Barack and Michelle Obama are in talks with Netflix to produce and/or appear in shows for Netflix, according to separately-sourced reports from The New York Times and CNN. Obama and his wife hope to utilize the platform for shows which highlight constructive stories, and will not be used as a political platform or to attack politicians on the right.
“President and Mrs. Obama have always believed in the power of storytelling to inspire,” Eric Schultz, a senior adviser to the former president, said Thursday. “Throughout their lives, they have lifted up stories of people whose efforts to make a difference are quietly changing the world for the better. As they consider their future personal plans, they continue to explore new ways to help others tell and share their stories.”
The content and format of these shows remain a mystery, but rumour has it that they could involve anything from Barack moderating conversations on divisive political issues to documentary-style features on subjects important to the Obama administration, such as healthcare, nutrition and children’s health.
It would be a triumph for the streaming service, providing the kind of exclusive programming that sells subscriptions. And it would give the Obamas a platform to reach a huge audience around the world. Netflix says it has more than 117 million subscribers, 55 million of whom are in the United States.
Amazon and Apple are both reportedly also interested in bringing Barack and Michelle Obama to their respective platforms, although it hasn’t been confirmed whether or not the former President has met with either company.
Obama recently appeared on the streaming service in an episode of David Letterman’s talk show ‘My Next Guest Needs No Introduction’.
> Mar Martínez
The Obamas in Talks with Netflix
Will You Support Our Work?
People turns to WhatsOn to understand what's goingOn? We have been empowering through hope & understanding for the last forty years. We’re an independent social enterprise & our journalism is powered by our supporters. Financial contributions from our readers allows us to keep our journalism free for all & to change the world for better. Please support us, with your donation - no matter how small. Your donation makes a real difference, it empowers our activist & academy, and engages wider community groups, & universities - connecting more people. WhatsOn is a change maker, let’s get our future back together!
