CNN — “The Apprentice,” the NBC reality show that turned Donald Trump into a household name, is now available for streaming on Amazon Prime Video.
Starting Monday, Amazon announced it will stream the first seven seasons of the show. The first season is now live, with new seasons being added weekly. “The Apprentice,” which began in 2004, featured 16 contestants competing for a $250,000 salary to work at The Trump Organization.
Created by Mark Burnett, the show ran for 15 seasons and had about 200 episodes in the United States. It kept the original name for seven seasons but changed to “The Celebrity Apprentice” for the remaining eight seasons. Trump hosted all but the last season, which was led by Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Mark Burnett praised “The Apprentice,” saying it is one of his best productions. With its new availability on Prime Video, he hopes a new audience will enjoy it every Monday.
“The Apprentice” played a significant role in boosting Trump’s fame. Early seasons attracted around 20 million viewers each week. Trump left the show in 2015 to run for president, but he stands to gain from the show’s return to the streaming platform, as he was also an executive producer.
Amazon did not disclose how much Trump will make from this deal. However, a New York Times report from September 2020 indicated that he profited substantially from product placements during the show.
This streaming deal marks the second partnership between Amazon and the Trump family this year. Earlier, Prime Video secured the rights to a documentary about Melania Trump, with her also attached as an executive producer. Reports suggest that deal was worth around $40 million.
These agreements suggest Amazon is making significant investments in the Trump family, perhaps hoping for a favorable relationship. Recent shifts at Bezos’ Washington Post may align with efforts to foster a kinder image of Trump, benefitting both Amazon and Blue Origin.
Trump expressed excitement about “The Apprentice” streaming on Prime Video, mentioning the great memories and fun he had making the show. He noted it was a valuable learning experience for everyone involved.
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