquely positioned to discover and highlight stories of people who make a difference in their communities and strive to change the world for the better."

The Obamas have established Higher Ground Productions to create content for Netflix. Signing the Obamas is the latest, and by far the biggest, in a string of moves by Netflix to lock up the entertainment industry’s highest-profile producers in exclusive production and development pacts.

Michelle Obama weighed in on her decision to be part of the deal, “Barack and I have always believed in the power of storytelling to inspire us, to make us think differently about the world around us, and to help us open our minds and hearts to others…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."

It is unknown how much the Obamas’ Netflix agreement is worth. The Variety reports that in March, Penguin Random House signed the couple to a joint book deal that pays them a reported $65 million for their respective memoirs.

Among President Obama’s most visible public appearances since leaving office was on David Letterman’s new Netflix series, “My Next Guest Needs No Introduction.” Obama was the first guest in the former “Late Show” host’s new long-form interview program.

Netflix’s global membership has reached record levels with different sources estimating it from 118 – 125 million.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 22, 2018 07:52 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).