Apple is expanding its relationship with media tycoon Oprah Winfrey. The company today announced its plans for a new series, "The Oprah Conversation", which will present timely discussions between Oprah and "journalists, albeit leaders and masters of their trade" on a range of topics. The first few episodes will focus on conversations during the race, given recent events such as BLM protests.
The series, which was filmed remotely during the pandemic, will begin on July 30 at 4:00 p.m. PST with an episode titled "How to Be an Antiracist", which will see Oprah and bestseller Professor Ibram X. Kendi speak to readers of books that are on a journey to learn how to become anti-racist. This episode will then be followed by a two-part interview with athlete, commentator, activist and creator and host of "Uncomfortable conversations with a black man", Emmanuel Acho on August 1st.
Oprah will also converse with the founder of the Equal Justice Initiative and bestselling author Bryan Stevenson later in the series.
The format of the show will include Oprah speaking with guests, but will also include audience involvement, such as questions from viewers.
This is the third series Oprah is making for Apple after launching "Oprah Talks COVID-19" in late March, and "Oprah's Book Club" last year as part of its multi-year deal with the company. Another show, produced in collaboration with Prince Harry and focused on mental health, is yet to come. Oprah also participated in Apple's documentary series, "Visible: Out on Television".
Unfortunately for Apple, Oprah's multi-year deal overlaps with a pandemic that interrupted television production that led to the launch of these "remotely filmed" style series.
Oprah's COVID series, for example, was quickly put together in response to the health crisis and used lower production values, making it the first of its kind on Apple TV +. Prior to its arrival, Apple TV + content had been produced and offered in 4K. But those early experiments in remote television production made further shows like this new series possible.
While much of Apple TV + content requires a subscription, "The Oprah Conversation" will debut exclusively on the service for free on Thursday July 30, Apple says. After the first free episode, the rest of the series will require an Apple TV + subscription of $ 4.99 per month for viewing. The Apple TV + service is available on all devices, including Apple devices, as well as on selected smart TVs, Amazon Fire TV and Roku.