{
  "id": 3987651,
  "title": "Apple TV Buys an Existing Hit for the First Time Ever",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/28/apple-tv-buys-an-existing-hit-for-the-first-time-ever",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-08-28T15:52:49.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "MacRumors",
    "slug": "macrumors",
    "url": "https://www.macrumors.com/2026/08/28/apple-tv-buys-an-existing-hit-for-first-time/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Apple TV has acquired worldwide rights for the English-language series Small Prophets, marking the first time it has purchased an existing hit rather than commissioning a new show. Typically, Apple TV develops or commissions its own content, as seen with the BBC's Trying, which was first produced by Apple TV and later licensed back to the BBC. Small Prophets is an exception, having already achieved commercial success in other countries before Apple's acquisition. The show, created by Mackenzie Crook, follows the story of Quigley, an eccentric man who hopes for his missing girlfriend Clea to return. With strong ratings on BBC Two and at the Series Mania festival, Small Prophets will stream on Apple TV worldwide starting October 7, except in the UK, where it debuted on BBC iPlayer and BBC Two.",
  "summary": "Apple TV has bought the worldwide rights to \"Small Prophets,\" breaking with how it normally operates in acquiring an existing English-language hit rather than commissioning a show of its own from the start. ‌Apple TV‌ has typically developed or, at the very least, commissioned shows in-house and given them their premiere on the service, regardless of where they may eventually end up.…",
  "key_points": [
    "Apple TV acquires worldwide rights for Small Prophets.",
    "Series Small Prophets already successful in other countries.",
    "Show begins streaming on Apple TV October 7, except UK."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}