Apple TV+ is seeking to expand into high fantasy television after lagging behind competitors Netflix and HBO in building major fantasy franchises.
The subscription streaming service, operated by technology giant Apple Inc., took its first major step into fantasy production earlier this year by acquiring adaptation rights to the Cosmere universe created by author Brandon Sanderson.
Under the terms of the agreement, Sanderson will retain an unusual level of creative control for Hollywood studio projects. The writer is set to participate in nearly all phases of development as Apple TV+ brings his fictional universe to the screen.
Apple TV+ has established a strong reputation for high-budget science fiction, leading the industry with acclaimed original sci-fi series. However, fantasy programming remains a pending task for the service, which has not yet produced major breakout hits in the genre.
Competing platforms including Netflix, HBO, Prime Video, and Disney+ have built dominant positions by launching major fantasy franchises. Services such as HBO and Netflix have drawn millions of subscribers worldwide through large-scale fantasy adaptations based on popular literary properties.
Expanding the Fantasy Strategy
Industry observers note that securing Sanderson's work is a key indicator of a shift in strategy, but Apple TV+ may need further additions to become a dominant force in fantasy. A logical next step for the platform could involve acquiring adaptation rights from author Sarah J. Maas.
Maas is one of the most prominent contemporary authors in the fantasy genre. She is responsible for three major interconnected book series: Throne of Glass, A Court of Thorns and Roses, and House of Earth and Blood.
Her published books have sold more than 38 million copies worldwide. Much like Sanderson's Cosmere universe, the stories written by Maas are connected through a broader shared cosmos, creating a unified narrative world across her individual book series.
That interconnected design makes Maas an especially attractive candidate for Apple TV+ as the platform builds its own fantasy ecosystem. In past interviews, Maas stated that she is interested in screen adaptations if she maintains a major hands-on role throughout the production process.
Competing in Fantasy Streaming
Adding another major literary property would significantly broaden Apple TV+'s fantasy catalog. While the deal with Sanderson places the platform in a privileged starting position, bringing Maas into the fold would allow the service to execute a far more ambitious strategy.
As streaming services continue to compete for subscriber attention, high-concept fantasy universes have become essential assets for major platforms. Securing top-tier fantasy authors gives Apple TV+ the material needed to challenge rival networks that have long dominated the genre.
