*By Britt Terrell*
Streaming platforms are in a war for top talent, and Apple just won the latest battle with a multi-year original content deal with Oprah Winfrey. It remains to be seen, though, whether the company can compete with streaming heavyweights like Netflix.
"The Oprah deal is said to be part of a $1 billion original programming push, but that's about the same amount that Netflix is increasing its original programming spending per year at the moment," said Mike Brown, innovation reporter at Inverse. Apple does have some advantages. It has over a billion devices in the market, but Netflix is already outspending."
Netflix recently inked a $300 million deal with producer Ryan Murphy, the man behind hits like *Glee*, *The People vs. O.J. Simpson*, *American Horror Story*, to create original content. It also signed the Obamas for an undisclosed amount.
"Getting these big names board shows that Apple and Netflix are serious about taking on the established players in this field," said Brown. "If they can get those big names on-board that is absolutely a huge benefit for them."
For the full interview, [click here](https://cheddar.com/videos/oprahs-big-bite-out-of-apple).
Tyson Foods is eliminating about 10 percent of corporate jobs and 15 percent senior leadership positions, according to a memo obtained by Reuters. The cuts are just the latest attempt to trim costs amid falling profits.
Verizon is taking steps to speed up its 5G network in rural areas. The company said it plans to extend its C-band 5G network across a larger suburban and rural footprint, meaning faster speeds for customers in those areas.
Facebook parent company Meta's first-quarter results surpassed Wall Street's modest expectations on both profit and revenue, sending its stock soaring in after-hours trading.
Another automaker is trying to cut its workforce to trim expenses and stay competitive as the industry makes the long and costly transition to electric vehicles.
The U.S. economy slowed sharply from January through March, decelerating to just a 1.1% annual pace as higher interest rates hammered the housing market and businesses reduced their inventories.
Applications for unemployment benefits in the U.S. fell last week as the labor market continues to show strength despite some weakness in other parts of the economy.
Disgraced Theranos CEO Elizabeth Holmes has avoided starting her more than 11-year prison sentence on Thursday by deploying the same legal maneuver that enabled her co-conspirator in a blood-testing hoax to remain free for an additional month.
