On May 23, 2024, Sony Group Corp. held its Sony Group Management Policy Briefing, where it announced plans to boost its animation business by leveraging advanced technologies, including newly-developed animation-creation software and artificial intelligence.
Sony aims to expand through its existing subsidiaries, Aniplex and U.S.-based animation distributor Crunchyroll LLC, positioning the anime business as a major revenue source alongside its established sectors of games, music, and movies.
Sony President, COO & CFO, Hiroki Totoko pointed out that Crunchyroll is one of the fastest-growing and most profitable areas within the film division of the company.
In the briefing, the Tokyo-based electronics and entertainment giant highlighted the potential of AI to increase production efficiency and improve the quality of its animated titles.
This news comes on the back of Japan investing heavily in a startup which would use AI translations to boost the export of manga.
While they didn’t reveal finer details...
Sony aims to expand through its existing subsidiaries, Aniplex and U.S.-based animation distributor Crunchyroll LLC, positioning the anime business as a major revenue source alongside its established sectors of games, music, and movies.
Sony President, COO & CFO, Hiroki Totoko pointed out that Crunchyroll is one of the fastest-growing and most profitable areas within the film division of the company.
In the briefing, the Tokyo-based electronics and entertainment giant highlighted the potential of AI to increase production efficiency and improve the quality of its animated titles.
This news comes on the back of Japan investing heavily in a startup which would use AI translations to boost the export of manga.
While they didn’t reveal finer details...
- 5/23/2024
- by A.R. Madillo
- AnimeHunch
A big-screen adaptation of The Legend of Zelda is on the way. Nintendo is working with Sony Pictures Entertainment on the new Zelda project, following the $1 billion success of Universal’s The Super Mario Bros. Movie adaptation.
Sony will distribute the live-action flick, which will be helmed by Wes Ball, the man behind the Maze Runner trilogy. But did you know that way back in 2010, a tweet from the director showed off his amiable disposition when he admitted to not even harboring the hope that he’d spearhead the direction of a project as epic as The Legend of Zelda?
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (Credit: Nintendo)
That being said, now that he is attached to the project as director, his “hope” is granted, and we can be confident that the eagerly anticipated live-action will live up to the hype.
Unearthing Wes Ball’s Decade-Old Tweet & the...
Sony will distribute the live-action flick, which will be helmed by Wes Ball, the man behind the Maze Runner trilogy. But did you know that way back in 2010, a tweet from the director showed off his amiable disposition when he admitted to not even harboring the hope that he’d spearhead the direction of a project as epic as The Legend of Zelda?
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (Credit: Nintendo)
That being said, now that he is attached to the project as director, his “hope” is granted, and we can be confident that the eagerly anticipated live-action will live up to the hype.
Unearthing Wes Ball’s Decade-Old Tweet & the...
- 5/3/2024
- by Siddhika Prajapati
- FandomWire
Jujutsu Kaisen won Anime of the Year at the eighth annual Crunchyroll Anime Awards, which were handed out Saturday in Tokyo.
From left: Sony’s Sanford Panitch and Keith Le Goy, Crunchyroll’s Rahul Purini and Sony’s Kenichiro Yoshida
The Japanese manga series, which debuted in 2018, also won Best Action of the Year, dominated this year’s event, also winning Best Cinematography, Best Character Design, Best Director, Best Supporting Actor, Best Opening and Best Ending Sequences, plus three additional awards for Best Voice Actors in different languages.
Other winners included Demon Slayer (Kimetsu no Yaiba Swordsmith Village Arc), which collected three awards including Best Animation and Best Art Direction.
See the complete winners list below.
Celebrating the best and brightest in anime, the 2024 Anime Awards drew a record-breaking 34million votes from fans in 200 countries and territories, Crunchyroll said.
Here are the winners of the 2024 Anime Awards:
Anime of the...
From left: Sony’s Sanford Panitch and Keith Le Goy, Crunchyroll’s Rahul Purini and Sony’s Kenichiro Yoshida
The Japanese manga series, which debuted in 2018, also won Best Action of the Year, dominated this year’s event, also winning Best Cinematography, Best Character Design, Best Director, Best Supporting Actor, Best Opening and Best Ending Sequences, plus three additional awards for Best Voice Actors in different languages.
Other winners included Demon Slayer (Kimetsu no Yaiba Swordsmith Village Arc), which collected three awards including Best Animation and Best Art Direction.
See the complete winners list below.
Celebrating the best and brightest in anime, the 2024 Anime Awards drew a record-breaking 34million votes from fans in 200 countries and territories, Crunchyroll said.
Here are the winners of the 2024 Anime Awards:
Anime of the...
- 3/2/2024
- by Erik Pedersen and Caroline Frost
- Deadline Film + TV
Sony Pictures chief communications officer Robert Lawson is being promoted to lead comms for all of Sony Group Corp.
In his new role as senior VP of corporate communications, Lawson will report to Sgc CEO Kenichiro Yoshida, and will be based in Tokyo.
In a note to Sony Pictures staff Wednesday evening, Spe CEO Tony Vinciquerra praised Lawson’s “invaluable strategic advice and counsel at a time of extraordinary change at Spe and throughout our entire industry.”
“Bob has always maintained a strong, collaborative working relationship with Sgc leadership and across our Sony sister companies, so this promotion is hardly surprising,” Vinciquerra added. “And his appointment to the Sgc leadership team reflects the growing importance of the US-based entertainment companies to Sgc’s overall business.”
Lawson starts in his new role April 1, though he will remain in L.A. for at least a few months as Spe transitions to new comms leadership.
In his new role as senior VP of corporate communications, Lawson will report to Sgc CEO Kenichiro Yoshida, and will be based in Tokyo.
In a note to Sony Pictures staff Wednesday evening, Spe CEO Tony Vinciquerra praised Lawson’s “invaluable strategic advice and counsel at a time of extraordinary change at Spe and throughout our entire industry.”
“Bob has always maintained a strong, collaborative working relationship with Sgc leadership and across our Sony sister companies, so this promotion is hardly surprising,” Vinciquerra added. “And his appointment to the Sgc leadership team reflects the growing importance of the US-based entertainment companies to Sgc’s overall business.”
Lawson starts in his new role April 1, though he will remain in L.A. for at least a few months as Spe transitions to new comms leadership.
- 2/22/2024
- by Alex Weprin
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Sony Pictures Entertainment communications chief Robert Lawson has been promoted to head of all corporate communications for its Tokyo-based parent Sony.
The choice to move Lawson, who joined Sony amid the infamous cyber attack and email leaks at the entertainment group in 2014, into the top corp comms role is indicative of Sony’s significant focus on its entertainment divisions within the company’s larger portfolio; movies, music and gaming accounts for more than half of Sony’s revenue and profit. Tapping Lawson also gives Sony’s corporate team in Japan stronger ties to the US-based divisions.
He will begin his new role April 1, reporting directly to Sony Group chairman and CEO Kenichiro Yoshida, but remain LA-based and part-time as head of Spe comms for the next few months as the company transitions and names a successor.
Lawson was named chief communications officer of Sony Pictures Entertainment in summer 2015. He soon...
The choice to move Lawson, who joined Sony amid the infamous cyber attack and email leaks at the entertainment group in 2014, into the top corp comms role is indicative of Sony’s significant focus on its entertainment divisions within the company’s larger portfolio; movies, music and gaming accounts for more than half of Sony’s revenue and profit. Tapping Lawson also gives Sony’s corporate team in Japan stronger ties to the US-based divisions.
He will begin his new role April 1, reporting directly to Sony Group chairman and CEO Kenichiro Yoshida, but remain LA-based and part-time as head of Spe comms for the next few months as the company transitions and names a successor.
Lawson was named chief communications officer of Sony Pictures Entertainment in summer 2015. He soon...
- 2/22/2024
- by Jennifer Maas
- Variety Film + TV
Sony Pictures Entertainment’s Chief Communications Officer Robert Lawson is being upped to SVP, Corporate Communications for the entire Sony Group. The new job will bring Lawson, a nine-year vet of the Culver City lot who was a key consigliere during the 2014 cyber-attack, to Sony HQ in Tokyo, Japan, reporting to Sony Group Corp Chairman and CEO Kenichiro Yoshida.
Scroll down to read the news which was just made official to internal staff by Sony Pictures Entertainment Chairman and CEO, Tony Vinciquerra.
Lawson’s successor will be named in the next few months. He’ll remain in Culver City for the next few months before heading to Japan. Lawson’s segue to the leadership team reflects the importance Sony is putting on its entertainment companies which rep 60% of the conglom’s overall profits. Big Sony wants the Tokyo HQ leadership team to reflect the global nature of...
Scroll down to read the news which was just made official to internal staff by Sony Pictures Entertainment Chairman and CEO, Tony Vinciquerra.
Lawson’s successor will be named in the next few months. He’ll remain in Culver City for the next few months before heading to Japan. Lawson’s segue to the leadership team reflects the importance Sony is putting on its entertainment companies which rep 60% of the conglom’s overall profits. Big Sony wants the Tokyo HQ leadership team to reflect the global nature of...
- 2/22/2024
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Voting is open now through Saturday, Jan. 27 and viewers can stream select nominees for free through March 2.
With the Golden Globes and Emmy Awards already behind us and the Academy Award nominations being announced on Tuesday, Jan. 23, we are firmly entrenched in the middle of awards season. This week, the world’s leading anime streaming service Crunchyroll released the nominees for the eighth annual Anime Awards. The winners will be announced during a live ceremony on Saturday, March 2 that will be livestreamed on the platform in a ceremony hosted by voice actress Sally Amaki and entertainer Jon Kabira. Voting is now open through Saturday, Jan. 27 at 11:59 p.m. Pt, anime fans are able to vote on Crunchyroll's website.
