Wesley Hilliard
While the details aren't clear, one thing is certain, a two-part documentary on Oprah's life will never air after she bought back the rights from Apple TV+ — halting its distribution.
The Apple TV+ documentary was announced in 2021, which would chronicle the 25 years of American history through the lens of Winfrey in two parts. Kevin MacDonald and Lisa Erspamer headed the project.
After years of silence on the documentary, Page Six has shared that Oprah has bought back the rights to the documentary from Apple TV+ after its completion. There are differing stories from the various sources in this story, but it is certain that the documentary will never air.
One source suggests that Oprah wanted some parts of the documentary changed, and MacDonald refused. Another said it had nothing to do with the content, instead, Oprah thought it "wasn't the right time to do a documentary."
Buying back the rights likely cost a pretty penny, but sources can't agree on how much that may have cost. One says Oprah could have paid Apple TV+ millions for the rights, while another says it isn't in the seven-figure range.
Apple and Oprah have worked together on a few ventures in recent years, from a book club to Apple TV+, but that relationship dissolved in 2022.
AppleInsider Staff
Malcolm Owen
Oliver Haslam
Andrew O'Hara
William Gallagher
Christine McKee
16 Comments
I look forward to downloading it from the dark web.
quote: “Buying back the rights likely cost a pretty penny, but sources can't agree on how much that may have cost. One says Oprah could have paid Apple TV+ millions for the rights, while another says it isn't in the seven-figure range.”
Maybe yes, maybe not. If I was Oprah… and we are talking about a documentary about my life… before anything I would have include a clause that put myself in ‘final control’ of the project at a ‘set price.’
From my point of view… this is not a ‘post-production set price.’
Oprah is… enough of a big company in herself… to ask for that conditions.
On the other hand… although it is difficult… maybe she made the changes and distribute it by other means.
All this reduces to… the original contract between Oprah-Apple-Director.
But sites love to show Apple's failures… they bring page views… aka ad revenues.
If the documentary wasn't as phony as Oprah's massively retouched photo, I doubt she would OK the project.
Also, any credible documentary would showcase her shameless hypocrisy.
Nobody cares about Oppa Windfree…