The multiyear content agreement between Oprah Winfrey and Apple TV+, which was announced in 2018, is coming to an end, according to sources, The Hollywood Reporter has learned. According to sources, Winfrey and Apple TV+ will still collaborate, but only on specific projects.
The announcement comes a few days after the premiere of the Winfrey and Apple TV+-produced documentary Sidney, which examines the life of Sidney Poitier. The documentary, which had its streaming debut on Friday, was directed by Reginald Hudlin. The two will also keep working together on Oprah's Book Club, which can be found on Apple Books and OprahDaily.com.
Winfrey's most recent high-profile episodes, which featured her exclusive interviews with Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, and Adele, were both broadcast on CBS. The agreement covered movies, TV shows, apps, books, and any content that could be easily delivered on Apple's all-encompassing platform, sources told THR when the deal was signed in 2018. Additionally, because the agreement was non-exclusive, Winfrey could keep running the cable network OWN, which is supported by Discovery Communications.
According to reports, Winfrey joined Apple in the midst of intense competition from rival tech behemoths, most likely including Netflix and Amazon. According to sources cited by THR, Apple actively pursued Winfrey as part of a bigger effort to appeal to a wide audience. At the time, Apple wanted to send a message to Hollywood that they were serious about their content initiatives and sought high-profile talent to collaborate with.
Since then, Apple has more than established its intentions with the industry after taking home two straight best comedy series Emmys (for Ted Lasso). Regarding Winfrey's contract with Apple, it has also resulted in the mental health-focused documentary series The Me You Can't See, a collaboration with Prince Harry, and The Oprah Conversation, a series of interviews with prominent figures in the news.
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