The eighth annual Anime Awards will stream on Crunchyroll on March 2 and voting will be open through Jan. 27. The first round of presenters has been announced, including Megan Thee Stallion and Iman Vellani.
With the Golden Globes and Emmy Awards already behind us and the Academy Award nominations being announced on Tuesday, Jan. 23, we are firmly entrenched in the middle of awards season. This week, the world’s leading anime streaming service Crunchyroll released the nominees for the eighth annual Anime Awards. The winners will be announced during a live ceremony on Saturday, March 2 that will be livestreamed on the platform in a ceremony hosted by voice actress Sally Amaki and entertainer Jon Kabira. Voting is now open through Saturday, Jan. 27 at 11:59 p.m. Pt, anime fans are able to vote on Crunchyroll's website.
The eighth annual Anime Awards will stream on Crunchyroll on March 2 and voting will be open through Jan. 27. The first round of presenters has been announced, including Megan Thee Stallion and Iman Vellani.
- 1/18/2024
- by Matt Tamanini
- The Streamable
Sony Group Corporation and Sony Interactive Entertainment (Sie) today announced that Sie President and CEO Jim Ryan has made the decision to retire in March 2024 after almost 30 years with the PlayStation business.
Sony Group Corporation President, COO and CFO Hiroki Totoki will assume the role of chairman of Sie effective October 2023. Effective April 1, 2024, Totoki will be appointed Interim CEO of Sie while he continues his current role at Sony Group Corporation.
Totoki will work closely with Sony Group Corporation Chairman and CEO Kenichiro Yoshida and the management team of Sie to help define the next chapter of PlayStation’s future, including the succession of the Sie CEO role.
Jim Ryan joined Sony Interactive Entertainment’s Europe-based legal entity, Sony Interactive Entertainment Europe (Siee) — which was then Sony Computer Entertainment Europe — in 1994. Since then, he has held a number of senior positions at the company, including President of Siee, Head of...
Sony Group Corporation President, COO and CFO Hiroki Totoki will assume the role of chairman of Sie effective October 2023. Effective April 1, 2024, Totoki will be appointed Interim CEO of Sie while he continues his current role at Sony Group Corporation.
Totoki will work closely with Sony Group Corporation Chairman and CEO Kenichiro Yoshida and the management team of Sie to help define the next chapter of PlayStation’s future, including the succession of the Sie CEO role.
Jim Ryan joined Sony Interactive Entertainment’s Europe-based legal entity, Sony Interactive Entertainment Europe (Siee) — which was then Sony Computer Entertainment Europe — in 1994. Since then, he has held a number of senior positions at the company, including President of Siee, Head of...
- 9/28/2023
- by Bruce Haring
- Deadline Film + TV
Update: The Federal Trade Commission is appealing a federal judge’s ruling that clears the way for Microsoft to complete its $69 billion merger with Activision.
The FTC filed a notice of appeal in the federal court on Wednesday.
U.S. District Judge Jacqueline Scott Corley largely rejected the government’s arguments against the Microsoft-Activision deal, including that it would lead to the combined company withholding popular titles like Call of Duty from rivals.
The deal still faces opposition from UK regulators, but Microsoft and Activision are looking at modifying the terms of their combination to appease concerns.
The merger proposal has a July 18 termination date.
The ruling was a setback to FTC chairwoman Lina Khan, who has tried to take a harder line against corporate consolidation in tech and other industries. She is scheduled to testify on Thursday at an oversight hearing before the House Judiciary Committee.
Previously, July 11:...
The FTC filed a notice of appeal in the federal court on Wednesday.
U.S. District Judge Jacqueline Scott Corley largely rejected the government’s arguments against the Microsoft-Activision deal, including that it would lead to the combined company withholding popular titles like Call of Duty from rivals.
The deal still faces opposition from UK regulators, but Microsoft and Activision are looking at modifying the terms of their combination to appease concerns.
The merger proposal has a July 18 termination date.
The ruling was a setback to FTC chairwoman Lina Khan, who has tried to take a harder line against corporate consolidation in tech and other industries. She is scheduled to testify on Thursday at an oversight hearing before the House Judiciary Committee.
Previously, July 11:...
- 7/12/2023
- by Ted Johnson
- Deadline Film + TV
Operating income at Sony Pictures Entertainment fell by 45 percent or $1.04 billion to $894 million, as sales fell by $851 million on the back of a lack of blockbuster theatrical hits and one off gains logged in fiscal 2021. Sales grew by 11 percent on a yen basis due to the strength of the dollar against the Japanese currency.
The previous year had been boosted by the runaway success of Spider-Man: No Way Home and Venom: Let There Be Carnage, as well as the $1 billion sale of Gsn Games and a $500 million licensing deal for Seinfeld to Netflix.
In the fourth quarter, January to March, the film unit saw profit up slightly over the same period the previous year to $119 million. Sony’s fourth-quarter film sales came in at $2.71 billion.
New CEO Hiroki Totoki, who took over from Kenichiro Yoshida on April 1, said that paid subscribers to the anime streaming platform Crunchyroll had topped 10 million.
The previous year had been boosted by the runaway success of Spider-Man: No Way Home and Venom: Let There Be Carnage, as well as the $1 billion sale of Gsn Games and a $500 million licensing deal for Seinfeld to Netflix.
In the fourth quarter, January to March, the film unit saw profit up slightly over the same period the previous year to $119 million. Sony’s fourth-quarter film sales came in at $2.71 billion.
New CEO Hiroki Totoki, who took over from Kenichiro Yoshida on April 1, said that paid subscribers to the anime streaming platform Crunchyroll had topped 10 million.
- 4/28/2023
- by Gavin J Blair
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Sony Group Corp. CFO Hiroki Totoki, who is set to succeed Kenichiro Yoshida as group president on April 1, outlined his evolving corporate strategy for the Japanese tech and entertainment giant on Monday.
“I’m very much obsessed with growth. It’s very important for any company to get growth to maintain people’s motivation and maintain the customer,” Totoki told the Morgan Stanley Technology, Media & Telecom Conference.
He added that, as Sony’s financial chief, “I always take care of two key metrics. Number one is growth and number two is the profit margin. And, as a CFO, I always focused on these two important metrics. If they go in the right way, the other metrics will take care of themselves. And that’s my simple philosophy.”
As Totoki takes on new duties as Sony’s global operations overseer, including COO, at the beginning of the next fiscal year, Yoshida...
“I’m very much obsessed with growth. It’s very important for any company to get growth to maintain people’s motivation and maintain the customer,” Totoki told the Morgan Stanley Technology, Media & Telecom Conference.
He added that, as Sony’s financial chief, “I always take care of two key metrics. Number one is growth and number two is the profit margin. And, as a CFO, I always focused on these two important metrics. If they go in the right way, the other metrics will take care of themselves. And that’s my simple philosophy.”
As Totoki takes on new duties as Sony’s global operations overseer, including COO, at the beginning of the next fiscal year, Yoshida...
- 3/6/2023
- by Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Sony Pictures Entertainment recorded 179 million in operating income for the third quarter ended December 31, 2022. That figure reps an 86 decrease on a dollar basis versus the same period last year, though it’s tough to compare apples to apples here since Q3 2021 had a massive assist from the phenomenal global box office performance of Spider-Man: No Way Home along with the success of Venom: Let There Be Carnage.
Also cited as culprits for the swing were lower revenues for television productions versus Q3 2021 which benefited from the licensing of Seinfeld and the absence of a gain from the transfer of Gsn Games business in Q3 2021. The full-year forecast for the segment remains unchanged from Sony’s last earnings report, with 115 billion yen (893.7 million) in profits expected for fiscal year 2023.
Reporting overall Q3 earnings from Tokyo this afternoon local time, Sony Corp also announced a change to its group management structure with...
Also cited as culprits for the swing were lower revenues for television productions versus Q3 2021 which benefited from the licensing of Seinfeld and the absence of a gain from the transfer of Gsn Games business in Q3 2021. The full-year forecast for the segment remains unchanged from Sony’s last earnings report, with 115 billion yen (893.7 million) in profits expected for fiscal year 2023.
Reporting overall Q3 earnings from Tokyo this afternoon local time, Sony Corp also announced a change to its group management structure with...
- 2/2/2023
- by Nancy Tartaglione
- Deadline Film + TV
Sony Pictures’ operating income for its fiscal third quarter ending December fell to 179 million, down 86 percent from 1.31 billion in the same period the previous year, hit by the lack of major theatrical hits and lower revenue from television licensing.
Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile was the Sony unit’s biggest earner with 96 million, followed by Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical and Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance With Somebody, both logging 25 million.
The same quarter in 2021 had seen the release of Spider-Man: No Way Home and Venom: Let There Be Carnage, along with the sale of Gsn Games and the licensing deal for Seinfeld, delivering the film unit its best-ever results.
Quarterly revenue at the pictures division fell 42 percent to 2.35 billion from 4.06 billion, despite contributions from the acquisitions of Bad Wolf and Industrial Media, the company said in Tokyo on Thursday.
Sony Pictures’ profit forecast for the full fiscal year ending in...
Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile was the Sony unit’s biggest earner with 96 million, followed by Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical and Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance With Somebody, both logging 25 million.
The same quarter in 2021 had seen the release of Spider-Man: No Way Home and Venom: Let There Be Carnage, along with the sale of Gsn Games and the licensing deal for Seinfeld, delivering the film unit its best-ever results.
Quarterly revenue at the pictures division fell 42 percent to 2.35 billion from 4.06 billion, despite contributions from the acquisitions of Bad Wolf and Industrial Media, the company said in Tokyo on Thursday.
Sony Pictures’ profit forecast for the full fiscal year ending in...
- 2/2/2023
- by Gavin J Blair
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Spy x Family leads the field with 19 nominations for Crunchyroll’s seventh annual Anime Awards, which be handed out in March. Ranking of Kings is next with 16, spread across two seasons, followed by Cyberpunk: Edgerunners with 13 noms, which were revealed today. See the full list below.
