The Obamas team up with Netflix to pump out content

President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama have entered into a multi-year agreement to produce films and series for Netflix, potentially including scripted series, unscripted series, docu-series, documentaries, and features.

— Netflix US (@netflix) May 21, 2018

The deal will give the Obamas a platform to reach the 125 million households with Netflix in 190 million countries worldwide.

“One of the simple joys of our time in public service was getting to meet so many fascinating people from all walks of life, and to help them share their experiences with a wider audience,” said Barack Obama. “We hope to cultivate and curate the talented, inspiring, creative voices who are able to promote greater empathy and understanding between peoples, and help them share their stories with the entire world.”

The Obamas had been in talks with Netflix for some time, and the New York Times reported in March that one potential show idea would see the former president moderate debates on topics that dominated his presidency: healthcare, voting rights, immigration, foreign policy, and climate change.

Despite speaking out from the sidelines last year against Donald Trump’s travel ban, his withdrawal from the Paris climate accords, his attempts to dismantle Obamacare, and his rollback of DACA protection for illegal immigrants, Barack Obama will not use his new platform to rail against his successor, reported the Times.

According to the Times’ sources, to do so would make Obama a convenient political target for the Trump administration.

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