In this Oct. 31, 2017 file photo, former President Barack Obama, right, and former first lady Michelle Obama appear at the Obama Foundation Summit in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast, File)
LOS ANGELES (AP) --
Barack and Michelle Obama's production company is teaming up with Spotify to produce exclusive podcasts for the platform.
Under the Higher Ground partnership announced Thursday, the former president and first lady will develop and lend their voices to select podcasts.
The Obamas launched Higher Ground in 2018 with an initial partnership with Netflix. The idea was to raise new, diverse voices in the entertainment industry. The Spotify partnership seeks to expand the conversation.
In a statement, the former president says podcasts offer an opportunity to "foster productive dialogue, make people smile and make people think."
Michelle Obama says she hopes they can help people connect emotionally and open their hearts and minds.
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts smiles on the podium with Terry Bradshaw and defensive tackle Milton Williams (93) after a win over the Kansas City Chiefs during the NFL Super Bowl 59 football game, Sunday, Feb. 9, 2025, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Fox Sports is projecting a Super Bowl record average audience of 126 million U.S. viewers across television and streaming platforms for Philadelphia's 40-22 victory over Kansas City on Sunday night.
The game was televised by Fox, Fox Deportes and Telemundo and streamed on Tubi as well as the NFL's digital platforms.
Fox's projections on Monday included Nielsen's early numbers and streaming data from Tubi and the NFL. Updated and more complete numbers were expected on Tuesday.
It would be the second straight year the Super Bowl has reached a record audience. The Chiefs' 25-22 overtime victory over San Francisco last year averaged 123.7 million on CBS, Nickelodeon, Univision and streaming platforms.
According to Fox, the audience peaked at 135.7 million in the second quarter.
The early data projects 14.5 million watched on streaming platforms, including 13.6 million on Tubi, where the game was available for free.
Some of the increase can be attributed to a change in the way viewers are counted. This is the first year Nielsen is measuring out-of-home viewers for all states but Hawaii and Alaska.
It was previously the top 44 media markets, which covered 65% of the country.
The ratings also include Nielsen data from smart TVs along with cable and satellite set-top boxes.
After two straight years of close Super Bowls, Sunday's game was decided in the first half as Philadelphia built a 24-0 lead.
This Super Bowl also had Donald Trump and Taylor Swift in attendance.
Trump was the first sitting president to attend a Super Bowl, while Swift's romance with Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce continues to keep the pop superstar's fans interested in the NFL.
It was the third straight year the Super... Read More