Barack and Michelle Obama Are Moving On from Netflix After Eight Years
Higher Ground to Transition to Independence Post Netflix Partnership
Higher Ground, the production company founded by former President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama, is poised to enter a new chapter as it plans to become independent following the end of its first-look deal with Netflix later this year.
During a recent appearance at a special edition of HistoryTalks in Philadelphia, marking America’s 250th anniversary, President Obama expressed enthusiasm for the shift. He stated, “We’re in a process now of transitioning to a more independent [future] where we can work with a bunch of different studios.”
While the Netflix deal remains active, sources indicate that Higher Ground intends to retain its autonomy and will not seek a studio pact once the contract expires. The company plans to continue collaborating on existing projects with Netflix.
Reps for both Higher Ground and Netflix have yet to comment on the developments.
Established in 2018, Higher Ground initially secured an exclusive overall deal with Netflix, evolving to a first-look agreement in 2024. In anticipation of its new independent status, Higher Ground has already begun exploring the “selling-to-everyone” model by setting up projects with various studios, including HBO, Apple, Amazon, FX, Disney, and others, while still producing for Netflix.
One of the exciting ventures includes the upcoming HBO half-hour sketch comedy series, Life, Larry and The Pursuit of Unhappiness, featuring Larry David and Jeff Schaffer, which is set to premiere this summer.
Reflecting on the past eight years with Netflix, President Obama highlighted notable films produced through the partnership, including the Oscar-winning documentary American Factory and the scripted film Rustin, which tells the story of civil rights activist Bayard Rustin. In total, Higher Ground’s collaborations with Netflix have generated 24 projects, encompassing film, television, documentaries, and family programming.
The slate also features Leave the World Behind, which ranks #8 on Netflix’s Most Popular English Films list, as well as other successful titles like Fatherhood and Worth. Collectively, these projects have earned three Oscar nominations, one win, twelve Emmy nominations, and six wins.
Looking ahead, Higher Ground continues to develop projects for Netflix, including high-profile limited series like All The Sinners Bleed, starring Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù and Nicole Beharie, and The Altruists, starring Julia Garner.
Obama emphasized the importance of storytelling in today’s media landscape, particularly as technology evolves rapidly. He stated, “It’s not just policy, but it’s a set of moral commitments, and it’s a set of values and ethical norms,” underscoring Higher Ground’s broader objectives.
In addition to its film and television efforts, Higher Ground also has an audio division, recently completing a podcast series on Reconstruction. Other upcoming podcasts include IMO with Michelle Obama & Craig Robinson, Talk Easy with Sam Fragoso, and The Second Opinion.
On the theatrical front, Higher Ground is co-producing the Broadway revival of Proof, which features Ayo Edebiri and Don Cheadle. The former president and first lady attended the opening performance in April and engaged with the cast and crew afterward.
Higher Ground is represented by CAA and Johnson Shapiro Slewett & Kole.
