Sony Buys Majority Holding in Silver River Productions

LONDON: Building out its international production business, Sony Pictures Television has purchased a majority stake in the U.K. indie Silver River Productions, which develops content across a range of genres, from factual to comedy to drama.

Silver River’s slate currently includes the prime-time programs The Town That Never Retired (BBC One), Antiques Uncovered (BBC Two), Sergeant On Spike (ITV1), Elizabeth Taylor: The Queen of Diamonds (Channel 4) and Restoration Women (BBC Four). SPT’s distribution arm will represent Silver River programs and formats internationally. Daisy Goodwin will continue to lead Silver River as its president. She now reports to Andrea Wong, SPT’s president of international production.

Wong commented: "I’ve known and admired Daisy for several years and I’m so happy to now have the chance to work closely with her and with her team. Their proven ambition and achievements are the perfect fit for our production network, where creativity and talent are the essential drivers in everything we do. I’m thrilled to welcome Silver River to our international team."

Goodwin added, "Sony has a really alluring mix of great shows and real ambition. I know that working with Andrea and her team we will be bringing Silver River’s distinctive blend of originality and entertainment to the widest possible audience, and I am looking forward to bringing their best properties to the U.K. market."