Former President Obama is in advanced talks to produce and appear in TV shows for Netflix

The New York Times

The New York Times reports that the proposed deal, which is not yet finalized, would have Barack and Michelle Obama creating exclusive content for the streaming service that would be available to Netflix's 118 million subscribers. "Mr. Obama does not intend to use his Netflix shows to directly respond to President Trump or conservative critics, according to people familiar with discussions about the programming," reports The Times. "They said the Obamas had talked about producing shows that highlight inspirational stories. But the Netflix deal, while not a direct answer to Fox News or Breitbart.com, would give Mr. Obama an unfiltered method of communication with the public similar to the audiences he already reaches through social media, with 101 million Twitter followers and 55 million people who have liked his Facebook page." Potential shows include the former president moderating discussions, the former first lady championing topics like nutrition and the ability to lend their name and brand to projects such as documentaries. The Times reports that Apple and Amazon also expressed interest in signing the Obamas, but the former president is particularly close to Netflix chief content officer Ted Sarandos, whose wife served as his ambassador to the Bahamas. It was on Netflix that Obama submitted to his first televised interview since leaving office, on My Next Guest Needs No Introduction with David Letterman.