James Corden’s Late Late Show segment is set to become a full series, the rights to which have just been purchased by Apple Music.
The streaming service, which occasionally also provides video content, said in a statement: “We love music, and ‘Carpool Karaoke’ celebrates it in a fun and unique way that is a hit with audiences of all ages. It is the perfect fit for Apple music- bringing subscribers exclusive access to their favourite artists and celebrities who come along for the ride.”
This partnership with CBS has taken its time, with rumours about a full ‘Carpool Karaoke’ series being around months. Apple have licensed 16 full episodes, and though Corden is not set to host, he will function as an executive producer for the new show. The format will be similar to the current segment, but the full-length episodes will allow for a more unique and personal touch, with the singer/celebrity of the week’s episode taking the host on a road trip, to places that are significant to them.
‘Carpool Karaoke’ has been a hit since it was first introduced on the Late Late Show in 2015, and since then has grown in both scale and popularity, with the segment having garnered over 800 million hits on YouTube. The most recent addition to the segment saw First Lady Michelle Obama, and Missy Elliott taking a trip in the car around the grounds of the White House.
The show will be part of Apple’s new initiative to create more video based content, which in turn is part of a wider strategy to gain the edge over other music streaming sites such as Spotify and Google Play. Other products in the line-up include a series scripted by Dr. Dre, and reality competition show, Planet of the Apps.
Watch the latest Carpool Karaoke video below:
