The unscripted division of Sony Pictures Television is undergoing a major shake-up.
Eli Holzman and Aaron Seidman, who have led Sony Pictures TV Nonfiction for the past four years, are leaving the studio. The live-action unit will be integrated into Sony Pictures TV Studios CEO Catherine Pope’s portfolio, SPT President Keith Le Joy wrote in a memo to employees on Wednesday.
“Over the past four years, Eli and Aaron have played a critical role in shaping and expanding our real-life portfolio,” Le Joy wrote. “Their leadership has elevated the division and strengthened our roster during a time of significant change in the industry. We are grateful for their partnership and look forward to continuing to work together in the future.” (Read the full memo below.)
Holzman and Seidman, who were prolific producers before joining Sony, are set to return to that side of the business.
Holzman and Seidman were named president and co-president of SPT Nonfiction in 2022, after Sony acquired its industrial media franchise in a $350 million deal. Before that, Holzman and Seidman led unscripted production company The Intellectual Property Corp., which merged with Core Media in 2018 to form Industrial Media.
Sony’s unscripted portfolio, which now falls under Bob’s supervision, includes: American Idol (co-produced with Fremantle), the 90 day fiance privilege, Shark tank And Fox extractoramong many other things. Production companies within SPT Nonfiction include Sharp Entertainment, Embassy Row, B17 Entertainment, 19 Entertainment, This Machine, Maxine Productions, Brass Monkeys Media, and Rebel Minds Media.
“Catherine has built an incredible track record of bringing premium content to market and building lasting partnerships with top-tier talent that have consistently placed the studio at the forefront of the industry,” Le Joy wrote in the memo. “Bringing together the brick-and-mortar business under her leadership will further align our creative processes, accelerate collaboration across teams, and enable us to unlock greater long-term value across the portfolio.”
Sony’s game display division, which includes risk! and Wheel of fortuneHe will remain under the leadership of Susan Brett.
Le Goy’s note is below.
Dear friends,
I’m writing to share an important update regarding our live-action business at Sony Pictures Television.
Eli Holzman and Aaron Seidman will transition from their roles at SPT to pursue their next entrepreneurial venture. Over the past four years, Eli and Aaron have played a critical role in shaping and expanding our real-life portfolio. Their leadership has elevated the division and strengthened our roster during a time of significant change in the industry. We are grateful for their partnership and look forward to continuing to work together in the future.
Looking to the future, Katherine Pope will expand her role as President of Sony Pictures Television Studios to include oversight of the SPT Nonfiction division, along with her leadership of our scripted and children’s businesses. Katherine has built an incredible track record of bringing premium content to market and building lasting partnerships with top-tier talent that has consistently placed the studio at the forefront of the industry. Integrating nonfiction under her leadership will further align our creative processes, accelerate collaboration between teams, and enable us to unlock greater long-term value across the portfolio.
SPT Nonfiction continues to be a dynamic and growing part of our business, with a strong portfolio that includes companies such as Sharp Entertainment, Embassy Row, B17 Entertainment, 19 Entertainment, This Machine, Maxine Productions, Brass Monkeys Media and Rebel Minds Media behind amazing series like American Idol, Shark Tank, 90 Day Fiance privilege, Watch what’s happening live, Excerpt, On Brand with Jimmy Fallon, Quiet on set, Martha, And the upcoming unscripted adaptation of an idea. Thanks to Catherine’s leadership and the strength of our creative teams, we are well positioned to build on this momentum and continue to grow the brick-and-mortar business.
We thank you for your continued dedication as we move into this next chapter together.
Keith
Delivery time I reported the news for the first time.
