Mike Hopkins Exits Sony Pictures for Amazon

Mike Hopkins is departing Sony Pictures later this month to take on a new role overseeing Amazon’s video entertainment businesses, including Prime Video and Amazon Studios, reporting directly to Amazon Chairman and CEO Jeff Bezos.

Mike Hopkins has been serving as chairman of Sony Pictures Television (SPT), overseeing all television production, distribution and marketing operations globally for the studio, as well as the media networks business. Hopkins joined SPT in November 2017 after serving as CEO of Hulu.

“I want to thank Mike for his outstanding leadership since arriving at the studio in late 2017,” Tony Vinciquerra, chairman and CEO of Sony Pictures Entertainment, said in a memo to staff. “From day one he was charged with rethinking the way we run our television businesses. Under his watch, SPT has been transformed into a stronger and more nimble organization, able to pivot and change course quickly in today’s rapidly evolving entertainment landscape. As part of our ‘Reimagine’ efforts, SPT has undergone essential structural change and realignment—such as combining our networks operations with distribution/home entertainment into a new territory management model and refocusing our network portfolio. Additionally, SPT has made several significant deals on the M&A front and forged new relationships with top creators and talent. These were not small tasks and would not have been possible without the outstanding work of SPT’s excellent divisional leadership and their teams, who will continue to drive our business forward.”

Vinciquerra said that the company will be taking the opportunity of Hopkins’ departure to realign the leadership structure at SPT.

Keith LeGoy, president of worldwide distribution, will now oversee Funimation and the networks operations, programming and strategy group. Jeff Frost, president of U.S. production, will now oversee first-run television, Embassy Row and the new game-show development team run by Mike Richards. LeGoy and Frost will report directly to Vinciquerra.