“Together, Winfrey and Apple will create original programs that embrace her incomparable ability to connect with audiences around the world,” Apple says in a statement.
Under the deal, Oprah will remain chief executive of cable channel Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN), which she launched in 2011 in partnership with Discovery Inc. Winfrey in December extended her contract with OWN through 2025, OWN and Apple said. Under her contract with OWN, Oprah can appear on camera on other platforms on a limited basis.
The partnership is the biggest original content deal struck by Apple so far as it aims to compete with Netflix Inc, Amazon.com Inc and Time Warner Inc’s and HBO. Apple had previously signed deals with Reese Witherspoon and Steven Spielberg.
