Is Apple ready for its big Hollywood debut?The tech giant has targeted $1 billion in spending for original television series and films over the next year, looking to establish itself as a buyer of premium entertainment, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing anonymous individuals.With its checkbook whipped out, Apple may be poised to acquire up to 10 TV high-caliber series, and company execs have begun scouting out prospects with agencies, according to the Journal.Already, Apple has signaled its aims to...
Apple TV+
Zack
Van
Amburg
Head, Worldwide Video
When Van Amburg and fellow Apple head of worldwide video Jamie Erlicht launched Apple TV+ in November 2019, the service boldly offered only original content. Underwhelming subscription numbers moved the company heads to begin licensing outside content in mid-2020, and then they received a degree of vindication in 2021 when the first season of “Ted Lasso” was nominated for 20 Emmys and won seven. The two have also been building momentum with Apple’s feature slate, buying the rights to Anthony and Joe Russo’s “Cherry” in a deal in the high $40 millions and Antoine Fuqua’s runaway slave drama “Emancipation,” with Will Smith, for a reported $120 million. They also joined forces with A24 on Joel Coen’s “The Tragedy of Macbeth” and with Paramount on Martin Scorsese’s “Killers of the Flower Moon.”