All three series will vie for the marquee Anime of the Year prize against Attack on Titan Final Season Part 2, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Entertainment District Arc and Lycoris Recoil. All of those except Lycoris Recoil also are up for Best Animation, joined by Akebi’s Sailor Uniform.
A pair of 2022 box office hits — the No. 1-debuting Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero and No. 2-bowing One Piece Film Red — will battle for Best Film against Bubble, Jujutsu Kaisen 0, The Deer King and Inu-Oh, which is up for Best Indie Feature at the Annie Awards.
The awards, which honor anime creators, musicians...
All three series will vie for the marquee Anime of the Year prize against Attack on Titan Final Season Part 2, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Entertainment District Arc and Lycoris Recoil. All of those except Lycoris Recoil also are up for Best Animation, joined by Akebi’s Sailor Uniform.
A pair of 2022 box office hits — the No. 1-debuting Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero and No. 2-bowing One Piece Film Red — will battle for Best Film against Bubble, Jujutsu Kaisen 0, The Deer King and Inu-Oh, which is up for Best Indie Feature at the Annie Awards.
The awards, which honor anime creators, musicians...
- 1/19/2023
- by Erik Pedersen
- Deadline Film + TV
Tokyo, Oct 13 (Ians) Sony Group and Honda Motor on Thursday announced the delivery of their first EVs from their joint new company in the US in 2026, and the pre-orders will begin in 2025.
According to Nikkei Asia, the new electric vehicles will provide music, and other connectivity features, along with driving performance and safety.
The electric cars will then go on sale in Japan in 2026, and then in Europe.
In June, Sony and Honda joined hands to establish a new company that will engage in the sale of EVs and provide services for mobility.
The new company, which is named Sony Honda Mobility, will aim to bring together the expertise of Honda and Sony.
“Based on our vision to ‘make the mobility space an emotional one’, Sony’s initiatives in the mobility business are centred around the three areas of safety, entertainment and adaptability,” Kenichiro Yoshida, Representative Corporate Executive Officer, Chairman,...
According to Nikkei Asia, the new electric vehicles will provide music, and other connectivity features, along with driving performance and safety.
The electric cars will then go on sale in Japan in 2026, and then in Europe.
In June, Sony and Honda joined hands to establish a new company that will engage in the sale of EVs and provide services for mobility.
The new company, which is named Sony Honda Mobility, will aim to bring together the expertise of Honda and Sony.
“Based on our vision to ‘make the mobility space an emotional one’, Sony’s initiatives in the mobility business are centred around the three areas of safety, entertainment and adaptability,” Kenichiro Yoshida, Representative Corporate Executive Officer, Chairman,...
- 10/16/2022
- by Glamsham Bureau
- GlamSham
Sony Pictures Entertainment (Spe) today announced the establishment of its first LED virtual production stage, located at Sony Innovation Studios in Culver City.
With LED virtual production transforming the way film and television are made, the new stage is the world’s largest using Sony’s high brightness and wide color gamut Crystal LED display panels.
The panels were created in collaboration with top engineers at Spe for use in virtual production.
The establishment of this LED stage allows Sony Innovation Studios (Sis) to expand its virtual production workflow across various entertainment platforms and seamlessly merge the real and virtual worlds with its Atom View technology and proprietary stage-integration software.
First conceived in 2018, the team is hoping to push the boundaries of entertainment technology further than ever before.
Masaki Nakayama, Senior Vice President and Head of Sony Innovation Studios said, “Our new LED stage is a milestone to further enhance our technology.
With LED virtual production transforming the way film and television are made, the new stage is the world’s largest using Sony’s high brightness and wide color gamut Crystal LED display panels.
The panels were created in collaboration with top engineers at Spe for use in virtual production.
The establishment of this LED stage allows Sony Innovation Studios (Sis) to expand its virtual production workflow across various entertainment platforms and seamlessly merge the real and virtual worlds with its Atom View technology and proprietary stage-integration software.
First conceived in 2018, the team is hoping to push the boundaries of entertainment technology further than ever before.
Masaki Nakayama, Senior Vice President and Head of Sony Innovation Studios said, “Our new LED stage is a milestone to further enhance our technology.
- 10/6/2022
- by Jazz Tangcay
- Variety Film + TV
Continuing the ongoing crush of gaming M&a, Sony Interactive Entertainment said it’s agreed to buy Bungie, an independent videogame developer and longtime Sony partner behind the Halo and Destiny franchises, for $3.6 billion.
The acquisition will give Sie access to Bungie’s live game services and technology expertise, furthering Sie’s vision to reach billions of players. Bungie, based in Bellevue, Wa and with more than 900 employees, will continue to operate independently.
The Bungie team is currently focused on the long-term development of Destiny 2, further expanding the Destiny universe, and creating future IP.
The gaming space has been incredibly active, with major recent deals including Microsoft’s purchase of Activision for $68.7 billion and Take-Two Interactive acquiring Zynga for $12.7 billion.
“Bungie has created and continues to evolve some of the world’s most beloved videogame franchises and, by aligning its values with people’s desire to share gameplay experiences, they...
The acquisition will give Sie access to Bungie’s live game services and technology expertise, furthering Sie’s vision to reach billions of players. Bungie, based in Bellevue, Wa and with more than 900 employees, will continue to operate independently.
The Bungie team is currently focused on the long-term development of Destiny 2, further expanding the Destiny universe, and creating future IP.
The gaming space has been incredibly active, with major recent deals including Microsoft’s purchase of Activision for $68.7 billion and Take-Two Interactive acquiring Zynga for $12.7 billion.
“Bungie has created and continues to evolve some of the world’s most beloved videogame franchises and, by aligning its values with people’s desire to share gameplay experiences, they...
- 1/31/2022
- by Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
For more than 30 years, Sony Corp. has faced speculation about its long-term commitment to entertainment.
But under the leadership of chief executive Kenichiro Yoshida, the company has been in entertainment-acquisition mode, notably with its $1.2 billion purchase of anime streaming platform Crunchyroll in August and the takeover of India’s Zee Entertainment last month. The hunt for assets to build up Sony’s IP vault, content production capabilities and niche direct-to-consumer offerings will only continue.
“Entertainment is Sony’s DNA,” Yoshida told Variety in a lengthy virtual interview in mid-December from Sony’s headquarters as he sat in front of a large framed poster for “Spider-Man: No Way Home,” the Sony Pictures title that enjoyed a massive worldwide box office debut a few days later. Yoshida is set to detail Sony Corp.’s long-term vision and technology priorities Tuesday night at the company’s annual presentation held at the Consumer Electronics Show conference,...
But under the leadership of chief executive Kenichiro Yoshida, the company has been in entertainment-acquisition mode, notably with its $1.2 billion purchase of anime streaming platform Crunchyroll in August and the takeover of India’s Zee Entertainment last month. The hunt for assets to build up Sony’s IP vault, content production capabilities and niche direct-to-consumer offerings will only continue.
“Entertainment is Sony’s DNA,” Yoshida told Variety in a lengthy virtual interview in mid-December from Sony’s headquarters as he sat in front of a large framed poster for “Spider-Man: No Way Home,” the Sony Pictures title that enjoyed a massive worldwide box office debut a few days later. Yoshida is set to detail Sony Corp.’s long-term vision and technology priorities Tuesday night at the company’s annual presentation held at the Consumer Electronics Show conference,...
- 1/4/2022
- by Cynthia Littleton
- Variety Film + TV
As Democratic leadership tries to unite its progressive and moderate wings, a group of 80-plus artists, celebrities and activists called on the leaders of Google, Disney, Amazon, Fox, Facebook and more to urge Congress to support President Biden’s Biden’s Build Back Better plan.
Boldfaced signatories to the group letter included J.J. Abrams, Greg Berlanti, Cate Blanchett, Jack Antonoff, Don Cheadle, Ellen DeGeneres, Selena Gomez, Chris Evans, Jimmy Kimmel, Lady Gaga, John Legend, Chuck Lorre, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Sean Penn, Joaquin Phoenix, Billy Porter, Robert Redford, Ryan Reynolds, Shakira, Barbra Streisand, Wes Studi, Justin Timberlake, Kerry Washington and many more. The full list of names is below.
The effort was spearheaded by the National Resources Defense Council Action Fund and actress/singer Camila Cabello, who convinced the sizable group of A-listers to speak out, specifically about the need to address climate change.
Manish Bapna, President and CEO of the Nrdc Action Fund said, “These are the tastemakers of our time—and in moments like these they have an opportunity to be the changemakers, too. What started as an idea by Camila Cabello has exploded into a clarion call from entertainers overnight to take action. Congress holds in its hands our best chance at combating our biggest environmental challenge yet. We need all hands on deck to make sure they seize it, and these industry leaders can play a critical role in making sure that they do.”
In today’s initiative, the artists call out the following execs by name: Lincoln Benet at Access Industries (Warner Music Group), Sundar Pichai at Alphabet, Andy Jassy at Amazon, Tim Cook at Apple, John Stankey at AT&T (WarnerMedia), Brian Roberts at Comcast, David Zaslav at Discovery (and soon Warner Bros. Discovery), Mark Zuckerberg at Facebook, Lachlan Murdoch at Fox, Reed Hastings at Netflix, Kenichiro Yoshida at Sony, Robert Bakish at ViacomCBS, Arnaud de Puyfontaine at Vivendi (Universal Music Group) and Bob Chapek at Walt Disney.
The letter says, in part:
As the top leaders of the entertainment industry—one of the nation’s most powerful and influential business sectors—you are needed to lead our community’s call for action and embrace this vision for a better world. The entertainment community has a long, proud tradition of driving societal change. Our industry is already leading the charge toward more sustainable practices within our own businesses and productions. Now is the time to use your influence to shape our future.”
