It's being reported today that Jason Katims is departing his longtime home at Universal TV for a new multi-year overall deal at Apple. Katims and his True Jack Productions banner will remain at Universal TV until this summer when his current deal expires before making the move to Apple.

He has previously created shows like “Parenthood,” “Roswell,” “About a Boy,” and “Rise.” His writing and producing credits also include hit shows like “Friday Night Lights,” “Boston Public,” and “The Path.” Katims is also attached to write the Netflix space drama “Away” and to produce the Fox comedy “Sisters,” with both projects hailing from Universal TV. “Away” was picked up straight-to-series back in June.

Katims becomes the latest broadcast studio-focused showrunner to jump to a tech giant, joining prolific producers including Ryan Murphy (who left 20th TV), Shonda Rhimes and Kenya Barris (who both departed from ABC Studios) — who all moved to Netflix — and Justin Lin, with the latter having exited his longtime home at Sony TV last year for a pact with Apple. Since Rhimes' move to Netflix, many top showrunners have taken a closer look at their worth as the overall deals space continues to explode with rich pacts given the demand for proved hit-makers.

Sources: Variety, Hollywood Reporter

Archive: Apple Worldwide Video News