Apple TV+ in Talks to Add Ex-HBO Boss Richard Plepler to Producer Lineup--2nd Update
November 12 2019 - 4:38PM
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, aimed at wooing viewers when many are
tuning out of traditional broadcast and cable television.
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.
Apple TV+ chiefs Zack Van Amburg and Jamie Erlicht had been
wooing Mr. Plepler for the past few weeks as the company looks to
bring in more talent to make shows there, the person involved in
the talks said. Producers Steven Spielberg and J.J. Abrams and
former talk show queen Oprah Winfrey are already involved in making
shows for Apple.
Apple's streaming service made its debut with nine new programs
on Nov. 1 at a monthly price tag of $4.99 -- or free for a year
with a purchase of a new iPhone, iPad or Mac. It will be launching
more shows over the next several months as it enters an already
crowded field. Disney's much-anticipated Disney+ streaming service
launched Tuesday. Next year, WarnerMedia will unveil HBO Max and
Comcast Corp.'s NBCUniversal will enter the field with Peacock.
All are competing with Netflix Inc., the dominant player in the
market as well as with Amazon's Prime Video, Disney's Hulu and
several other services.
Apple is looking to entertainment as a way to refashion itself
as a services company as demand for its original products have
slowed. The iPhone saw a 14% decline in sales for the fiscal year
ended in September. Apple's total revenue was down 2% to $260.17
billion.
Apple is also making a push into original movies and recently f
ormed a partnership with movie studio A24 for original films. Apple
is formulating a theatrical distribution strategy as well.
Tripp Mickle contributed to this article.
Write to Joe Flint at joe.flint@wsj.com
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
November 12, 2019 16:23 ET (21:23 GMT)
Copyright (c) 2019 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.
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