Higher Ground
Higher Ground is a Los Angeles-based media production company founded in 2018 by Barack and Michelle Obama that produces scripted films, documentaries, TV series, children's programming, podcasts, and Broadway theatrical content for global distribution platforms including Netflix, HBO, Audible, and Spotify.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2018
- HeadquartersLos Angeles, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Higher Ground does
Higher Ground Productions is a privately held media production company founded in 2018 by former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama and headquartered in Los Angeles. The company produces scripted films, television series, children's programming, documentaries, podcasts, and — as of 2026 — Broadway theatrical productions, serving global distribution platforms rather than end consumers directly. Its portfolio spans 24 projects since inception, including the Academy Award-winning documentaries 'American Factory' (2019) and 'Crip Camp' (2020), narrative features such as 'Leave the World Behind' (2023) and 'Rustin' (2023), children's series ('Waffles + Mochi,' 'Ada Twist, Scientist'), and docuseries including 'Starting 5,' 'Court of Gold,' and 'Our Oceans.' The company has collectively earned 3 Oscar nominations and 12 Emmy nominations across its productions.
The business model is built around content licensing and production-for-hire rather than direct consumer monetization. Higher Ground originally operated under an exclusive overall deal with Netflix, which by 2024 had shifted to a first-look arrangement; in 2026 the company announced full independence, enabling multi-platform distribution across HBO, Apple, Amazon, FX, Disney, Audible, Spotify, and Broadway. Revenue is generated through production licensing agreements with these platforms, with the company functioning as a prestige content supplier targeting streaming and broadcast buyers seeking differentiated, awards-position product. Distribution partners include Netflix (legacy), HBO, Audible, and Spotify, and the company employs between 11 and 50 people. Its go-to-market motion is fundamentally event-driven, leveraging the Obama name and direct celebrity relationships to secure talent and premium platform placement rather than building proprietary technology or consumer-facing distribution infrastructure.
Higher Ground firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Higher Ground
- Legal name
- Higher Ground Productions
- Website
- https://highergroundmedia.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2018
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Higher Ground is a Los Angeles-based media production company founded in 2018 by Barack and Michelle Obama that produces scripted films, documentaries, TV series, children's programming, podcasts, and Broadway theatrical content for global distribution platforms including Netflix, HBO, Audible, and Spotify.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Higher Ground industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Media Production
- NAICS
- Motion Picture and Video Production (51211), Record Production and Distribution (51225)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Performing Arts Centers & Presenters (Programming/Booking) (MPAGABAM)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- University & Educational Venue Operations (Auditoriums, Campus Arenas) (MPAGALAI)
Keywords
Where Higher Ground is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Los Angeles
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Markets served
Higher Ground business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Content Production Licensing: Higher Ground produces film, television, and podcast content under partnership agreements with major studios and streaming platforms. The company produces content that is then licensed/distributed through partners like Netflix, HBO, Audible, and others.
- Theater Production: Higher Ground co-produces Broadway theatrical productions, such as 'Proof' starring Ayo Edebiri and Don Cheadle, expanding revenue streams beyond digital content.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels4 records
Higher Ground product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Higher Ground is a media production company that develops, produces, and finances premium content including feature films, documentaries, scripted and unscripted television series, podcasts, and Broadway/theatrical productions. The company produces content intended for distribution through major streaming platforms, premium cable networks, audio platforms, and theatrical venues.
Product overview
Higher Ground is a media production company founded by Barack and Michelle Obama in 2018 that produces films, television series, documentaries, and podcasts. The portfolio includes Academy Award-winning documentaries (American Factory, Crip Camp), narrative films (Leave the World Behind, Rustin), docuseries (Starting 5, Court of Gold, Our Oceans), children's programming (Waffles + Mochi, Ada Twist, Scientist), comedy series (Life, Larry and the Pursuit of Unhappiness), theatrical productions (Proof on Broadway), and podcasts (IMO with Michelle Obama & Craig Robinson, Fela Kuti: Fear No Man, The Big Hit Show series). The company operates across multiple distribution platforms including Netflix, HBO, Audible, and Spotify, and has expanded from its initial Netflix exclusive deal to work independently with various studios.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Quantifiable outcome
- 3 Oscar nominations (American Factory won Best Documentary, Rustin nominated)
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Higher Ground
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles1 record
Higher Ground technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Higher Ground partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- AudiblecoreHigher Ground partnered with Audible along with The History Channel and Pushkin Industries to produce 'Reconstruction: The Unfinished Promise' podcast series exploring the Reconstruction Era (1865-1877).
- Pushkin IndustriescorePodcast production partner for 'Reconstruction: The Unfinished Promise' alongside Higher Ground, The History Channel, and Audible.
