Sony Pictures Television

Sony Pictures Television Inc.
Division
Industry Television production
Television syndication
Predecessor Screen Gems (1948–1974)
Columbia Pictures Television (1974–2001)
TriStar Television (1986–1988, 1991–1999)
Columbia TriStar Television (1994–2002)
Founded September 16, 2002 (2002-09-16)
Headquarters Culver City, California, United States
Area served
 Worldwide
Key people
 Jeff Frost[1]
(President)
Chris Parnell[1]
(Co-president)
Jason Clodfelter[1]
(Co-president)
Owner Sony
Parent Sony Pictures Entertainment
Divisions Adelaide Productions
CPT Holdings
Electric Ray
Fable Pictures
Huaso
Stellify Media
TriStar Productions
TriStar Television
Subsidiaries 2waytraffic
Blueprint Pictures
Califon Productions
CSC Media Group
Embassy Row
Floresta
Jeopardy Productions
Lean-M
Left Bank Pictures
Palladium Fiction
Playmaker Media
Starling
Teleset
Funimation (Sale pending)
Website SPT Website

Sony Pictures Television, Inc. (abbreviated as SPT, formerly known as Columbia TriStar Television) is an American television production and distribution studio. Based in Culver City, California, it is a division of Sony Entertainment's Sony Pictures Entertainment and a unit of the Japanese conglomerate Sony.

Background

In addition to the Sony Pictures Entertainment film library, SPT owns and distributes shows from Tandem Productions, ELP Communications, TeleVentures, Merv Griffin Enterprises, Four D Productions, Barris Industries, Barry & Enright Productions, Stewart Television, and 2waytraffic. It is a joint owner of Game Show Network with the AT&T Entertainment Group,[2] owns the Crackle digital service, and jointly owns the rights to most of the post-1947 Bob Hope film library with FremantleMedia North America.

SPT owns production or distribution rights in many comedies and dramas spanning over six decades, including titles like I Dream of Jeannie, Bewitched, Gidget, The Monkees, the 1959 Dennis the Menace series, Who's the Boss?, Married... with Children, Designing Women,[3] Castle Rock Entertainment's Seinfeld, The King of Queens in the United States while CBS handles overseas rights, Community, Rules of Engagement, Breaking Bad and The Blacklist. The company also produces Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune, the two longest-running and highest-rated game shows in syndication while CBS Television Distribution distributes the two;[4] two daytime talk shows, The Dr. Oz Show[5] and The Queen Latifah Show;[6] the reality shows Shark Tank[7] and The Sing-Off;[8] and two long-running soap operas, NBC's Days of Our Lives[3] and CBS's The Young and the Restless.[9]

In 2009, SPT collaborated with Jeff Arnold (founder of WebMD) and Dr. Mehmet Oz on Sharecare, an online platform where users have their health and wellness-related questions answered by industry experts and such institutions as AARP, the American Cancer Society, the American Heart Association, the American Red Cross, the Cleveland Clinic and Johns Hopkins University.[10] Additional co-founders in Sharecare include Harpo Productions, Discovery Communications, and HSW International.[11]

As of 2015, it is the world's largest television production and distribution company measured by library and revenue (along with Time Warner's Warner Bros. Television).[12][13]

History

SPT's history goes back to 1947, when Pioneer Telefilms was founded by Ralph Cohn, whose father Jack and uncle Harry co-founded Columbia Pictures. Pioneer was bought by Columbia and renamed Screen Gems in November 1948, reincorporated as Columbia Pictures Television on May 6, 1974,[14] and merged with sister studio TriStar Television (formed in 1986 and relaunched in 1991) to form Columbia TriStar Television on February 21, 1994.[15]

On September 16, 2002, Sony Pictures Entertainment retired the name "Columbia TriStar" from television and renamed the American studio as Sony Pictures Television and its international division as Sony Pictures Television International.[16] Some shows continued using the CTDT name, although many stopped using it in November 2002, while Hollywood Squares continued using it until early 2003.

