Barack and Michelle Obama’s 'Higher Ground' goes independent post-Netflix partnership

Higher Ground is set to forge a new path in its development. The production company led by President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama will become independent once their current first-look deal with Netflix concludes later this year, according to sources.

President Obama mentioned the transition while on stage at History Channel’s special edition of HistoryTalks in Philadelphia Saturday commemorating America’s 250th year. 

During an interview with Jon Meacham, he shared that Higher Ground was created “with the goal of raising voices that assist America in understanding itself and uncovering those better aspects of our nature.”

“And we collaborated with Netflix,” Obama noted. “We’re now moving towards a future where we can partner with a variety of different studios independently.”

Sources indicate that while the Netflix deal is still in place, Higher Ground is preparing to stay independent and won't pursue another studio agreement post-expiration, continuing collaborations with the global streamer on current projects.

The Obama-founded company began in 2018 with an exclusive agreement at Netflix. Higher Ground shifted to a first-look arrangement with the streaming service in 2024.

Preparing for independence, Higher Ground has tested a universal sales approach since moving to a first-look deal and initiated projects with HBO, Apple, Amazon, FX, Disney, 20th Century Studios, Artists Equity, Laika, AMC, CBS Studios, and YouTube, alongside ongoing work with Netflix.

American Factory and the film Rustin, which gained an Oscar nod for star Colman Domingo, figure among 24 projects across movies, television, documentaries, unscripted, sports, and family content from Higher Ground’s collaboration with Netflix.

Upcoming on Netflix, Higher Ground has two major limited series: All The Sinners Bleed, featuring Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù and Nicole Beharie (in collaboration with Amblin), and The Altruists, with Julia Garner and Anthony Boyle, along with a second season of the documentary series The Later Daters.

“I believe in this advancing media environment, especially with the rise of AI and all these new devices meant to entertain, it’s crucial for us to share stories at the core of our democratic venture as more than just policies, but as commitments to moral and ethical standards,” Barack Obama expressed regarding the company’s mission.

“We’ve just completed a six or seven-part series on Reconstruction, featuring discussions between me, Malcolm Gladwell, and a range of experts about its significance to our current era and America as a whole,” Obama confirmed.

Additional podcasts in development include IMO with Michelle Obama & Craig Robinson, Talk Easy with Sam Fragoso, and The Second Opinion.

On stage, Higher Ground is co-producing the revival of Proof on Broadway with David Auburn, starring Ayo Edebiri and Don Cheadle, which opened on Thursday.

Barack and Michelle Obama attended the April 18 show, engaging with the cast, Auburn, director/producer Thomas Kail, and producer Mike Bosner afterwards.