Streaming: Apple snaps up rights behind “Severance”
Arguably the most stylistically influential series on Apple TV is now part of Apple itself. The rights to “Severance” go entirely to the iPhone manufacturer.
“Severance” is one of the best-known and most successful series on Apple TV.
(Image: Apple)
It may surprise many, but Apple's top series, “Severance,” does not belong solely to the iPhone company. Instead, the show was – as is often the case in the media sector – purchased from another studio. But that will change in the future: Apple's film division has now brought the show entirely “in house.” According to a report by the Hollywood trade publication Deadline, the intellectual property (IP) of the show, along with “all rights,” went to Apple Studios, as the iPhone company's own production is called. The seller was the studio Fifth Season, which in turn belongs to a South Korean (CJ ENM) and a Japanese (Toho International) studio – plus the artist management company Endeavor.
A lot of money was invested
Apple is said to have paid something less than 70 million US dollars for the rights to “Severance.” That's a lot of money, but Apple now spends hundreds of millions on cinema films alone. This approach is not new; Apple had already secured the science fiction show “Silo” from AMC Studios after the first season had been fully produced.
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Apple Studios had already been involved in other shows before, including “Sugar” or “Your Friends and Neighbors.” However, this often happens with the help of other studios. In some cases, the rights went to Apple, in others to the actual producers. This was also the case with the hit film “F1.”
Strategy like Netflix once
According to Deadline, Apple now produces at least half of its Apple TV content. The approach is reminiscent of Netflix, where shows from other studios were also purchased at first before the streaming giant brought more and more rights in-house. Apple's head of the video department came from Sony Pictures Television Studios himself.
The reason for the sale of “Severance” is also said to be that Fifth Season can no longer afford the expensive production despite its large owners. Apple should therefore pay in advance. It was also considered moving the show to Canada, as it would be cheaper. Apple is now planning further seasons for “Severance” – there should be at least four. Ben Stiller, producer and one of the fathers of the show, also remains involved; he has his production company involved.
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