Amazon has announced that the first seven seasons of the hit reality TV show The Apprentice will be available for exclusive streaming on Prime Video. The first season debuted on the platform on Monday, with subsequent seasons set to be released every week.
A Reality TV Sensation
The Apprentice, created by Mark Burnett, originally premiered on NBC in 2004. The show featured 16 contestants competing in various business challenges for a $250,000 salary and the chance to work for The Trump Organization. The series played a crucial role in turning Donald Trump from a well-known real estate mogul into a mainstream television personality.
The show had a strong run of 15 seasons and nearly 200 episodes in the U.S. While it retained the title The Apprentice for seven seasons (Seasons 1-6 and 10), it was later rebranded as The Celebrity Apprentice for the remaining eight seasons. Trump hosted all but the final season, which was led by former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Mark Burnett on the Show’s Legacy
Mark Burnett, known for producing The Voice, Survivor, and Shark Tank, expressed enthusiasm about The Apprentice reaching a new audience through Prime Video.
“The Apprentice is one of the best shows I ever produced,” Burnett said in a statement. “Now, thanks to Prime Video, a whole new audience will experience a new season every Monday.”
Boosting Trump’s National Profile
The reality show played a key role in elevating Trump’s public persona, drawing an average of 20 million weekly viewers during its peak. Trump left the show in 2015 to launch his first presidential campaign. As an executive producer of The Apprentice, he is expected to profit from the Prime Video deal, although the financial details of the agreement have not been disclosed.
Prime Video has not commented on how much Trump will earn from the streaming rights. However, a 2020 New York Times report estimated that Trump made millions from product placements on the show.
Amazon’s Growing Ties with the Trump Family
This is Amazon’s second deal involving the Trump family in 2025. In January, Prime Video acquired a new documentary centered on Melania Trump, the former first lady, who is also an executive producer of the project. While Amazon has not disclosed the financial details of that deal, Puck reported that the streaming rights were secured for $40 million.
The acquisition of The Apprentice and the Melania Trump documentary suggests Amazon is making a significant investment in Trump-related content. Some observers believe that Amazon founder Jeff Bezos is making strategic moves to improve relations with Trump, particularly given his company’s interests in both media and technology. Recent editorial changes at The Washington Post, which Bezos owns, have also sparked speculation about his shifting stance toward Trump.
Trump Reacts to the Announcement
Trump himself welcomed the news of The Apprentice arriving on Prime Video, reminiscing about his time on the show.
“I look forward to watching this show myself — such great memories, and so much fun, but most importantly, it was a learning experience for all of us,” Trump said in a statement.
With Amazon bringing The Apprentice back into the spotlight, the show is poised to reach a new generation of viewers while further fueling discussions about Trump’s legacy in both television and politics.
The Information is Collected from CNN and NBC News.
