The men, considered among the brightest of a rising generation of studio executives, are currently the leaders of Sony Pictures Television, the company
behind high-quality cable dramas like “Breaking Bad,” major Netflix series like “The Crown” and broadcast network comedies like “The Goldbergs.”
In a blow to Sony, Mr. Erlicht, 48, and Mr. Van Amburg, 46, will start at Apple by the end of summer.
By hiring Mr. Erlicht and Mr. Van Amburg, however, Apple has sent a clear message
to Hollywood: We are finally serious about building an original video business.
In a statement, Mr. Erlicht said that Apple wanted programming of “unparalleled quality.” Agents, writers, producers, stars —
and competitors like HBO — will interpret those words as meaning that Apple is ready to spend.
Apple, Moving In on Prestige TV, Poaches Two Sony Executives -
By BROOKS BARNESJUNE 16, 2017
LOS ANGELES — As Apple takes the plunge into original television-style content, it has
hired two of Hollywood’s most respected studio executives to oversee the effort.
On Friday, Apple named Jamie Erlicht and Zack Van Amburg to newly created positions overseeing worldwide video programming.