Sony Pictures Buys Michael Davies’ Production Company

CULVER CITY, January 14: In a move to expand its non-fiction programming output, Sony Pictures Television has acquired Michael Davies’ outfit, Embassy Row.

Davies is best known for bringing Who Wants to be a Millionaire? to the U.S. The deal brings him into the Sony fold, with Embassy Row continuing to bring formats to the U.S., as well as creating new ideas and looking for opportunities within the Sony library.

Embassy Row will remain intact in its two New York offices, led by Davies and a new executive team headed by Tammy Johnston, Michael Erlinger and Jen Kelly. Stephanie Masarsky will continue to run Embassy Row’s digital business. Davies will focus on creating and producing new formats, and will work with Madelene Hansson, the VP of international development and acquisitions, to look for ideas globally. The company is currently in production on two television series with Sony: The Newlywed Game for GSN and Make My Day, a hidden-camera comedy format from the U.K., for TV Land.

"Michael is an incredibly savvy producer who was an architect of the alternative series business," said Steve Mosko, the president of Sony Pictures Television. "He has a unique understanding of formats and how to make these shows work in network, cable and syndication."

"Embassy Row has enjoyed its three best and most profitable years ever under our overall deal with SPT," said Davies. "Steve Mosko, Zack Van Amburg, Jamie Erlicht, Holly Jacobs and everyone at Sony have been excellent partners so naturally, we are delighted to become a full member of the Sony family. We are fully committed to growing our television and digital businesses at the studio."

—By Mansha Daswani