Congress needs to hear you demand, unequivocally, that it put forward and pass the most ambitious climate change agenda in U.S. history.
“It’s no secret that climate change is here and is already affecting people’s lives across the globe,” wrote Cabello in her post on Instagram about the effort. “We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to act boldly to fight the climate crisis, so I am honored to join over 60 fellow artists to call on leaders of the entertainment industry to use their power and demand that Congress pass @potus’s #BuildBackBetter agenda this fall.”
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A post shared by camila (@camila_cabello)
The standard was taken up by longtime environmental champion DiCaprio, who tweeted to his 19 million followers, “This fall, Congress has a rare opportunity to invest in a clean, just, and equitable future by passing the Build Back Better agenda. This is our moment, and there is no time to waste. Join us and @NRDC_AF…”
This fall, Congress has a rare opportunity to invest in a clean, just, and equitable future by passing the Build Back Better agenda. This is our moment, and there is no time to waste. Join us and @NRDC_AF by texting Climate Now to 21333 to demand Congress take action. pic.twitter.com/7Ivx6ElCpG
— Leonardo DiCaprio (@LeoDiCaprio) September 23, 2021
Julia Louis-Dreyfus, who is an Nrdc board member, said the following in a statement: “People are seeing the impacts of climate change first-hand, from climate-fueled wildfires, to floods and storms,” said . “We cannot wait longer to act and we must use our voices to demand that our government leaders pass President Biden’s Build Back Better agenda.”
The full text of the letter and a list of its signatories are below.
Dear Entertainment Industry Executives:
Climate change has arrived on our doorstep: California is on fire, record-breaking and deadly storms are flooding New York City, hurricanes are devastating the Gulf. This summer alone, nearly one in every three people in the United States experienced an extreme weather event.
Scientists warn that if we fail to act now, every single one of us will feel the impacts, a billion people will be displaced, and low-income people and communities of color will continue to be hit first and worst. Right now, we have a critical window of opportunity to do something about it. And we need all hands on deck to demand that our leaders protect the people we love and the places they live before it’s too late.
Congress has a once-in-a-generation opportunity to invest in a clean, just, and equitable future for all by passing the robust climate action that President Biden called for in his Build Back Better agenda. This legislation will create healthier communities, put millions to work in clean energy jobs, and free us from the fossil fuels that are driving climate change.
As the top leaders of the entertainment industry—one of the nation’s most powerful and influential business sectors—you are needed to lead our community’s call for action and embrace this vision for a better world. The entertainment community has a long, proud tradition of driving societal change. Our industry is already leading the charge toward more sustainable practices within our own businesses and productions. Now is the time to use your influence to shape our future.
Congress needs to hear you demand, unequivocally, that it put forward and pass the most ambitious climate change agenda in U.S. history.
The plan currently before Congress will protect people’s health and clean up our drinking water. It will create a just transition away from dirty fossil fuels and create millions of new jobs. It will protect communities from climate change through investments in clean energy, clean transportation, and infrastructure upgrades. And it will make sure we finally prioritize and invest in the low-income communities and communities of color that are hit hardest by both fossil fuel pollution and climate impacts.
This plan will create a stronger, brighter, and more just America—and we need you to help make this vision a reality.
At this pivotal moment, please lead the call. Demand publicly and loudly that our senators and representatives in Congress pass this critical legislation.
And we pledge to do our part as well. We will use our platforms to remind all Americans: Tell your senators and representatives in Congress that you demand climate action now. Advocate for Congress to take up the president’s climate agenda. And don’t stop there. Tweet. Post. E-mail. Call. Whatever it takes.
Sincerely,
J.J. Abrams
Anitta
Jack Antonoff
Troian Bellisario
Greg Berlanti
Cate Blanchett
Benny Blanco
Dave Burd aka “Lil Dicky”
Camila Cabello
Dove Cameron
Alessia Cara
Don Cheadle
Glenn Close
Coldplay
Jacob Collier
Lily Collins
James Corden
Ellen DeGeneres
Cara Delevingne
Leonardo DiCaprio
Zac Efron
Billie Eilish
Chris Evans
Jimmy Fallon
Finneas
Selena Gomez
Conan Gray
Grimes
Todrick Hall
Hugh Jackman
Jimmy Kimmel
Joey King
Liza Koshy
Lady Gaga
Cyndi Lauper
John Legend
Adam Levine
Kevin Liles
Dua Lipa
Lorde
Chuck Lorre
Julia Louis-Dreyfus
Demi Lovato
Ziggy Marley
Shawn Mendes
Idina Menzel
Lin-Manuel Miranda
Sean Penn
Joaquin Phoenix
Billy Porter
Zachary Quinto
Addison Rae
Robert Redford
Ryan Reynolds
Mark Ronson
Kyra Sedgwick
Shakira
Lilly Singh
Troye Sivan
Barbra Streisand
Wes Studi
Ryan Tedder
Justin Timberlake
Kerry Washington
Sigourney Weaver
Shailene Woodley
Calum Worthy...
Boldfaced signatories to the group letter included J.J. Abrams, Greg Berlanti, Cate Blanchett, Jack Antonoff, Don Cheadle, Ellen DeGeneres, Selena Gomez, Chris Evans, Jimmy Kimmel, Lady Gaga, John Legend, Chuck Lorre, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Sean Penn, Joaquin Phoenix, Billy Porter, Robert Redford, Ryan Reynolds, Shakira, Barbra Streisand, Wes Studi, Justin Timberlake, Kerry Washington and many more. The full list of names is below.
The effort was spearheaded by the National Resources Defense Council Action Fund and actress/singer Camila Cabello, who convinced the sizable group of A-listers to speak out, specifically about the need to address climate change.
Manish Bapna, President and CEO of the Nrdc Action Fund said, “These are the tastemakers of our time—and in moments like these they have an opportunity to be the changemakers, too. What started as an idea by Camila Cabello has exploded into a clarion call from entertainers overnight to take action. Congress holds in its hands our best chance at combating our biggest environmental challenge yet. We need all hands on deck to make sure they seize it, and these industry leaders can play a critical role in making sure that they do.”
In today’s initiative, the artists call out the following execs by name: Lincoln Benet at Access Industries (Warner Music Group), Sundar Pichai at Alphabet, Andy Jassy at Amazon, Tim Cook at Apple, John Stankey at AT&T (WarnerMedia), Brian Roberts at Comcast, David Zaslav at Discovery (and soon Warner Bros. Discovery), Mark Zuckerberg at Facebook, Lachlan Murdoch at Fox, Reed Hastings at Netflix, Kenichiro Yoshida at Sony, Robert Bakish at ViacomCBS, Arnaud de Puyfontaine at Vivendi (Universal Music Group) and Bob Chapek at Walt Disney.
The letter says, in part:
As the top leaders of the entertainment industry—one of the nation’s most powerful and influential business sectors—you are needed to lead our community’s call for action and embrace this vision for a better world. The entertainment community has a long, proud tradition of driving societal change. Our industry is already leading the charge toward more sustainable practices within our own businesses and productions. Now is the time to use your influence to shape our future.”
Congress needs to hear you demand, unequivocally, that it put forward and pass the most ambitious climate change agenda in U.S. history.
“It’s no secret that climate change is here and is already affecting people’s lives across the globe,” wrote Cabello in her post on Instagram about the effort. “We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to act boldly to fight the climate crisis, so I am honored to join over 60 fellow artists to call on leaders of the entertainment industry to use their power and demand that Congress pass @potus’s #BuildBackBetter agenda this fall.”
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The standard was taken up by longtime environmental champion DiCaprio, who tweeted to his 19 million followers, “This fall, Congress has a rare opportunity to invest in a clean, just, and equitable future by passing the Build Back Better agenda. This is our moment, and there is no time to waste. Join us and @NRDC_AF…”
This fall, Congress has a rare opportunity to invest in a clean, just, and equitable future by passing the Build Back Better agenda. This is our moment, and there is no time to waste. Join us and @NRDC_AF by texting Climate Now to 21333 to demand Congress take action. pic.twitter.com/7Ivx6ElCpG
— Leonardo DiCaprio (@LeoDiCaprio) September 23, 2021
Julia Louis-Dreyfus, who is an Nrdc board member, said the following in a statement: “People are seeing the impacts of climate change first-hand, from climate-fueled wildfires, to floods and storms,” said . “We cannot wait longer to act and we must use our voices to demand that our government leaders pass President Biden’s Build Back Better agenda.”
The full text of the letter and a list of its signatories are below.
Dear Entertainment Industry Executives:
Climate change has arrived on our doorstep: California is on fire, record-breaking and deadly storms are flooding New York City, hurricanes are devastating the Gulf. This summer alone, nearly one in every three people in the United States experienced an extreme weather event.
Scientists warn that if we fail to act now, every single one of us will feel the impacts, a billion people will be displaced, and low-income people and communities of color will continue to be hit first and worst. Right now, we have a critical window of opportunity to do something about it. And we need all hands on deck to demand that our leaders protect the people we love and the places they live before it’s too late.
Congress has a once-in-a-generation opportunity to invest in a clean, just, and equitable future for all by passing the robust climate action that President Biden called for in his Build Back Better agenda. This legislation will create healthier communities, put millions to work in clean energy jobs, and free us from the fossil fuels that are driving climate change.
As the top leaders of the entertainment industry—one of the nation’s most powerful and influential business sectors—you are needed to lead our community’s call for action and embrace this vision for a better world. The entertainment community has a long, proud tradition of driving societal change. Our industry is already leading the charge toward more sustainable practices within our own businesses and productions. Now is the time to use your influence to shape our future.
Congress needs to hear you demand, unequivocally, that it put forward and pass the most ambitious climate change agenda in U.S. history.
