Former HBO CEO Richard Plepler in Talks With Apple About Apple TV+ Production Deal

Tuesday November 12, 2019 12:27 pm PST by Juli Clover
Former HBO CEO and chairman Richard Plepler is in talks with Apple about an exclusive Apple TV+ production deal, reports Deadline.

Plepler is planning to launch a production company and is currently negotiating a deal that would land him with Apple, producing content for Apple's streaming television service.

Image credit: REX/Shutterstock
Plepler, known for his showmanship, creative instincts and willingness to take risks, had been a key driving force behind HBO's success over the past couple of decades. He was elevated to HBO CEO in 2012. Before that he was co-president.
Plepler left HBO in February after spending 30 years at the company and has reportedly spent the last several months exploring different opportunities. According to Deadline, Plepler was not interested in returning to TV as an executive, but was instead looking for opportunities as a producer.

The talks are being conducted by Jamie Erlicht and Zack Van Amburg, two former Sony executives who have been spearheading Apple's television efforts.

Apple has already signed production deals with multiple companies, including A24, Imagine Documentaries, and Oprah Winfrey, plus it has established deals with producers and directors like Jason Katims, Alfonso Cuaron, and Justin Lin.

Tags: Apple TV Shows, Apple TV Plus Guide
[ 19 comments ]

Top Rated Comments

(View all)

Avatar
CarlJ
4 weeks ago


People who keep slamming Apple TV+ for its so called "mediocre content" have to realize that Apple TV+ is only in it's infancy and has the potential, (in name alone really) to attract talent like this and in the future has the possibility to be GREAT!

This. They've shown that they're willing to do stuff that's not G-rated (an early concern many had), they're looking for unusual new shows (vs. dozens of cookie cutter sitcoms, dramas, etc., so industry types that have a show they always wanted to do have another place to pitch such projects), and they have more spare cash than some small nations. If they make a long series of correct decisions, they can potentially draw in a lot of really top notch production talent, and make some great shows in the long run.
Rating: 5 Votes
Avatar
CarlJ
4 weeks ago

He’s no longer with HBO. Did he take good HBO talent with him?

30 years at HBO will have given him a huge collection of industry relationships. He doesn't have to take any HBO employees.
Rating: 5 Votes
Avatar
DotCom2
4 weeks ago
People who keep slamming Apple TV+ for its so called "mediocre content" have to realize that Apple TV+ is only in it's infancy and has the potential, (in name alone really) to attract talent like this and in the future has the possibility to be GREAT! It's just getting started and I think Apple is going to do just fine especially if they keep the price competitive.
Rating: 4 Votes
Avatar
iJon
4 weeks ago
This would a home run partnership. HBO has been the leader in quality television for a long time.
Rating: 4 Votes
Avatar
picaman
4 weeks ago
I worked at Time Warner back in the day. He’s the real deal. If true, this is huge for Apple. And AT&T should be kicking themselves for edging him out over short term revenue goals.
Rating: 3 Votes
Avatar
iMerik
4 weeks ago


He’s no longer with HBO. Did he take good HBO talent with him?

He shall cultivate new talent. ?
Rating: 3 Votes
Avatar
nburwell
4 weeks ago
This would be really big for Apple if they can strike a deal with Plepler and his new production company.
Rating: 3 Votes
Avatar
Kierkegaarden
4 weeks ago
That could be quite a nice partnership.
Rating: 2 Votes
Avatar
FriendlyMackle
4 weeks ago


I worked at Time Warner back in the day. He’s the real deal. If true, this is huge for Apple. And AT&T should be kicking themselves for edging him out over short term revenue goals.

Exactly! As soon as AT&T took over HBO it was clear that they planned to come in with their usual short-sighted low-brow and lowlife attitudes. They immediately sidelined and eliminated the entire old chain of command which had previously led to Pepler at the top. He did the very smart thing and left! LOL. I am so happy, just watch as AT&T DESTROYS HBO..."Max."
Unfortunately for AT&T, they don't learn from their mistakes and they won't think they've made a mistake until they have completed their destruction of HBO. The arrogance is astounding, but it is what comes from being one of the original Bell companies. Now larger than it was before it was broken up previously?
Rating: 2 Votes
Avatar
Ar40
4 weeks ago


He was the CEO of HBO. Believing he knows anything about producing quality content is as silly as believing Timmy "what's a computer" Cook knows anything about building a quality computer. But hey, giving him $2 billion to recreate season 8 of Game of Thrones would be par for Timmy's course.

I suggest you read what the knowledgable users and websites have said about this. Read the actual Deadline article. Do you really presume to have more knowledge about Mr. Pepler than Hollywood industry insiders? I am shocked at your arrogance.
Rating: 2 Votes

[ Read All Comments ]