Washington, D.C. (Business Insider) — Former President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama have signed a multiyear deal with Netflix to produce original shows and movies, Netflix announced on Monday.
The deal could include “scripted series, unscripted series, docu-series, documentaries, and features,” the company said in a tweet.
The New York Times reported on Monday that the Obamas’ Netflix original content was unlikely to be a vehicle for partisan rhetoric, adding that Barack Obama “has told associates that he does not intend to use the new platform to wage a public campaign against his successor in the Oval Office, or to fight against conservative media outlets like Fox News.”
“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,” Barack Obama said in a statement on Monday. “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.”
Michelle Obama added: “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.”
While financial terms of the Obamas’ Netflix deal have not been disclosed, it follows a record-setting $65 million deal they signed with Penguin Random House in February 2017 to write one memoir each.
The Times first reported in March that Barack and Michelle Obama were in negotiations with Netflix.
Netflix’s chief content officer, Ted Sarandos, said of the deal on Monday: “Barack and Michelle Obama are among the world’s most respected and highly recognized public figures and 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. We are incredibly proud they have chosen to make Netflix the home for their formidable storytelling abilities.”
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