On November 24, 2004, Sony Pictures Television International formed a joint venture called Huaso with Hua Long Film Digital Production Co., Ltd. of the China Film Group in Beijing.[17][18]

From 2005 to 2006, SPT was the distributor of MGM's TV and film library, due in part to the Sony-led consortium's purchase of MGM. In 2006, SPT joined forces with Program Partners to handle advertising sales and distribution rights to foreign television series in the U.S., mostly shows produced in Canada. The same year, SPT signed Embassy Row a three-year deal for new game shows, game show revivals, and scripted and non-scripted series.

In summer 2007, SPT introduced The Minisode Network, a digital channel for MySpace airing shows from the 1960s to early 2000s from four to five minutes. In winter 2007, The Minisode Network was also added to a few more sites like AOL TV, YouTube, and its sister site Crackle.

On March 27, 2008, SPT International acquired a minority stake in the new production company Gogglebox Entertainment, founded by two former Lion Television executives, Matt Steiner and Adam Wood.[19][20] On June 4, 2008, SPT bought Hilversum, Netherlands-based production company 2waytraffic, international holders of the Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? franchise.[21]

On January 14, 2009, SPT acquired Embassy Row, a television and digital production company by British television producer Michael Davies. Fourteen days later, SPTI acquired a 50% stake in Colombian independent TV production company Teleset.[22] Three months later on April 1, Sony Pictures Entertainment consolidated its US and international television divisions under one roof. Sony Pictures Television International now operates in-name-only.[23]

On June 23, 2011, SPT formed Victory Television, a London-based television production company jointly owned by Victoria Ashbourne, SPT's senior vice president of creative development for international production.[24] (Not to be confused with Jim Victory Television, a defunct syndication company previously owned by MTM Enterprises.) On September 25, 2011, Andrea Wong was tapped to head the international television production division of Sony Pictures Television to oversee all international businesses for the studio.[25]

On January 19, 2012, SPT acquired Dolphin Broadcast Services Ltd. and merged it into its existing UK networks business. SPT also took a majority stake in Dolphin's advertising sales business.[26][27] On March 1, 2012, SPT acquired a majority stake in UK independent production company Silver River Productions.[28] On May 31, SPT launched Sony Movie Channel and AXN in Canada in partnership with Hollywood Suite. Two of Hollywood Suite's networks: Hollywood Festival re-launched as Sony Movie Channel and Hollywood Storm as AXN Movies on September 4, 2012.[29] On August 23, 2012, SPT acquired a majority stake in Left Bank Pictures, a UK production company founded by Andy Harries, Francis Hopkinson, and Marigo Kehoe.[30][31]

On August 22, 2013, Sony Pictures Television acquired a majority stake in Simon Andrae's new production company Scarlet Media.[32] However, two months later, Andrae dropped his plans for Scarlet and was tapped to become executive vice-president of alternative entertainment for Fox.[33] On December 16, 2013, Tuvalu Media joined forces with financing firm Karmign and acquired SPT's 60% stakes to regain independence. SPT acquired 60% in Tuvalu in 2008.[34]

On January 15, 2014, former BBC entertainment commissioner Karl Warner teamed with SPT to launch Electric Ray, which will collaborate with SPT in the U.S. and abroad on development for entertainment and informative programming. All of Electric Ray's programming will be exported by SPT. The company's name comes from the nickname for Warner's father, who was an electrician.[35][36] On March 20, 2014, SPT joined forces with execs Kieran Doherty and Matt Worthy to form Stellify Media. The new venture will be based in Northern Ireland. Just like Electric Ray, Stellify Media will collaborate with SPT's other production companies and UK shows and formats will be exported by SPT's distribution arm.[37]

On June 26, 2014, SPT announced the decision to acquire CSC Media Group including 16 of its cable channels.[38] the deal closed on August 15, 2014.[39] On November 6, 2014, Daisy Goodwin stepped down from Silver River Productions amid Sony's restructuring. The studio had restructured its operations to SPT's streamline operations. She was less active in her production company and had been focusing on her books.[40] On December 1, 2014, SPT acquired Australian drama production company, Playmaker Media.[41][42]