- The History ChannelcorePartnership for 'Reconstruction: The Unfinished Promise' as part of The History Channel's HISTORY Honors 250 campaign marking America's 250th anniversary. Also partner for other historical content.
- Blue Ox FilmscoreBlue Ox Films partnered with Higher Ground to produce 'Air Force Elite: Thunderbirds' which received Emmy nomination for Outstanding Cinematography: Documentary. Blue Ox Films is an independent production company based in Portland, Oregon.
- Supper ClubminorProduction partner with Netflix and Higher Ground for 'Air Force Elite: Thunderbirds' documentary.
- NBA EntertainmentminorProduction partner with HBO Max and Higher Ground for 'We Beat the Dream Team' documentary.
- Lemme Say This PodcastminorThe 'Lemme Say This' pop-culture podcast returned under a new pact with Higher Ground, marking an expansion of Higher Ground's podcast portfolio.
- HBOcoreHBO distributes Higher Ground's 'Life, Larry and the Pursuit of Unhappiness' comedy series, one of the first projects under Higher Ground's post-Netflix independent operation.
- NetflixcoreOriginal exclusive deal (2018) shifted to first-look arrangement in 2024. Deal set to conclude later in 2026, with Higher Ground transitioning to independent operation. Higher Ground continues collaboration with Netflix on projects already in development.
- Broadway (Booth Theatre)coreHigher Ground making Broadway producing debut with 'Proof' revival starring Ayo Edebiri and Don Cheadle, opening at the Booth Theatre on April 16, 2026. Directed by Thomas Kail.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Higher Ground competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Skydance Media: David Ellison's diversified media company producing film, TV, animation, and interactive content. Comparable as founder-led production company with major streamer/broadcaster partnerships and broad content portfolio.
- Amblin Partners: Steven Spielberg's larger entertainment company spanning film, TV, and digital content. Comparable as established production company with prestige pedigree and long-standing relationships with major platforms.
Direct peers
- A24: Independent film production and distribution company known for prestige content. Comparable focus on prestige, awards-caliber productions and multi-platform distribution across streamers and theatrical.
- Hello Sunshine: Reese Witherspoon's production company producing premium film, TV, and audio content with female-driven narratives. Direct comparable: celebrity-founded production company leveraging founder brand for talent access and premium platform deals.
- Harpo Productions: Oprah Winfrey's media production company producing prestige film, TV, and digital content. Direct comparable: celebrity-founder-led production company focused on socially conscious and inspirational content with premium platform distribution.
- JuVee Productions: Viola Davis and Julius Tennon's production company producing film, TV, and digital content focused on underrepresented voices. Comparable as celebrity-founded production company producing socially conscious prestige content with platform distribution.
- Chernin Entertainment: Peter Chernin-led production company producing prestige film, TV, and documentary content. Comparable producer-driven model with major platform partnerships and prestige focus.
- SpringHill Company: LeBron James and Maverick Carter's entertainment and production company spanning film, TV, and digital content. Comparable as celebrity-founded multi-format production company producing sports, culture, and narrative content.
- Plan B Entertainment: Brad Pitt's production company producing prestige film and limited series. Comparable as celebrity-founder-led production company with award-winning prestige slate and major streaming/broadcaster partnerships.
Emerging players
- ARRAY (formerly AFFRM): Ava DuVernay's distribution and production collective focused on underrepresented filmmakers. Comparable as mission-driven production company producing socially conscious content with multi-platform distribution.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Higher Ground social profiles
Digital presenceHigher Ground financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Higher Ground leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Higher Ground funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Higher Ground M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Higher Ground
What does Higher Ground do?
Higher Ground is a media production company that develops, produces, and finances premium content including feature films, documentaries, scripted and unscripted television series, podcasts, and Broadway/theatrical productions. The company produces content intended for distribution through major streaming platforms, premium cable networks, audio platforms, and theatrical venues.
Is Higher Ground a public or private company?
Higher Ground is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Higher Ground founded?
Higher Ground was founded in 2018. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Higher Ground based?
Higher Ground is headquartered in Los Angeles, United States, in the North America region.
How does Higher Ground make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Content Production Licensing is the primary driver. The others are theater Production.
Who are Higher Ground's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Skydance Media and Amblin Partners. Direct peers are A24, Hello Sunshine, Harpo Productions, JuVee Productions, Chernin Entertainment, SpringHill Company and Plan B Entertainment. ARRAY (formerly AFFRM) is listed as an emerging player.
Does Higher Ground have an API?
No public API is recorded for Higher Ground.
What industry is Higher Ground in?
Higher Ground's product category is Media Production. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAGABAM, Performing Arts Centers & Presenters (Programming/Booking), with a secondary code of MPAGALAI, University & Educational Venue Operations (Auditoriums, Campus Arenas). Its NAICS code is 51211.