‘You get a doco! You get a doco!’ Oprah announces AppleTV+ venture
“They’re in a billion pockets, y’all. A billion pockets.”
And with those words, beloved American entertainment goddess Oprah Winfrey announced her plans for Apple’s new streaming platform, Apple TV Plus.
Oprah Winfrey takes to the stage in California to spruik her latest collaboration with Apple. Photo: Getty
One of television’s longest-running talk show hosts followed a parade of A-list stars, including Friends’ Jennifer Aniston and Aquaman Jason Momoa, to conclude the showcase at the tech behemoth’s Steve Jobs Theatre.
The Church of Oprah was officially reconvened in Silicon Valley, such was the scale of her announcement.
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The 65-year-old television legend stood in front of a heavenly blown-up portrait and Apple’s newest logo, the ‘+’ glowing as staff members and assembled media awaited her gospel.
However for those hoping for a revival of her talk show were left disappointed, with a reinvention of her talk show not on the cards (at least for now).
Instead, she touted two documentaries – one titled “Toxic Labor,” which will analyse sexual harassment in workplaces.
“I want to reach that sweet spot where insight and perspective, truth and tolerance, actually intersect,” she told the audience.
The second show will be a multi-part series observing mental health.
“We’re going to replace stigma with wisdom, compassion, and honesty,” she said.
“We have this unique opportunity to rise to our best selves in how we use and choose to use both our technology and our humanity.”
Oprah’s mic drop comes nine months after pen went to paper on a multi-year content production partnership.
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Winfrey also announced a revamp of the book club she championed during her heyday years, and says she intends to stimulate vibrant conversation alongside some of the most exciting authors on the planet.
“I want to literally convene a meeting of the minds, connecting us through books,” she said.
Winfrey, who hosted her eponymous talk show over 25 years, has remained busy since the show’s series finale in 2011, spearheading the Oprah Winfrey Network and O: The Oprah Magazine and played starring roles in movies Selma, The Butler and A Wrinkle in Time.
Oprah Winfrey on the blue carpet with her fellow A Wrinkle in Time cast members. Photo: Getty
Additional details over the collaborative partnership were scarce; the deal forms part of Apple’s reported $US1 billion foray securing original content for its platform.
Some analysts warned against overestimating Apple’s chances of wrestling Netflix’s stranglehold on the content streaming market, which currently boasts more than 140 million paid subscribers.
However, the two-hour showcase pointed to Apple’s preference for uplifting programming – even Big Bird made a cameo to introduce his children’s show that will teach preschoolers to code.
Saving the best for last, Big Bird is here! Apple will be creating a new preschool show #AppleEvent pic.twitter.com/Xtm4xjOcF6
— Ashleigh Stewart (@Ash_Stewart_) March 25, 2019