On July 26, 2014, Liberty Global announced that it had put Film1 up for sale.[43] Liberty Global agreed to sell Film1 to Sony Pictures Television on March 27, 2015.[44] The sale was completed on July 21, 2015.[45]

On May 28, 2015, TriStar Television was re-launched as a boutique production label for Sony Pictures Television. The revived studio will be run by Suzanne Patmore-Gibbs after being in-name-only for 15 years.[46] The first new series will be The Good Girls Revolt and is set to be piloted for Amazon.[37] On September 28, 2015, Steve Mosko was promoted to chairman of SPT. He held the position as president of the television studio since 2000 when it was known as Columbia TriStar Television.[47]

On March 1, 2016, Sony announced to shut down Victory Television after Managing Director Victoria Ashbourne announced to step down after five years to pursue other opportunities. SPT will retain international distribution rights for all of Victory's productions.[48] Thirteen days later, 2016, SPT acquired a minor stake in Faye Ward's UK startup company, Fable Pictures.[49] On April 1, 2016, Gogglebox Entertainment founders Adam Wood and Matt Steiner announced the closing of the Sony-backed independent to launch a new production venture after their contract with SPT expired.[50] On June 2, 2016, longtime SPT executive Steve Mosko stepped down as chairman of the studio.[51] Mosko had been with the studio since 1992. Instead of replacing him, the duties had been split to several SPT executives and will report to Sony Entertainment CEO, Michael Lynton. On June 7, 2016, SPT acquired a minority stake in UK production company Blueprint Pictures.[52]

On July 25, 2017, SPE's new chairman and CEO, Tony Vinciquerra tapped Jeff Frost, Chris Parnell, and Jason Clodfelter as co-presidents of SPT. Frost joined SPT in 2008 from ABC Studios, Parnell in 2003 and Clodfelter in 2006.[1]

On July 31, 2017, Sony Pictures Television announced that it would acquire a 95% controlling stake in anime importer Funimation for $143 million pending approval from the US Department of Justice.[53] Sony touted that the deal would allow Funimation to have synergies with its Animax and Kids Station divisions and "direct access to the creative pipeline". Sony Pictures Home Entertainment would take over home video distribution for Funimation and Crunchyroll after Funimation's current home video deal with Universal Pictures Home Entertainment expires. In addition, Funimation Films could potentially distribute anime films acquired by Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions.

Television networks

These are the networks owned & operated and jointly operated by Sony Pictures Television. For channels owned under CSC Media Group, see CSC Media Group. For channels owned under Film1, see Film1.

