Apple TV has secured the worldwide streaming rights to Small Prophets, a British comedy that became a breakout success after its UK debut. In a move that departs from the company’s usual strategy, Apple purchased the series several months after it premiered rather than commissioning it in advance.
The series arrives on Apple TV in most markets, including the United States, on October 7. Viewers in the UK will have to wait until next year, as the show currently streams exclusively on BBC iPlayer in Britain.
Why Apple Pursued Small Prophets
Small Prophets was the biggest new scripted launch for the BBC this year, drawing record ratings across the UK. By acquiring global distribution, Apple is betting the show can find the same enthusiastic audience in international markets that it earned at home.
The comedy follows Michael Sleep, a man whose girlfriend Clea disappeared seven years earlier. He uncovers an old alchemy recipe for creating homunculi, small beings that appear capable of predicting the future and helping him uncover what happened to Clea. Its light, warm sensibility places it alongside other Apple comedies such as the currently airing Ted Lasso.
A New Approach to Content Deals
This marks the first time Apple has bought out an English-language title in this way. The company has completed similar acquisitions for international programming in the past, including the French-Japanese drama Drops of God. The deal reflects Apple’s flexibility as it continues to expand its streaming catalog.
Apple TV now offers more than 300 original TV shows and movies, and Small Prophets will join that lineup when it begins streaming globally on October 7.
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Image: 9to5mac.com
