Kenya Barris Leaving ABC, Eyes Nine Figure Netflix Deal
Netflix continues to upset the television apple cart by offering enormous sums of money to big comedy talent. The latest news comes in the form of a potential defection from super-producer Kenya Barris. Barris has been in Montreal this week delivering the keynote address at Montreal’s 2018 Just for Laughs Festival. But the big news today is that the co-creator of America’s Next Top Model, creator of ABC’s mega hit family comedy Black-ish and the spinoff Grown-ish (and writer of the 2017 summer smash Girls Trip) has left ABC, and according to THR, he may be looking to head over to Netflix with a nine figure overall deal.
Barris had three years remaining on his ABC contract but negotiated a release from his obligations there.
“I’m very grateful to Patrick Moran and his team at ABC Studios, who have supported me every step of the way as I created the worlds of Black-ish, Grown-ish and now Besties,” he said in a statement. “They’ve allowed me to realize my dream of creating my own shows and I’m so proud of the work we’ve done together. No matter what, the studio has never wavered in their support of my creative vision. Leaving is bittersweet, but between my series on the air and projects currently in development, I know I’ll continue to work with ABC Studios for a long time.”
