Roger Fingas
The latest hire to Apple's Worldwide Video division is Dana Tuinier, jumping ship from the Paramount Network to become the iPhone maker's creative executive for comedy.
Tuinier will oversee projects like an upcoming sketch comedy show starring Kristen Wiig, TBI Vision said on Monday. She's expected to report to head of development Matt Cherniss.
At the Paramount Network — launched just 11 days ago — Tuinier was the VP of development and original programming. Before that she was a programming director at Fox, with credits such as "Bob's Burgers," "Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey," and "New Girl."
The Worldwide Video division has been growing at a rapid pace, including not just new executives but significant real estate investments. Apple is expected to debut a small slate of high-budget TV shows in 2019, available to anyone with a compatible device, instead of just Apple Music subscribers as with earlier, low-budget shows like "Carpool Karaoke." The company could distribute material through the "TV" app for iPhones, iPads, and the Apple TV.
Several other planned shows include a morning show-themed drama with Reese Witherspoon and Jennifer Aniston, a reboot of Steven Spielberg's "Amazing Stories," and a documentary series on unusual homes. Apple is also allegedly battling HBO for the rights to a sci-fi drama by "Lost" and "The Force Awakens" luminary J.J. Abrams.
The company presumably wants to fortify its position against other tech rivals, particularly Amazon, which likewise offers hardware and original TV shows. Sales of iTunes video are sitting in the shadow of subscription streaming services.
Malcolm Owen
Christine McKee
Amber Neely
6 Comments
I hope greenlighting Neil The Gas Tyson is not emblematic of her ability to assess talent...then again, she's heading up comedy programming, so he'd be a better fit there..
They really are taking this original content game serious, I look forward to watching the results.