See also

Notes and references

  1. 1 2 3 4 Sony gets new TV leadership Annlee Ellingson bizjournals.com July 25, 2017, Retrieved on July 25, 2017
  2. ↑ Goetzl, David (June 30, 2011). "Sony Gains Control of GSN Even With Minority Stake". TVBlog. MediaPost. Retrieved June 30, 2011.
  3. 1 2 Nathan, John (2001). SONY. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. pp. 185, 186. ISBN 9780618126941.
  4. ↑ Gilbert, Tom (August 19, 2007). "Wheel of Fortune, Jeopardy!: Merv Griffin's True TV Legacy". TelevisionWeek.
  5. ↑ "Dr. Oz Undergoes a Life-Saving Colonoscopy and Receives a Surprising Diagnosis as The Dr. Oz Show Launches Its Second Season Tuesday, September 7". The Futon Critic. September 1, 2010. Retrieved February 10, 2015.
  6. ↑ "The Queen Latifah Show Posts Highest New Daytime Series Premiere of the Year". The Futon Critic. September 17, 2013. Retrieved February 10, 2015.
  7. ↑ "Shark Tank, the Exciting New Show That Gives Budding Entrepreneurs a Chance to Make Their Moneymaking Business Or Idea Come True, Premieres Sunday, August 9, on the ABC Television Network". The Futon Critic. June 8, 2009. Retrieved February 10, 2015.
  8. ↑ "NBC's New a Capella Singing Competition Series "The Sing-Off" Travels to Four Cities in Search of the Most Talented Groups in America". The Futon Critic. August 18, 2009. Retrieved February 10, 2015.
  9. ↑ "Official page for The Young and the Restless". Sony Pictures Television. Retrieved February 10, 2015.
  10. ↑ Elliott, Stuart (October 6, 2010). "Web Site to Offer Health Advice, Some of It From Marketers". New York Times. Retrieved April 2, 2011.
  11. ↑ "Dr. Mehmet Oz and Internet Entrepreneur, Jeff Arnold, Announce Sharecare Inc.,a Web 3.0 Platform, Organizing and Answering the Questions of Health". Bloomberg L.P. November 2, 2009. Retrieved April 2, 2011.
  12. ↑ Nellie Andreeva (September 28, 2015). "Steve Mosko Named Chairman Of Sony Pictures TV". Deadline.
  13. ↑ James Rainey; Cynthia Littleton (November 24, 2015). "After a Rough Film Year, Can Kevin Tsujihara Lead Warner Bros. Back to the Top?". Variety.
  14. ↑ "Remodeling at Screen Gems". Broadcasting: 39. May 6, 1974.
  15. ↑ "EBSCO Host Connection" Feltheimer heads new Columbia TriStar TV connection.ebscohost.com, Retrieved on December 18, 2012
  16. ↑ Sony Pictures Entertainment Renames Television Operations; Domestic and International Divisions Take Sony Name, prnewswire.com
  17. ↑ "PRNewswire" Sony Pictures Television International Forms First Fully Government Approved Television and Film Production Joint Venture in the People's Republic of China, prnewswire.com, Retrieved on September 30, 2012
  18. ↑ "Indiantelevision.com" Sony forms TV production JV in China, indiantelevision.com, Retrieved on September 30, 2012
  19. ↑ Jules Grant "C21Media" March 27, 2008 invests in new UK indie c21media.com, Retrieved on December 21, 2013
  20. ↑ Jessica Rogers "Broadcast UK" Sony takes stake in ex-Lion duo start-up broadcastnow.co.uk, Retrieved on December 21, 2013
  21. ↑ Emily Brookes "C21Media" June 4, 2008 Sony finalises 2waytraffic acquisition c21media.com, Retrieved on December 21, 2013
  22. ↑ ANNA MARIE DE LA FUENTE "Variety" January 28, 2009 Sony TV into Teleset variety.com, Retrieved on February 15, 2013
  23. ↑ Sony combines TV units, chollywood.org
  24. ↑ "Digital Spy" Sony agrees new TV production tie-up digitalspy.com Retrieved on April 3, 2012
  25. ↑ NELLIE ANDREEVA "Deadline" Andrea Wong Tapped As President Of Int’l Production At Sony Pictures TV & President International At Sony Pictures Entertainment deadline.com, Retrieved on October 1, 2013
  26. ↑ "Sony dives in with Dolphin". C21Media. January 19, 2012.
  27. ↑ Mark Sweney The Guardian January 19, 2012 Sony Pictures Television buys Dolphin Broadcasting to boost UK presence, Retrieved on December 22, 2013