The plan currently before Congress will protect people’s health and clean up our drinking water. It will create a just transition away from dirty fossil fuels and create millions of new jobs. It will protect communities from climate change through investments in clean energy, clean transportation, and infrastructure upgrades. And it will make sure we finally prioritize and invest in the low-income communities and communities of color that are hit hardest by both fossil fuel pollution and climate impacts.
This plan will create a stronger, brighter, and more just America—and we need you to help make this vision a reality.
At this pivotal moment, please lead the call. Demand publicly and loudly that our senators and representatives in Congress pass this critical legislation.
And we pledge to do our part as well. We will use our platforms to remind all Americans: Tell your senators and representatives in Congress that you demand climate action now. Advocate for Congress to take up the president’s climate agenda. And don’t stop there. Tweet. Post. E-mail. Call. Whatever it takes.
Sincerely,
J.J. Abrams
Anitta
Jack Antonoff
Troian Bellisario
Greg Berlanti
Cate Blanchett
Benny Blanco
Dave Burd aka “Lil Dicky”
Camila Cabello
Dove Cameron
Alessia Cara
Don Cheadle
Glenn Close
Coldplay
Jacob Collier
Lily Collins
James Corden
Ellen DeGeneres
Cara Delevingne
Leonardo DiCaprio
Zac Efron
Billie Eilish
Chris Evans
Jimmy Fallon
Finneas
Selena Gomez
Conan Gray
Grimes
Todrick Hall
Hugh Jackman
Jimmy Kimmel
Joey King
Liza Koshy
Lady Gaga
Cyndi Lauper
John Legend
Adam Levine
Kevin Liles
Dua Lipa
Lorde
Chuck Lorre
Julia Louis-Dreyfus
Demi Lovato
Ziggy Marley
Shawn Mendes
Idina Menzel
Lin-Manuel Miranda
Sean Penn
Joaquin Phoenix
Billy Porter
Zachary Quinto
Addison Rae
Robert Redford
Ryan Reynolds
Mark Ronson
Kyra Sedgwick
Shakira
Lilly Singh
Troye Sivan
Barbra Streisand
Wes Studi
Ryan Tedder
Justin Timberlake
Kerry Washington
Sigourney Weaver
Shailene Woodley
Calum Worthy...
- 9/23/2021
- by Tom Tapp
- Deadline Film + TV
The platform was acquired from AT&T, owners of WarnerMedia.
Sony Pictures Entertainment has completed its acquisition of WarnerMedia’s anime streaming platform Crunchyroll for £850m ($1.18bn).
Sony has acquired the SVoD from WarnerMedia parent company AT&T through its anime firm Funimation Global Group – a joint venture with Sony Music Entertainment subsidiary Aniplex.
Crunchyroll has 5m subscribers and 120m registered users globally, with a broad media and entertainment focus that includes AVoD (ad-based video on demand), mobile gaming, events, merchandise and distribution.
Following the deal, Crunchyroll will expand distribution and its content offering.
Last year, its global partnerships and content...
Sony Pictures Entertainment has completed its acquisition of WarnerMedia’s anime streaming platform Crunchyroll for £850m ($1.18bn).
Sony has acquired the SVoD from WarnerMedia parent company AT&T through its anime firm Funimation Global Group – a joint venture with Sony Music Entertainment subsidiary Aniplex.
Crunchyroll has 5m subscribers and 120m registered users globally, with a broad media and entertainment focus that includes AVoD (ad-based video on demand), mobile gaming, events, merchandise and distribution.
Following the deal, Crunchyroll will expand distribution and its content offering.
Last year, its global partnerships and content...
- 8/10/2021
- by John Elmes Broadcast
- ScreenDaily
Sony Pictures Entertainment has closed its $1.175 billion acquisition of Crunchyroll from AT&T, adding to the list of entertainment assets recently shed by the telecom giant.
The company will be combined with Sony’s Funimation, creating a powerhouse in anime. Funimation is a joint venture between Spe and Sony Music Entertainment’s Aniplex Inc.
The agreement was first announced in December 2020 but reports surfaced in the spring about regulatory concern about the concentration of anime assets under a single corporate roof. Crunchyroll last week said it had accumulated 5 million streaming subscribers. It has 120 million registered users across more than 200 countries and territories, offering AVOD, mobile games, manga, events merchandise and distribution.
The announcement of the transaction’s completion said it would enable Crunchyroll and Funimation to “broaden distribution for their content partners and expand fan-centric offerings for consumers.”
AT&T last week completed the spinoff of DirecTV into a new entity...
The company will be combined with Sony’s Funimation, creating a powerhouse in anime. Funimation is a joint venture between Spe and Sony Music Entertainment’s Aniplex Inc.
The agreement was first announced in December 2020 but reports surfaced in the spring about regulatory concern about the concentration of anime assets under a single corporate roof. Crunchyroll last week said it had accumulated 5 million streaming subscribers. It has 120 million registered users across more than 200 countries and territories, offering AVOD, mobile games, manga, events merchandise and distribution.
The announcement of the transaction’s completion said it would enable Crunchyroll and Funimation to “broaden distribution for their content partners and expand fan-centric offerings for consumers.”
AT&T last week completed the spinoff of DirecTV into a new entity...
- 8/9/2021
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
AT&T has officially divested Crunchyroll, closing the sale of the anime business to Sony’s Funimation group — bringing together two erstwhile competitors under the Sony umbrella.
The telco, looking for every opportunity to pay down its debt, sold Crunchyroll for $1.175 billion in cash paid at closing by Funimation Global Group, a joint venture between Sony Pictures Entertainment and Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) subsidiary Aniplex.
Sony’s goal is to “create a unified anime subscription experience as soon as possible,” Tony Vinciquerra, chairman and CEO of Sony Pictures, said in announcing the close of the deal Monday. “With the addition of Crunchyroll, we have an unprecedented opportunity to serve anime fans like never before and deliver the anime experience across any platform they choose, from theatrical, events, home entertainment, games, streaming, linear TV — everywhere and every way fans want to experience their anime.”
The agreement was first announced in December 2020 and had been pending regulatory approval.
The telco, looking for every opportunity to pay down its debt, sold Crunchyroll for $1.175 billion in cash paid at closing by Funimation Global Group, a joint venture between Sony Pictures Entertainment and Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) subsidiary Aniplex.
Sony’s goal is to “create a unified anime subscription experience as soon as possible,” Tony Vinciquerra, chairman and CEO of Sony Pictures, said in announcing the close of the deal Monday. “With the addition of Crunchyroll, we have an unprecedented opportunity to serve anime fans like never before and deliver the anime experience across any platform they choose, from theatrical, events, home entertainment, games, streaming, linear TV — everywhere and every way fans want to experience their anime.”
The agreement was first announced in December 2020 and had been pending regulatory approval.
- 8/9/2021
- by Todd Spangler
- Variety Film + TV
Sony Pictures is not for sale, nor will it be spun off as a standalone company anytime soon, says Sony Group CEO Yoshida Kenichiro.
The rapid consolidation seen across the screen sector — such as Amazon’s $8.45 billion acquisition of MGM and WarnerMedia’s high-profile merger with Discovery — has fueled industry speculation about Sony Pictures’ future. And the company’s strategic decision to act as a content supplier to established streamers rather than launching a flagship direct-to-consumer service of its own has made it something of an outlier in the streaming era. Meanwhile, the high price tag ...
The rapid consolidation seen across the screen sector — such as Amazon’s $8.45 billion acquisition of MGM and WarnerMedia’s high-profile merger with Discovery — has fueled industry speculation about Sony Pictures’ future. And the company’s strategic decision to act as a content supplier to established streamers rather than launching a flagship direct-to-consumer service of its own has made it something of an outlier in the streaming era. Meanwhile, the high price tag ...
- 5/27/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Tom Rothman, Sony Pictures motion picture group chairman, has said many times, both on the record and in the private confines of Louis B. Mayer’s old office on the Sony lot, that he is an arms dealer in the arms race.
He is referring to, of course, Hollywood’s leading business mandate to launch and service streaming competitors to giants such as Netflix and Disney Plus — subscriber platforms that have become Wall Street’s golden geese after the global pandemic shuttered movie theaters and theme parks. With Amazon Studios and Apple TV Plus chugging along in search of narrative identities, and WarnerMedia, NBCUniversal and ViacomCBS working to grab eyeballs with vast film and TV libraries, many wondered how and if Sony Pictures Entertainment would enter the fray.
In quick succession in April, Sony not only brokered two historic TV licensing deals that will bring close to $3 billion in revenue to the Japanese-owned shop,...
He is referring to, of course, Hollywood’s leading business mandate to launch and service streaming competitors to giants such as Netflix and Disney Plus — subscriber platforms that have become Wall Street’s golden geese after the global pandemic shuttered movie theaters and theme parks. With Amazon Studios and Apple TV Plus chugging along in search of narrative identities, and WarnerMedia, NBCUniversal and ViacomCBS working to grab eyeballs with vast film and TV libraries, many wondered how and if Sony Pictures Entertainment would enter the fray.
In quick succession in April, Sony not only brokered two historic TV licensing deals that will bring close to $3 billion in revenue to the Japanese-owned shop,...
- 5/19/2021
- by Matt Donnelly
- Variety Film + TV
Epic Games, the company behind Fortnite, said it has raised $1 billion in new funding and has reached a valuation of $28.7 billion.
The fundraising round includes another $200 million strategic investment from Sony Group Corp., as the Japanese conglomerate renamed itself recently. Sony last summer had put $250 million into the privately held gaming concern.
Other investors include Appaloosa, T. Rowe Price, Kkr, AllianceBernstein, Altimeter, Luxor Capital, and funds and accounts managed by Fidelity and BlackRock. Epic has a single class of common stock, and founder and CEO Tim Sweeney remains the company’s controlling shareholder.
