Sony Pictures Television heads Jamie Erlicht and Zack Van Amburg move to Apple

In case it wasn't clear enought that Apple is serious about creating its own original programming for Apple Music, the company has redoubled its efforts to hire top-tier industry talent.

Jamie Erlicht and Zack Van Amburg, two of television’s most notable and influential executives, are joining Apple in newly created positions overseeing all aspects of video programming.

This means original content beyond the company's current shows Carpool Karaoke and Planet of the Apps. The hiring is a very Apple move, if the company is somewhat deficient in a specific area, it goes after the best available talent to bolster its position and become a key player. Erlicht and Van Amburg getting on board is just as huge as hiring Jimmy Iovine and Dr. Dre (and Trent Reznor), specially now that original programming is what is driving streaming services like Netflix.

Erlicht and Van Amburg will lead video programming worldwide, reporting to Eddy Cue. They join Apple from Sony Pictures Television where they have served as presidents since 2005, and have been responsible for some of the most popular and widely acclaimed programming of the past decade, including favorites such as Breaking Bad and its spinoff Better Call Saul, The Crown, Rescue Me and many more. 

“Jamie and Zack are two of the most talented TV executives in the world and have been instrumental in making this the golden age of television,” said Eddy Cue, Apple’s senior vice president of Internet Software and Services. “We have exciting plans in store for customers and can’t wait for them to bring their expertise to Apple — there is much more to come.”

“It will be an honour to be part of the Apple team,” said Jamie Erlicht. "We want to bring to video what Apple has been so successful with in their other services and consumer products — unparalleled quality."