HBO Ex-CEO in Advanced Talks to Sign Exclusive Production Deal With Apple TV+, Source Says-Update
November 12 2019 - 4:05PM
Dow Jones News
By Joe Flint
Former HBO Chairman and Chief Executive Richard Plepler is in
advanced talks to sign an exclusive production deal with Apple
Inc.'s new TV+ streaming service, according to a person familiar
with the matter.
Under the terms of the agreement being discussed, Mr. Plepler's
new company, RLP & Co., would create original content for Apple
TV+. A deal could be finalized within the next few weeks, the
person with knowledge of the talks said. It is still possible a
deal may not materialize.
If Apple lands Mr. Plepler it would be getting one of the most
well-regarded entertainment executives of the last decade. Under
his watch as chief executive of HBO, the pay channel prospered,
developing such hits as "Game of Thrones" and "Veep."
Apple's pursuit of Mr. Plepler is indicative of the battle for
creative talent among Hollywood giants and the Silicon Valley
disrupters such as Netflix Inc. and Amazon.com Inc. All have been
spending heavily to woo producers and creators in anticipation of
the so-called streaming wars.
Mr. Plepler left HBO last February after new owner AT&T Inc.
took control of the company. He had been with HBO for nearly three
decades, the last six years as its chief executive. Mr. Plepler
left HBO when it was clear that under AT&T he would have less
autonomy than he had enjoyed under prior-owner Time Warner Inc.
Mr. Plepler declined to comment on the Apple talks on the Apple
talks.
Tripp Mickle contributed to this article.
Write to Joe Flint at joe.flint@wsj.com
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
November 12, 2019 15:50 ET (20:50 GMT)
Copyright (c) 2019 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.
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