Apple acquires Ed Sheeran documentary Songwriter ahead of Tribeca debut

Apple has acquired global rights to a new documentary called Songwriter, which follows singer/songwriter Ed Sheeran through much of 2016 as he evolves his unique style.

The deal, which is rumored to be valued in the low- to mid-seven figures, covers world rights to the upcoming feature, reports Deadline. Larry Jackson, head of content for Apple Music and a former executive at Interscope, led negotiations for Apple.

Directed by Murray Cummings, Songwriter makes its North American premiere on Monday at the Tribeca Film Festival following a world premiere in Berlin this February. Cummings, Sheeran's cousin and sometimes collaborator, has spent years following the pop sensation around and documenting his rise to fame, from his opening performances for Taylor Swift to sold-out gigs at Wembley Stadium.

Unlike other music-related documentaries that Apple has acquired, such as those featuring Sam Smith, Danny Brown, and Niall Horan, Apple will be releasing Songwriter theatrically as well as on its own platforms, the report said.

Apple has yet to publicly confirm how it plans to distribute all of the TV and movies it has commissioned or acquired, though its Apple Music subscription service is expected to play a role in the buildout. Apple is putting quite a bit of money behind the endeavor, though the sum pales in comparison to budget outlays from segment competitors like Netflix and Amazon.

12 Comments

Rayz2016 6957 comments · 8 Years

About 6 years ago

I think “unique” is overstating things a bit…

bestkeptsecret 4285 comments · 13 Years

I've just heard the song "Shape of You" by him. Catchy tune but very pedestrian lyrics, IMO.

darkpaw 212 comments · 15 Years

I wish Apple would put quite a bit of money behind artists normal people actually like. We aren't all teenage girls.

Maybe Apple could add a feature to never include Ed Sheeran in any playlists ever. It's getting a bit tedious trying to listen to a curated playlist that changes every week, but it always has a song by him in it.

I don't like him, I cannot stand his music, and I have no way of telling my Music app to just skip over his stuff.

foggyhill 4767 comments · 10 Years

darkpaw said:

I wish Apple would put quite a bit of money behind artists normal people actually like. We aren't all teenage girls.

Maybe Apple could add a feature to never include Ed Sheeran in any playlists ever. It's getting a bit tedious trying to listen to a curated playlist that changes every week, but it always has a song by him in it.

I don't like him, I cannot stand his music, and I have no way of telling my Music app to just skip over his stuff.

Maybe you're not "normal people"... Maybe YOU are the outlier... Think about it. You do know what Normal means don't you.

Both Drake and Sheehan have sold way way way beyond niches, so your comment is plain weird.
You may not like Sheehan but he's certainly hitting the "norm".

ireland 17435 comments · 18 Years

While I do sort of whis Apple had acquired Netflix years ago there is some load of crap on Netflix, and in particular the modern movies Netflix has produced with their generic cinematography, uninspired score and trying too hard story lines.