In announcing the injection of capital, Sweeney said it would help advance Epic’s efforts in technology, entertainment and what it calls “socially connected online services.” Through Fortnite and its other platforms, the company has promoted what it calls a “metaverse.” In particular during Covid-19, it has drawn sizable online crowds by hosting concerts, trailer reveals, screenings and other virtual events.
The fundraising round includes another $200 million strategic investment from Sony Group Corp., as the Japanese conglomerate renamed itself recently. Sony last summer had put $250 million into the privately held gaming concern.
Other investors include Appaloosa, T. Rowe Price, Kkr, AllianceBernstein, Altimeter, Luxor Capital, and funds and accounts managed by Fidelity and BlackRock. Epic has a single class of common stock, and founder and CEO Tim Sweeney remains the company’s controlling shareholder.
In announcing the injection of capital, Sweeney said it would help advance Epic’s efforts in technology, entertainment and what it calls “socially connected online services.” Through Fortnite and its other platforms, the company has promoted what it calls a “metaverse.” In particular during Covid-19, it has drawn sizable online crowds by hosting concerts, trailer reveals, screenings and other virtual events.
- 4/13/2021
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
Alex Trebek, the longtime host of television quiz show Jeopardy! who inspired millions with his brave public battle against pancreatic cancer, has died. He was 80 and died at home, according to a spokesperson.
Trebek had stage 4 pancreatic cancer, and went public about his condition in March 2019, updating fans on his condition via social media and frequent interviews.
Trebek became host of Jeopardy! upon its revival in 1984. He was under contract until 2022, and pressed on with tapings and media appearances throughout his illness, saying the interactions with the show and his fans were helping him cope.
Jeopardy! recently began Trebek’s 37th season as show host. Earlier this year, he was aboard for the show’s high-rated “Greatest of All-Time” tournament on prime-time television. The tournament was won by Ken Jennings, whom some have speculated as the host who will take over from Trebek.
Trebek-hosted episodes will air through December 25th.
Trebek had stage 4 pancreatic cancer, and went public about his condition in March 2019, updating fans on his condition via social media and frequent interviews.
Trebek became host of Jeopardy! upon its revival in 1984. He was under contract until 2022, and pressed on with tapings and media appearances throughout his illness, saying the interactions with the show and his fans were helping him cope.
Jeopardy! recently began Trebek’s 37th season as show host. Earlier this year, he was aboard for the show’s high-rated “Greatest of All-Time” tournament on prime-time television. The tournament was won by Ken Jennings, whom some have speculated as the host who will take over from Trebek.
Trebek-hosted episodes will air through December 25th.
- 11/8/2020
- by Bruce Haring
- Deadline Film + TV
Alex Trebek, the beloved host of gameshow “Jeopardy!” since its 1984 debut in syndication, has died of pancreatic cancer. He was 80.
The official “Jeopardy!” Twitter account announced the news on Sunday morning.
” ‘Jeopardy!’ is saddened to share that Alex Trebek passed away peacefully at home early this morning, surrounded by family and friends.”
Jeopardy! is saddened to share that Alex Trebek passed away peacefully at home early this morning, surrounded by family and friends. Thank you, Alex. pic.twitter.com/Yk2a90CHIM
— Jeopardy! (@Jeopardy) November 8, 2020
Trebek revealed in March 2019 that he had been diagnosed with Stage Four pancreatic cancer. “I have lived a good life, a full life and I’m nearing the end of that life,” he told USA Today in October. Sony Pictures Entertainment, which has owned the show since its predecessor Columbia Pictures Television acquired Merv Griffin Enterprises in 1986, has confirmed that “Jeopardy!” episodes hosted by Trebek will air through Dec.
The official “Jeopardy!” Twitter account announced the news on Sunday morning.
” ‘Jeopardy!’ is saddened to share that Alex Trebek passed away peacefully at home early this morning, surrounded by family and friends.”
Jeopardy! is saddened to share that Alex Trebek passed away peacefully at home early this morning, surrounded by family and friends. Thank you, Alex. pic.twitter.com/Yk2a90CHIM
— Jeopardy! (@Jeopardy) November 8, 2020
Trebek revealed in March 2019 that he had been diagnosed with Stage Four pancreatic cancer. “I have lived a good life, a full life and I’m nearing the end of that life,” he told USA Today in October. Sony Pictures Entertainment, which has owned the show since its predecessor Columbia Pictures Television acquired Merv Griffin Enterprises in 1986, has confirmed that “Jeopardy!” episodes hosted by Trebek will air through Dec.
- 11/8/2020
- by Carmel Dagan
- Variety Film + TV
Sony has acquired a minor share in Fortnite developer Epic Games via a $250 million investment.
“Epic’s powerful technology in areas such as graphics places them at the forefront of game engine development with Unreal Engine and other innovations,” Sony President and CEO Kenichiro Yoshida said via a statement. “There’s no better example of this than the revolutionary entertainment experience Fortnite. Throughout our investment, we will explore opportunities for further collaboration with Epic to delight and bring value to consumers and the industry at large, not only in games but also across the rapidly evolving digital entertainment landscape.”
Epic founder and CEO Tim Sweeney noted that Sony and Epic “share a vision of real-time 3D social experiences leading to a convergence of gaming, film, and music” and hopes that the two companies can “strive to build an even more open and accessible digital ecosystem for all consumers and content creators alike.
“Epic’s powerful technology in areas such as graphics places them at the forefront of game engine development with Unreal Engine and other innovations,” Sony President and CEO Kenichiro Yoshida said via a statement. “There’s no better example of this than the revolutionary entertainment experience Fortnite. Throughout our investment, we will explore opportunities for further collaboration with Epic to delight and bring value to consumers and the industry at large, not only in games but also across the rapidly evolving digital entertainment landscape.”
Epic founder and CEO Tim Sweeney noted that Sony and Epic “share a vision of real-time 3D social experiences leading to a convergence of gaming, film, and music” and hopes that the two companies can “strive to build an even more open and accessible digital ecosystem for all consumers and content creators alike.
- 7/10/2020
- by Matthew Byrd
- Den of Geek
Tech conglomerate Sony has acquired a $250 million, minority state in Epic Games -- the hit publisher behind Fortnite.
The investment brings Epic’s total funds raised to $1.8 billion. Venturebeat reports that Sony has taken a 1.4% stake in Epic, valuing the publisher at a staggering $17.86 billion.
“Epic’s powerful technology in areas such as graphics places them at the forefront of game engine development with Unreal Engine, [a software toolset for game-building],” Sony chairman, president, and CEO Kenichiro Yoshida said in a statement. “There’s no better example of this than the revolutionary entertainment experience, Fortnite.”
Yoshida added that the two companies will explore opportunities for further collaboration in gaming, as well as across the larger entertainment landscape -- especially as Fortnite has increasingly come to serve as a venue for non-gaming spectacles, such as a record-shattering virtual Travis Scott concert, movie trailer premieres, and even full-length film screenings. Venturebeat notes that Epic and Sony last...
The investment brings Epic’s total funds raised to $1.8 billion. Venturebeat reports that Sony has taken a 1.4% stake in Epic, valuing the publisher at a staggering $17.86 billion.
“Epic’s powerful technology in areas such as graphics places them at the forefront of game engine development with Unreal Engine, [a software toolset for game-building],” Sony chairman, president, and CEO Kenichiro Yoshida said in a statement. “There’s no better example of this than the revolutionary entertainment experience, Fortnite.”
Yoshida added that the two companies will explore opportunities for further collaboration in gaming, as well as across the larger entertainment landscape -- especially as Fortnite has increasingly come to serve as a venue for non-gaming spectacles, such as a record-shattering virtual Travis Scott concert, movie trailer premieres, and even full-length film screenings. Venturebeat notes that Epic and Sony last...
- 7/9/2020
- by Geoff Weiss
- Tubefilter.com
Sony is turning its listed subsidiary Sony Financial Holdings into a wholly owned in house entity, in a deal that will cost $3.73Bn (400 billion yen).
According to financial paper Nikkei, the move is being made to take control of a stable profit generator during the current pandemic, and mirrors similar action taken by Alibaba and Apple.
Sony already owns 65% of the unit and will purchase the remaining shares through a tender offer, paying $24.19 per share, a premium of around 30% over the current price.
The report says the Japanese electronics and entertainment giant will combine its artificial intelligence capabilities with the expertise of Sony Financial, which operates a bank as well as insurance providers.
“Our financial business has a value chain that starts and ends within Japan,” said Sony CEO Kenichiro Yoshida at a corporate strategy meeting on Tuesday, according to Nikkei. “With heightening geopolitical risks, we thought it would...
According to financial paper Nikkei, the move is being made to take control of a stable profit generator during the current pandemic, and mirrors similar action taken by Alibaba and Apple.
Sony already owns 65% of the unit and will purchase the remaining shares through a tender offer, paying $24.19 per share, a premium of around 30% over the current price.
The report says the Japanese electronics and entertainment giant will combine its artificial intelligence capabilities with the expertise of Sony Financial, which operates a bank as well as insurance providers.
“Our financial business has a value chain that starts and ends within Japan,” said Sony CEO Kenichiro Yoshida at a corporate strategy meeting on Tuesday, according to Nikkei. “With heightening geopolitical risks, we thought it would...
- 5/19/2020
- by Tom Grater
- Deadline Film + TV
Sony Corporation today said it has launched a $100M fund to support those affected by the coronavirus. Titled the Sony Global Relief Fund for Covid-19, the electronics and entertainment giant will provide assistance in three areas: individuals engaged in frontline medical and first responder efforts to fight the virus, support for children and educators who must now work remotely, and support for members of the creative community in the entertainment industry.
In terms of medical support, $10M has been earmarked for the Covid-19 Solidarity Response Fund at the World Health Organization which is powered by the Un Foundation and Swiss Philanthropy Foundation, as well as Médecins Sans Frontières, Unicef and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (Unhcr) to assist medical workers and others on the frontline of response efforts to the virus. Sony will also work with its external partners to explore ways that it can support activities that...
