*By Britt Terrell and Max Godnick* Netflix's international distribution can help Barack and Michelle Obama reach a wide audience for whatever programming they decide to create, according to TV critics and media analysts. "They are a power couple and this is a power move," Natasha Alford, the deputy editor for TheGrio, said in an interview with Cheddar. Netflix and the Obamas announced a multi-year deal Monday for the former first couple to produce scripted and unscripted shows, series, features and documentaries for the streaming service by way of the Obamas' Higher Ground Productions. Neither Netflix nor the Obamas have shared the specifics of exactly what kinds of content they will make under their new production company, Higher Ground Productions. [The New York Times] (https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/21/us/politics/barack-obama-netflix-show.html) reported that the former president does not plan to make content that directly attacks President Donald Trump or conservative media outlets like Fox News. "Whatever format they want to tell these stories whether it's focused on education or gun control or the health of our young people ー these are issues that are important to them," said Kristen Baldwin, the TV critic for Entertainment Weekly, who said the Netflix deal could help the Obamas amplify the work of their foundation. Alford of the TheGrio agrees: "I think we're going to see material that's more along the lines of what is on the Obama Foundation [YouTube channel] (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiaba-DmYJacphj7r7Knrwg)," she said on Cheddar. The deal gives the Obamas direct access to Netflix's 125 million worldwide subscribers. "The Obama's want a global audience, Netflix has it," Baldwin said Tuesday in an interview with Cheddar. "And they are also giving them the freedom to create any type of program that they find interesting." With that freedom, however, comes the responsibility to provide content that would otherwise not be available if commercial and corporate interests had the final say, said Alexander Heffner, the host of "The Open Mind" on PBS. He said the Obamas should also use Netflix's reach to serve people who that might not have access to high-speed internet and reach communities that would benefit from high-quality programming. "It should be integrated in classrooms," Heffner said on Cheddar. "As long as the Obamas' contract says that they can do that and not charge whatever public school district from Tucson to Des Moines." Alford said the move makes sense given Barack Obama's early adoption of technology and social media during his presidential campaign in 2008. "He was one of the first to really understand grassroots digital activism and getting people behind him," she said. "Of course he would be getting ahead of the curve and thinking about Netflix." For the full interview, [click here](https://cheddar.com/videos/obamas-sign-multi-year-netflix-deal).

Share:
More In Technology
After Bitcoin Plunges Over the Weekend, Investors Prepare for Unpredictable Week for the Markets
Between uncertainty over the Omicron variant, and the possibility of a sooner-than-expected taper from the Fed, it was an especially volatile week for the markets. The release of the November jobs report on Friday, with job growth coming in way lower than estimates also caused movement on the market. Frances Stacy, Director of Strategy at Optimal Capital explains why all of this, combined with Bitcoin’s huge drop over the weekend, could make for another rough week for investors.
Instagram Rolls Out New Teen Safety Updates
Ahead of Instagram head Adam Mosseri's congressional hearing on the mental impact of the social platform on teens, the company announced a number of updates aimed at teen safety.
Why Commercial Planes Are Shrinking
Earlier this year, JetBlue flew its inaugural flight into the United Kingdom. It was a game changer — not only did the airline enter the transatlantic market, but the plane that completed the flight was a single-aisle jet. For decades, flying the distance was synonymous with jumbo jets, but today narrow-body aircraft are now proving they are up for the task — and maybe even the best option. In this episode, Cheddar examines why airlines are betting on narrow-body aircraft.
Spotify "Unwrapped' Shows How Our Data Is Collected
Spotify has just officially released its 2021 'Wrapped'. For the past few years, the streaming giant has been presenting customers with their listening habits from the prior year, including favorite artists, most listened to the genre, podcasts, songs you name it. However, critics say this method just shows how apps can collect our data. CEO of Prevailion Karim Hijazi, joined Cheddar to discuss more.
New Internal Documents Reveal TikTok's Addictive Algorithm
Recent internal documents obtained by the New York Times reveal how exactly TikTok's algorithm works. The report highlights how the app is mainly focused on retaining two metrics which are retention and time spent. In addition, the document titled, "TikTok Algo 101" details how the algorithm understands human nature from when we get bored to our sensitivity and culture ques. It means the app monitors will kind of videos you like. Professor of Computer Science at the University of California in San Diego Julian McCauley, joined Cheddar to discuss more.
Load More