Legendary producer Norman Lear is about to bring his massive suite of classic TV series to Prime Video and IMDb TV. The streaming platform has entered a licensing deal with Sony Pictures Television to bring iconic TV series such as 227, Diff’rent Strokes, Good Times, The Jeffersons, Sanford & Son, Maude, All In The Family and many others to the masses.
This collection marks the largest volume of Norman Lear complete series content ever available to stream. Good Times, and One Day at a Time will launch July 15 on IMDb TV. The deal also marks the first time that episodes of Maude starring the late great Bea Arthur and all seasons of All in the Family will be available to stream. The two titles will also be available on July 15.
In addition, 227 and Diff’rent Strokes will launch on Prime Video, July 15, while The Jeffersons, Sanford & Son, and Sanford will launch on Prime Video later in 2021.
“Life is a collaboration. Writing, directing and producing films and television is perhaps the most collaborative work of all. In 2018, our Act III Productions sat with the team at Sony Pictures Television and formed a partnership to not only produce new content, but to bring a new awareness to my former Embassy library,” said Lear. “That Sony found a home for that library with Prime Video/IMDb TV where new generations could find it, is the best present a man entering his 100th year can have,”
“Norman Lear is a national treasure and his impact on television and popular culture is immeasurable,” said Jennifer Salke, Head of Amazon Studios. “We are so honored to bring his classic television series to Prime Video and IMDb TV so new audiences and a new generation can laugh, enjoy and be inspired, like so many of us have been throughout the years.”
Keith Le Goy, Chairman, Distribution and Networks, Sony Pictures Entertainment added, “Norman Lear’s series have never been more relevant or timely. With this deal, audiences will be able to enjoy more episodes than ever before of these groundbreaking series on Prime Video and IMDb TV. We’re thrilled to be able to partner with Amazon to bring these iconic shows to new audiences for 2021 and beyond.”
At the young age of 99, Lear continues to work, pushing the envelope when it comes to representation, inclusion and progressive storylines that reflect the social and political landscape of America. Most recently, Lear executive produced and co-hosted LIVE in Front of a Studio Audience…, alongside Jimmy Kimmel. The series featured re-enactments of memorable episodes from his body of work. In addition to television, Lear the executive produced the films I Carry You With Me and Rita Moreno: Just A Girl Who Decided to Go For It.
Lear is a 2017 Kennedy Center Honoree, a recipient of the National Medal of Arts in 1999, a winner of the Peabody Lifetime Achievement Award in 2016, and a proud member of the inaugural group of inductees into the Television Academy Hall of Fame in 1984. He has won six Primetime Emmy awards.
So yes, Lear is an icon.
