Apple TV+ signed an exclusive contract for five years with the former CEO of HBO, Richard Plepler, and the production company Eden Productions for the creation of original series, films, and documentaries.
Plepler will work with Zack Van Amburg and Jamie Erlicht, Heads of Video at Apple TV+. Plepler launched Eden Productions, a new production company with headquarters in New York to commercialize its projects. Starting now, the contents of Plepler with be exclusively for Apple TV+.
“I am thrilled to work with Zack, Jamie and the outstanding Apple team, who have supported my vision of Eden from the first day. The programs that Zack and Jamie produced, such as The Crown and Breaking Bad, are among the ones I admire the most. Apple is one of the most creative companies in the world and the perfect home for my new production company and its next episode,” said Plepler in a statement.
Plepler had been with HBO for almost 30 years, the last six as CEO. He left the company February last year after it was clear he would have less control under AT&T, its new owner, than under the previous owner, Time Warner.
Apple TV+, launched in November, has signed up celebrities like Alfonso Cuarón, Steven Spielberg, Oprah Winfrey, Kerry Ehrin, Justin Lin and Jason Katims, among others.