Apple is gearing up to compete with Netflix.
A new report from the New York Times outlines Apple’s plan to roll out original programming in the next year from its new Culver City, California, headquarters; the company has outspent YouTube and Facebook in terms of original content and even outbid Netflix in a few key races.
Over the last six months, Apple has secured deals for 12 new series, including nine that are going straight to order. Apple has already debuted a few original shows, like 2017’s Planet of the Apps, and a rework of Carpool Karaoke, but it hasn’t had a breakout hit. That might change with the addition of projects involving Reese Witherspoon, Steven Spielberg, M. Night Shyamalan, Jennifer Aniston, La La Land‘s Damien Chazelle, Kristen Wiig, and Octavia Spencer. It’s rebooting Spielberg’s Amazing Stories (without Bryan Fuller), planning a new animated series from the Bob’s Burgers creators and a space drama from Ronald D. Moore, and edging into documentaries.
Apple’s Senior VP Eddy Cue said at SXSW that they won’t be flooding subscribers with content like Netflix has been, but no details about how much Apple will charge or how it will distribute its series have been solidified.
Apple’s planning on debuting new original series between March and summer 2019.
H/T New York Times