Malcolm Owen
Apple's head of current programming and unscripted shows Kim Rozenfeld is leaving the position just weeks after the launch of Apple TV+, but the executive will still be working with the iPhone maker via a first-look deal with his own production company.
The head of current scripted programming and documentary/unscripted content for Apple TV+, Kim Rozenfeld is out in favor of working on his company Half Full Productions. Rozenfeld joined Apple in mid-2017, around the same time as three other development executives, and answered to Apple TV+ bosses Zack Van Amburg and Jamie Erlicht, who were his bosses at a previous role in Sony.
Rozenfeld won't be completely separating from Apple, as part of his departure involves setting up a first-look deal with Apple for Half Full Productions, Deadline reports. The first-look deal effectively provides Apple with the first opportunity to acquire content from the production company, ahead of other media firms.
While the circumstances of Rozenfeld's departure is unclear, the signing of a first-look deal suggests it was amicable between Rozenfeld and Apple.
The two sections Rozenfeld managed will be split into two separate roles, with head of scripted development Matt Cherniss overseeing current scripted programming. Molly Thompson, who joined as head of documentaries under Rozenfeld in April, will add to her remit by overseeing documentary film and series programming, both development and current.
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20 Comments
I haven't looked at the full array of shows, but TV+ doesn't appear to have any "unscripted" shows at present (and neither of the previous ones were much good), so perhaps that's where Apple felt they weren't getting their money's worth with him. Glad to see some excellent documentaries; Apple's always had a good eye for them (such as the music docs on Apple Music), and The Elephant Queen looks amazing, so I hope they do more in that area and less in the way of efforts like Planet of the Apps.
This isn’t corporate anymore. It’s Hollywood. A producer always looking for the next deal. Apple has entered a new game. Plus every Apple fan, as most civilians, has two jobs. One that pays their rent, the second being a film critic.
Still say it would relatively trivial for Apple to acquire Sony Pictures.