NEW YORK (CelebrityAccess) — Former President Barack Obama announced on Monday that he and the former first lady, Michelle Obama, have signed a multi-year production deal with Netflix that will see them produce content for the streaming service.
According to Netflix, the Obamas have launched a production company. “Higher Ground Productions” to serve as a vehicle for their Netflix content. Through the company, the Obamas said they will produce a range of content, potentially including scripted series, unscripted series, docu-series, documentaries and features. These projects will be available to the 125 million-member Netflix households in 190 countries.
“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,” said President Obama. “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.”
“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,” said Mrs. Obama. “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.”
The former President has remained largely quiet since leaving office, despite calls from some of his supporters to take President Trump to task over some of their key policy differences. However, in recent weeks, Mr. Obama has made a number of pointed tweets aimed at tweaking President Trump’s pride.
However, according to the New York Times, the Obamas will resist the urge to use the bully pulpit provided by their content deal to “wage a public campaign against his successor in the Oval Office, or to fight against conservative media outlets like Fox News.”
Word of the deal between the former first family and Netflix was first reported in March by the New York Times. While the financial details of the production deal were not disclosed, the Times reported that similar arrangements with high profile figures have been worth tens of millions of dollars in the past.
