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‘Black-ish’ Creator Kenya Barris Sets Exclusive Netflix Deal

Posted byBy Associated Press | Published on: CommentsComments (0)
Kenya Barris

FILE – In this Jan. 8, 2017 file photo, Kenya Barris arrives at the HBO Golden Globes afterparty in Beverly Hills, Calif. Netflix says it’s signed “black-ish” creator Kenya Barris to an exclusive production agreement. The multi-year deal announced Thursday makes Barris the latest prominent TV showrunner to jump from broadcast and cable to the streaming platform.(Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP, File)

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Netflix says it’s signed “Black-ish” creator Kenya Barris to an exclusive production agreement.

The multi-year deal announced Thursday makes Barris the latest prominent TV creator to jump from broadcast and cable to the streaming platform.

Barris’ Peabody-winning “Black-ish” aired on ABC, and he produced the spinoff “Grown-ish” for the network’s Disney Co. sibling, Freeform.

He ended his ABC Studios contract early after ABC declined to air a “black-ish” episode that reportedly addressed issues including the NFL player protests.

Among other producers who have made Netflix deals: Shonda Rhimes, creator of ABC hits “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Scandal,” and Ryan Murphy of FX series including “American Horror Story.”

In a statement, Barris joked that he’d decided to take a chance on Netflix despite it being what he called a “mom-and-pop shop.”

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