  28. ↑ "Sony Pictures Press Releases" Sony Pictures Television and Silver River Productions join forces UK expansion for SPT International Production sonypictures.com Retrieved on April 3, 2012
  29. ↑ "Yahoo! Finance"Sony Pictures Television's Sony Movie Channel and AXN Movies to launch in Canada in partnership with Hollywood Suite.finance.yahoo.com, Retrieved on July 10, 2012
  30. ↑ "London Deadline" Sony Pictures Television Acquires UK’s Left Bank Pictures deadline.com, Retrieved on August 23, 2012
  31. ↑ "Variety" Sony Pictures TV buys stake in Left Bank variety.com, Retrieved on August 23, 2012
  32. ↑ NANCY TARTAGLIONE "Deadline" Sony Pictures Television, Simon Andreae Launch UK Production Outfit Scarlet Media deadline.com, Retrieved on August 22, 2013
  33. ↑ "Broadcast" Simon Andreae drops UK indie plans for job with Fox broadcastnow.co.uk, Retrieved on January 21, 2014
  34. ↑ Report: Tuvalu Media Buys Out Sony Pictures’ Stakes To Regain Independence Elsa Keslassy variety.com, Retrieved on April 5, 2014
  35. ↑ NANCY TARTAGLIONE "Deadline" Sony Pictures Television, Karl Warner Launch UK Production Outfit Electric Ray deadline.com, Retrieved on January 21, 2014
  36. ↑ Lisa Campbell "Broadcast" Karl Warner launches Sony-backed indie broadcastnow.co.uk, Retrieved on January 21, 2014
  37. 1 2 Sony Pictures Television Launches Northern Ireland Production Company Stellify Media NANCY TARTAGLIONE deadline.com, Retrieved on March 20, 2014
  38. ↑ "Fox Business" Sony to buy Britain's CSC media group in TV network push foxbusiness.com, Retrieved on June 26, 2014
  39. ↑ Stewart Clarke (August 15, 2014). "Sony closes CSC deal, ups Kate Marsh". TBI Vision.
  40. ↑ Daisy Goodwin exits Silver River tbivision.com November 6, 2014, Retrieved on May 24, 2016
  41. ↑ Cynthia Littleton "Variety"Sony Pictures Television Acquires Australia's Playmaker Media variety.com, Retrieved on February 8, 2015
  42. ↑ Sony Pictures Television Acquires Australia's Playmaker Media Pip Bulbeck hollywoodreporter.com, Retrieved on February 8, 2015
  43. ↑ Robert Briel (July 26, 2014). "Liberty Global willing to sell Film1". BroadbandTVNews.com.
  44. ↑ Robert Briel (March 27, 2015). "Sony buys Film1 from Liberty Global". BroadbandTVNews.com.
  45. ↑ SONY PICTURES TELEVISION CLOSES FILM1 DEAL sonypicturestelevision.com, Retrieved on July 26, 2015
  46. ↑ Nellie Andreeva "Deadline"Sony Eyes Relaunching TriStar Television Banner Run By Suzanne Patmore Gibbs deadline.com, Retrieved on May 28, 2015
  47. ↑ Steve Mosko upped to chairman of Sony Pictures Television RYAN FAUGHNDER latimes.com September 28, 2015, Retrieved on September 28, 2015
  48. ↑ Group, Andy Finney ATSF for the Digital TV. "DTG :: News :: ITV heading for strong growth, Sony to shut down Victory Television and Samsung top global TV market for 10th consecutive year : DTG Daily News March 2nd". dtg.org.uk. Retrieved January 21, 2017.
  49. ↑ Ali Jaafar "Deadline" Sony Pictures Television Takes Stake In Faye Ward’s Fable Pictures deadline.com, Retrieved on April 21, 2016
  50. ↑ Peter White. "Sony's Gogglebox Entertainment to close". m.broadcastnow.co.uk. Retrieved January 21, 2017.
  51. ↑ Ryan Faughnder, latimes.com, Retrieved on June 2, 2016
  52. ↑ Ali Jaafar (June 7, 2016). "Sony Pictures TV Acquires Stake In TV Arm of Blueprint Pictures". Deadline.com.
  53. ↑ http://deadline.com/2017/07/sony-pictures-tv-networks-acquires-majority-stake-funimation-japanese-anime-1202139652/
  54. ↑ "Sony Pictures TV To Launch Movies Diginet". TVNewsCheck. April 22, 2013. Retrieved April 24, 2013.
  55. ↑ "Sony Pictures Press Releases" Sony Pictures Television Networks to Launch US Spanish Language Entertainment Channel, Debuting on Verizon FiOS TV Cine Sony Television will launch on FiOS TV in August sonypictures.com, Retrieved on September 12, 2012
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