In terms of medical support, $10M has been earmarked for the Covid-19 Solidarity Response Fund at the World Health Organization which is powered by the Un Foundation and Swiss Philanthropy Foundation, as well as Médecins Sans Frontières, Unicef and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (Unhcr) to assist medical workers and others on the frontline of response efforts to the virus. Sony will also work with its external partners to explore ways that it can support activities that...
- 4/2/2020
- by Nancy Tartaglione
- Deadline Film + TV
I have genuinely lost count of the number of high-ranking Sony Music executives over the past decade who have sold me the “One Sony” dream.
If that phrase is news to you, allow me to enlighten: In a bid to differentiate itself from its key competition (Universal Music Group and Warner Music Group), Sony’s recorded music division has long tried to spin the idea that it is uniquely connected to Sony Corp’s other powerful owned-media divisions – most particularly Sony Pictures (movies and TV) and Sony Game & Network Services (including PlayStation).
By and large,...
If that phrase is news to you, allow me to enlighten: In a bid to differentiate itself from its key competition (Universal Music Group and Warner Music Group), Sony’s recorded music division has long tried to spin the idea that it is uniquely connected to Sony Corp’s other powerful owned-media divisions – most particularly Sony Pictures (movies and TV) and Sony Game & Network Services (including PlayStation).
By and large,...
- 10/22/2019
- by Tim Ingham
- Rollingstone.com
Sony Corp. has rejected a proposal by activist shareholder Daniel Loeb of Third Point Capital to spin off its semiconductor business in order to unlock value in its entertainment holdings.
Third Point, which has accumulated $1.5 billion in Sony shares since 2013, sent an open letter to Sony’s board in June outlining its recommendations for the company. One central idea it advocated was separating its chip business. “New Sony,” as Loeb dubbed the proposed operation, would consist of music, film, TV and gaming assets.
“Sony’s board and management team, along with external financial and legal advisors in Japan and the U.S., conducted an extensive analysis of Third Point’s recommendations,” Sony CEO Kenichiro Yoshida wrote in a letter to shareholders. “Following this review, Sony’s board, which is comprised of a majority of independent outside directors with diverse experience in a variety of industries, unanimously concluded that retaining the...
Third Point, which has accumulated $1.5 billion in Sony shares since 2013, sent an open letter to Sony’s board in June outlining its recommendations for the company. One central idea it advocated was separating its chip business. “New Sony,” as Loeb dubbed the proposed operation, would consist of music, film, TV and gaming assets.
“Sony’s board and management team, along with external financial and legal advisors in Japan and the U.S., conducted an extensive analysis of Third Point’s recommendations,” Sony CEO Kenichiro Yoshida wrote in a letter to shareholders. “Following this review, Sony’s board, which is comprised of a majority of independent outside directors with diverse experience in a variety of industries, unanimously concluded that retaining the...
- 9/17/2019
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
Sony has said “thanks, but no thanks” to Third Point LLC activist investor Dan Loeb’s proposal to spin off its semiconductor business and focus on entertainment.
The Japanese company responded to Loeb’s June pitch in a lengthy letter on Tuesday. Sony said that after reviewing the matter for three months, its board had unanimously voted against breaking up the company.
Below are the most relevant paragraphs from Tuesday’s letter to shareholders from CEO Kenichiro Yoshida:
Also Read: Cord-Cutters Beware: New Streamers Could Cost Almost as Much as Cable | Chart
Sony’s Board and management team, along with external financial and legal advisors in Japan and the U.S., conducted an extensive analysis of Third Point’s recommendations.
Following this review, Sony’s Board, which is comprised of a majority of independent outside directors with diverse experience in a variety of industries, unanimously concluded that retaining the...
The Japanese company responded to Loeb’s June pitch in a lengthy letter on Tuesday. Sony said that after reviewing the matter for three months, its board had unanimously voted against breaking up the company.
Below are the most relevant paragraphs from Tuesday’s letter to shareholders from CEO Kenichiro Yoshida:
Also Read: Cord-Cutters Beware: New Streamers Could Cost Almost as Much as Cable | Chart
Sony’s Board and management team, along with external financial and legal advisors in Japan and the U.S., conducted an extensive analysis of Third Point’s recommendations.
Following this review, Sony’s Board, which is comprised of a majority of independent outside directors with diverse experience in a variety of industries, unanimously concluded that retaining the...
- 9/17/2019
- by Tony Maglio and Sean Burch
- The Wrap
Sony Corp. dismissed the proposal from Daniel Loeb's Third Point hedge fund to spin out its successful semiconductor business into a separate company in an eight-page letter to shareholders on Tuesday.
CEO Kenichiro Yoshida pointed to two consecutive years of record profits at the entertainment to electronics Japanese conglomerate as evidence that Sony's corporate strategy of diversified businesses was working.
Yoshida wrote that Sony's board agreed with Loeb's description of its Imaging and Sensor Solutions division as a "Japanese crown jewel and technology champion" but that it would continue to be an integral part of the group....
CEO Kenichiro Yoshida pointed to two consecutive years of record profits at the entertainment to electronics Japanese conglomerate as evidence that Sony's corporate strategy of diversified businesses was working.
Yoshida wrote that Sony's board agreed with Loeb's description of its Imaging and Sensor Solutions division as a "Japanese crown jewel and technology champion" but that it would continue to be an integral part of the group....
- 9/17/2019
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Sony Corp. dismissed the proposal from Daniel Loeb's Third Point hedge fund to spin out its successful semiconductor business into a separate company in an eight-page letter to shareholders on Tuesday.
CEO Kenichiro Yoshida pointed to two consecutive years of record profits at the entertainment to electronics Japanese conglomerate as evidence that Sony's corporate strategy of diversified businesses was working.
Yoshida wrote that Sony's board agreed with Loeb's description of its Imaging and Sensor Solutions division as a "Japanese crown jewel and technology champion" but that it would continue to be an integral part of the group....
CEO Kenichiro Yoshida pointed to two consecutive years of record profits at the entertainment to electronics Japanese conglomerate as evidence that Sony's corporate strategy of diversified businesses was working.
Yoshida wrote that Sony's board agreed with Loeb's description of its Imaging and Sensor Solutions division as a "Japanese crown jewel and technology champion" but that it would continue to be an integral part of the group....
- 9/17/2019
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Sony Music Entertainment and Sony/Atv — Sony’s recorded music and publishing divisions, respectively — will come together under one umbrella company next month, creating a structure in line with that of the other two major music companies. In an internal memo sent on Wednesday and reviewed by Rolling Stone, Sony Corporation CEO Kenichiro Yoshida told colleagues that the two entities will become one large “Sony Music Group” under current Sony Music Entertainment chairman Rob Stringer.
While Sme Japan will remain a separate entity, Sme and Sony/Atv Music Publishing will now both report to Stringer,...
While Sme Japan will remain a separate entity, Sme and Sony/Atv Music Publishing will now both report to Stringer,...
- 7/17/2019
- by Amy X. Wang
- Rollingstone.com
Sony must spin off its semiconductor business, sell its stake in Spotify, and double down on becoming a “creative entertainment company,” activist investor Dan Loeb argued.
In a new note and presentation shared with investors on Thursday, Loeb’s Third Point Management said that the electronics and entertainment giant’s “complex structure and business holdings” has led to a stock price discount. “Investors are reluctant to own Sony shares because of the difficulty in forecasting so many business,” the firm argued in a 102-page presentation titled “A Stronger Sony.”
Third Point recommended four remedies to help Sony “unlock its full value”:
Also Read: Sony Pictures Classics Acquires Mob Drama 'The Traitor'
Spinning off its semiconductor division as “Sony Technologies” and listing it in Japan; the division accounts for more than 70% of smartphone image sensors and could be worth $35 billion in five years, according to the New York-based firm.
In a new note and presentation shared with investors on Thursday, Loeb’s Third Point Management said that the electronics and entertainment giant’s “complex structure and business holdings” has led to a stock price discount. “Investors are reluctant to own Sony shares because of the difficulty in forecasting so many business,” the firm argued in a 102-page presentation titled “A Stronger Sony.”
Third Point recommended four remedies to help Sony “unlock its full value”:
Also Read: Sony Pictures Classics Acquires Mob Drama 'The Traitor'
Spinning off its semiconductor division as “Sony Technologies” and listing it in Japan; the division accounts for more than 70% of smartphone image sensors and could be worth $35 billion in five years, according to the New York-based firm.
- 6/14/2019
- by Sean Burch
- The Wrap
U.S. activist investor Dan Loeb's Third Point hedge fund has called on Japan's Sony Corp. to break up its electronics and entertainment units into separate businesses.
Six years after making a similar pitch, Third Point in a June 13 letter to investors said Sony remained undervalued because of "portfolio complexity," which could be solved by spinning off the semiconductors business into a separate, publicly traded company.
"Sony's gaming, music and pictures segments would become the core after the semiconductor spin," the letter states.
The entertainment-to-electronics group, led by CEO Kenichiro Yoshida, has ...
Six years after making a similar pitch, Third Point in a June 13 letter to investors said Sony remained undervalued because of "portfolio complexity," which could be solved by spinning off the semiconductors business into a separate, publicly traded company.
"Sony's gaming, music and pictures segments would become the core after the semiconductor spin," the letter states.
The entertainment-to-electronics group, led by CEO Kenichiro Yoshida, has ...
- 6/14/2019
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
U.S. activist investor Dan Loeb's Third Point hedge fund has called on Japan's Sony Corp. to break up its electronics and entertainment units into separate businesses.
Six years after making a similar pitch, Third Point in a June 13 letter to investors said Sony remained undervalued because of "portfolio complexity," which could be solved by spinning off the semiconductors business into a separate, publicly traded company.
