*** Obama next to be seen on Netflix! | THE DAILY TRIBUNE | KINGDOM OF BAHRAIN

Obama next to be seen on Netflix!

Former US President Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle Obama, have struck a deal to produce films and series for Netflix Inc., the streaming service said on Monday, giving the former first couple a powerful and unprecedented platform to shape their post-White House legacy. The agreement between the Obamas and Netflix, which boasts some 125 million subscribers worldwide, is a first for any occupant of the White House. The closest comparison is former US Vice President Al Gore, whose global warming documentary “An Inconvenient Truth” won an Oscar in 2007. Gore also launched a youth-oriented cable TV network, Current TV, in 2005 but it was sold to Middle-East based Al Jazeera in 2013, which later shut it down. Barack Obama in a statement recalled the “fascinating people” from all walks of life that he had met during his eight years in office, ending in January 2017. “We hope to cultivate and curate the talented, inspiring, creative voices who are able to promote greater empathy and understanding between peoples, and help them share their stories with the entire world,” he added. Netflix chief content officer Ted Sarandos said in a statement that the Obamas are “uniquely positioned to discover and highlight stories of people who make a difference in their communities and strive to change the world for the better.”