Sony Pictures Television Buys Industrial Media

Sony Pictures Television (SPT) has signed an agreement to acquire Industrial Media, expanding its footprint and capabilities in nonfiction and documentary television production.

Industrial Media’s CEO and founder and CEO of IPC, Eli Holzman, will join Sony Pictures Television as president of nonfiction entertainment upon closing. Holzman’s longtime producing partner, Aaron Saidman, Industrial Media’s president and co-founder and president of IPC, will join the company as co-president of nonfiction entertainment, reporting to Holzman. In these roles, Holzman and Saidman will oversee day-to-day operations of SPT nonfiction.

Upon closing of the Industrial Media transaction, Sony Pictures will acquire a majority controlling interest in the company based on a purchase price that values the company at $350 million.

Industrial Media’s portfolio of producers includes 19 Entertainment, B17 Entertainment, House of NonFiction, Sharp Entertainment, The Intellectual Property Corporation (IPC), This Machine Filmworks, This Radicle Act and Trilogy Films. Its companies produce more than 100 programs for audiences worldwide. Titles include the 90 Day Fiancé franchise for TLC, Indian Matchmaking for Netflix, We’re Here for HBO, The Curse of Von Dutch, The D’Amelio Show for Hulu, Secrets of Playboy for A&E, Selena+Chef and Craftopia for HBO Max, So You Think You Can Dance for FOX and American Idol for ABC.

Ravi Ahuja, chairman of global television studios and SPE corporate development, to whom Holzman will report, said: “At SPT, our focus is on leadership and quality in growing areas of television, and nonfiction content makes up a significant share of TV viewing. Acquiring Industrial Media gives us scale and expertise that nicely complements our current TV production businesses. Eli, Aaron and their talented group of producers have consistently succeeded with high-quality series and documentaries. We can’t wait to get to work with them.”

Holzman and Saidman said: “This is the most exciting time in the nonfiction business with more opportunity and more content being made than at any other period in the history of the genre. At Industrial, we have assembled some of our industry’s most sought-after storytellers. And now we have partnered with a leading independent supplier to the global film and television marketplace. Our ambition in working with Tony, Ravi and the Sony Pictures Television team is to supercharge our growth, amplify our ability to attract the very best talent both in front of and behind the camera and to continue pushing the boundaries of the medium.”

Additionally, Sony Pictures Television has formed a new game-show production division, to be led by Suzanne Prete, who currently oversees Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune. In her new role as executive VP of the newly formed division, she will continue to manage both Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune and add oversight for other game shows produced by the studio.

Ahuja added: “Suzanne has done a fantastic job at Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy!, and I have every confidence in her taking on this expanded role with game shows at the studio. Holly and her team have built a respected alternative and syndicated programming business over the years, creating shows that have become part of the national Zeitgeist. We look forward to continuing to produce these important programs and creating exciting new series with Holly in the future.”