Higher Ground Productions to Go Independent After Netflix Deal

Barack and Michelle Obama’s Higher Ground Productions is set to become independent once its current agreement with Netflix concludes later this year.

Instead of staying tied to the streaming platform, the company intends to pitch projects to various studios, as reported by Deadline.

Founded in 2018, Higher Ground originally produced film and television content specifically for Netflix. Since 2024, the company has been operating under first-look agreements with streaming services.

As this deal comes to an end, Higher Ground is already developing projects with HBO, Apple, and other studios.

During an interview with the History Channel, President Obama gave some hints about Higher Ground’s future. He indicated they started the company “to cover some stories that would help America look at itself and unearth the better angels in our nature.”

He noted, “We partnered with Netflix. We are in the process of transitioning to a more independent structure. This way, we can collaborate with different studios.”

Obama expressed gratitude for the eight years spent with Netflix, describing it as a valuable experience that helped in telling important stories.

He highlighted their first release, “American Factory,” a documentary about a Chinese company reopening a closed factory in Ohio, which even received an Academy Award for Best Documentary.

The former president also mentioned “Rustin,” a biopic about civil rights strategist Bayard Rustin, who played a crucial role in the 1963 March on Washington.

Higher Ground’s work with Netflix includes a wide range of projects, from the popular thriller “Leave the World Behind” to films like “Fatherhood” and “Worth,” as well as documentaries and series such as “Crip Camp” and “Our Great National Parks.”

The company has also ventured into family programming with shows like “Waffles + Mochi” and “Ada Twist, Scientist,” the latter of which has garnered several Oscar and Emmy nominations and awards.

As it prepares for independence, Higher Ground still has upcoming projects with Netflix, including the limited series “All the Sinners Bleed,” “The Altruists,” and another season of “The Later Daters.”

Moreover, Higher Ground has expanded beyond film and television into podcasts and even Broadway, recently co-producing a revival of “Proof” as part of its growth.

The Post has reached out to both Netflix and Higher Ground for further comments.