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Apple and Oprah are teaming up to make videos

Apple and Oprah are teaming up to make videos

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It’s the company’s latest grab at new viewers

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Elizabeth Stanton / Entertainment Tonight

Apple has officially signed Oprah Winfrey to a multiyear deal for new original programs, according to a statement released today. The tech company didn’t specify the role Winfrey would play in these shows, but a representative said that “together, Winfrey and Apple will create original programs that embrace her incomparable ability to connect with audiences around the world. Winfrey’s projects will be released as part of a lineup of original content from Apple.”

The announcement comes in the midst of the video streaming war between Apple, Amazon and Netflix, as the companies ramp up their original programming and win the hearts — and views — of customers. Netflix previously announced a multiyear production deal with the Obama family, and reportedly paid close to $100 million to secure a deal with Grey’s Anatomy and Scandal creator Shonda Rhimes. Apple, meanwhile, made deals with A-listers like Reese Witherspoon and Steven Spielberg over the past year.

Apple’s decision to bring Winfrey on board will likely rope in a fleet of new customers, given the star’s army of loyal followers. But fans of the Oprah Winfrey Network don’t need to worry about the deal — according to Apple, it won’t affect Winfrey’s contract with OWN, which she recently extended through 2025.