Apple just made a decisive move in the streaming wars. The tech giant has acquired all rights to 'Severance,' one of Apple TV+'s most critically acclaimed series, and will produce all future seasons in-house. The deal marks a strategic shift for Apple's content strategy, giving the company complete creative and financial control over a franchise expected to run for four seasons with potential spin-offs and international versions. It's a bet that owning hits outright beats licensing them, and it could reshape how tech companies approach premium content.
Apple is taking full ownership of one of its biggest streaming hits. The company has acquired all rights to 'Severance,' the dystopian workplace thriller that became a breakout success for Apple TV+, and will produce future seasons entirely in-house. It's a significant strategic move that signals how seriously Apple is taking its entertainment ambitions.
The show, which explores a fictional company where employees surgically separate their work and personal memories, has been a critical darling since its 2022 debut. Now Apple wants to ensure it controls every aspect of the franchise's future. According to TechCrunch, the series is mapped out for four seasons, with Apple already exploring spin-offs, a prequel series, and international adaptations.
This isn't just about one show. It's about Apple fundamentally changing how it approaches content. When Apple TV+ launched in 2019, the company relied heavily on external production studios, licensing shows rather than owning them outright. That model works for building a library quickly, but it leaves money on the table long-term. Every time someone watches a licensed show, Apple pays. When they own it, those economics flip entirely.
Netflix learned this lesson years ago. The streaming giant spent its early years licensing content from studios, then watched those partners yank back their libraries to launch competing services. That painful experience drove Netflix to invest billions in original content it fully owned. Now Apple is following the same playbook, but with the advantage of learning from Netflix's mistakes and having significantly deeper pockets.