"Sony's gaming, music and pictures segments would become the core after the semiconductor spin," the letter states.
The entertainment-to-electronics group, led by CEO Kenichiro Yoshida, has ...
Six years after making a similar pitch, Third Point in a June 13 letter to investors said Sony remained undervalued because of "portfolio complexity," which could be solved by spinning off the semiconductors business into a separate, publicly traded company.
"Sony's gaming, music and pictures segments would become the core after the semiconductor spin," the letter states.
The entertainment-to-electronics group, led by CEO Kenichiro Yoshida, has ...
- 6/14/2019
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Tokyo — Sony Corp. CEO Kenichiro Yoshida underscored the importance of Sony Pictures Entertainment to the conglomerate’s strategy going forward at a media briefing Tuesday, citing the global boom in subscription streaming services.
The comments from Yoshida, who hosted the session with Spe chairman and CEO Tony Vinciquerra, come amid industry consolidation and possible pressure from activist investor Daniel Loeb, whose Three Point hedge fund recently upped its Sony holdings by $63 million.
In 2013, Loeb publicly urged Sony to sell off part of its entertainment businesses to boost shareholder value. Sony rejected that proposal, but speculation remains that Loeb will renew his call for the company to unload Sony Pictures Entertainment.
“The proliferation of subscription streaming services has increased the demand for music and video entertainment content,” Yoshida said. “This is acting as a tailwind for companies like Sony that own businesses which produce music and video content such as movies,...
The comments from Yoshida, who hosted the session with Spe chairman and CEO Tony Vinciquerra, come amid industry consolidation and possible pressure from activist investor Daniel Loeb, whose Three Point hedge fund recently upped its Sony holdings by $63 million.
In 2013, Loeb publicly urged Sony to sell off part of its entertainment businesses to boost shareholder value. Sony rejected that proposal, but speculation remains that Loeb will renew his call for the company to unload Sony Pictures Entertainment.
“The proliferation of subscription streaming services has increased the demand for music and video entertainment content,” Yoshida said. “This is acting as a tailwind for companies like Sony that own businesses which produce music and video content such as movies,...
- 5/21/2019
- by Mark Schilling
- Variety Film + TV
Sony Corp. CEO Kenichiro Yoshida and Sony Pictures Entertainment chairman and CEO Tony Vinciquerra on Tuesday both touted the studio's upside in the rapidly shifting entertainment landscape, particularly amid consolidation and the rise of streaming services, during presentations to investors and the media in Tokyo.
They also highlighted the opportunity for developing intellectual property from other Sony units.
The day at the company's headquarters began with a presentation on Sony Corp.'s strategy from Yoshida, during which he pointed to the growing demand for content and Spe's unique position as positives that will contribute to the ...
They also highlighted the opportunity for developing intellectual property from other Sony units.
The day at the company's headquarters began with a presentation on Sony Corp.'s strategy from Yoshida, during which he pointed to the growing demand for content and Spe's unique position as positives that will contribute to the ...
- 5/21/2019
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Sony Corp. CEO Kenichiro Yoshida and Sony Pictures Entertainment chairman and CEO Tony Vinciquerra on Tuesday both touted the studio's upside in the rapidly shifting entertainment landscape, particularly amid consolidation and the rise of streaming services, during presentations to investors and the media in Tokyo.
They also highlighted the opportunity for developing intellectual property from other Sony units.
The day at the company's headquarters began with a presentation on Sony Corp.'s strategy from Yoshida, during which he pointed to the growing demand for content and Spe's unique position as positives that will contribute to the ...
They also highlighted the opportunity for developing intellectual property from other Sony units.
The day at the company's headquarters began with a presentation on Sony Corp.'s strategy from Yoshida, during which he pointed to the growing demand for content and Spe's unique position as positives that will contribute to the ...
- 5/21/2019
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Matthew Byrd May 16, 2019
Console rivals Microsoft and Sony are working together to expand cloud gaming and other technology.
Sony and Microsoft have announced a partnership that will see the two tech giants team-up to help build the future of cloud gaming.
“The two companies will explore joint development of future cloud solutions in Microsoft Azure to support their respective game and content-streaming services,” says Microsoft in a statement. "These efforts will also include building better development platforms for the content creator community."
It's not entirely clear at this time what the extent of this agreement is, but it certainly sounds like the two companies intend on sharing technology and ideas as it relates to certain services. It's even been suggested that Sony may utilize Microsoft Azure datacenters for some of their own future content services. For the most part, though, it sounds like this partnership is intended to expedite the...
Console rivals Microsoft and Sony are working together to expand cloud gaming and other technology.
Sony and Microsoft have announced a partnership that will see the two tech giants team-up to help build the future of cloud gaming.
“The two companies will explore joint development of future cloud solutions in Microsoft Azure to support their respective game and content-streaming services,” says Microsoft in a statement. "These efforts will also include building better development platforms for the content creator community."
It's not entirely clear at this time what the extent of this agreement is, but it certainly sounds like the two companies intend on sharing technology and ideas as it relates to certain services. It's even been suggested that Sony may utilize Microsoft Azure datacenters for some of their own future content services. For the most part, though, it sounds like this partnership is intended to expedite the...
- 5/16/2019
- Den of Geek
Profits at Sony Pictures rose to $489 million for the financial year running to the end of March 2019. That compares with $376 million in the previous financial year.
The pictures division result was achieved despite a fall in revenue. That dropped from $9.13 billion in the preceding financial year to $8.87 billion in the year to March 2019. Analysis showed revenues fractionally down at motion pictures, media networks and television productions.
The Japanese conglomerate, which stretches from electronics to music, film and games entertainment, reported its full-year financial data Friday. Group revenues hit $78.1 billion. Net profits hit $6.38 billion. In local currency terms, income increased by 86% from JPY379 billion to JPY707 billion.
For the current year, Sony is forecasting a further increase in pictures division profits. These are set to rise by 19%, to $580 million, boosted by a return to revenue growth.
In 2017-18, Sony’s music division (reported in Japanese yen) saw essentially flat sales of...
The pictures division result was achieved despite a fall in revenue. That dropped from $9.13 billion in the preceding financial year to $8.87 billion in the year to March 2019. Analysis showed revenues fractionally down at motion pictures, media networks and television productions.
The Japanese conglomerate, which stretches from electronics to music, film and games entertainment, reported its full-year financial data Friday. Group revenues hit $78.1 billion. Net profits hit $6.38 billion. In local currency terms, income increased by 86% from JPY379 billion to JPY707 billion.
For the current year, Sony is forecasting a further increase in pictures division profits. These are set to rise by 19%, to $580 million, boosted by a return to revenue growth.
In 2017-18, Sony’s music division (reported in Japanese yen) saw essentially flat sales of...
- 4/26/2019
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Sony chairman Kazuo Hirai has announced he will retire from the tech and entertainment giant this summer.
Hirai has set a June 18 departure date after stepping down as CEO last year in a surprise move. Sony says he will continue to act as a senior advisor to management.
“Since passing the baton of CEO to Yoshida-san last April, as Chairman of Sony, I have had the opportunity to both ensure a smooth transition and provide support to Sony’s management,” Hirai said in a statement. “I am confident that everyone at Sony is fully aligned under Yoshida-san’s strong leadership, and are ready to build an even brighter future for Sony. As such, I have decided to depart from Sony, which has been a part of my life for the past 35 years. I would like to extend my warmest gratitude to all our employees and stakeholders who have supported me throughout this journey.
Hirai has set a June 18 departure date after stepping down as CEO last year in a surprise move. Sony says he will continue to act as a senior advisor to management.
“Since passing the baton of CEO to Yoshida-san last April, as Chairman of Sony, I have had the opportunity to both ensure a smooth transition and provide support to Sony’s management,” Hirai said in a statement. “I am confident that everyone at Sony is fully aligned under Yoshida-san’s strong leadership, and are ready to build an even brighter future for Sony. As such, I have decided to depart from Sony, which has been a part of my life for the past 35 years. I would like to extend my warmest gratitude to all our employees and stakeholders who have supported me throughout this journey.
- 3/28/2019
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
A bit more than a year after stepping down as CEO of Sony, Kazuo Hirai on Thursday announced that he will be retiring from the company this summer.
While he will retire as chairman of Sony on June 18, the company said he will continue to provide counsel as requested by Sony’s management team, acting as senior advisor for the company.
“Since passing the baton of CEO to Yoshida-san last April, as Chairman of Sony, I have had the opportunity to both ensure a smooth transition and provide support to Sony’s management,” Hirai said in a prepared statement. “I am confident that everyone at Sony is fully aligned under Yoshida-san’s strong leadership, and are ready to build an even brighter future for Sony. “As such, I have decided to depart from Sony, which has been a part of my life for the past 35 years. I would like to...
While he will retire as chairman of Sony on June 18, the company said he will continue to provide counsel as requested by Sony’s management team, acting as senior advisor for the company.
“Since passing the baton of CEO to Yoshida-san last April, as Chairman of Sony, I have had the opportunity to both ensure a smooth transition and provide support to Sony’s management,” Hirai said in a prepared statement. “I am confident that everyone at Sony is fully aligned under Yoshida-san’s strong leadership, and are ready to build an even brighter future for Sony. “As such, I have decided to depart from Sony, which has been a part of my life for the past 35 years. I would like to...
- 3/28/2019
- by Brian Crecente
- Variety Film + TV
TriStar Pictures president Hannah Minghella is expanding her purview to include oversight of TriStar Television.
The move reflects a mandate from Sony Corp’s new CEO Kenichiro Yoshida to foster synergy across all of Sony's streams of business. As an executive known for strong literary instincts, Minghella already has been working informally with the TV division, having jettisoned properties like the book Maestra over to the television team, where it is a better fit, after originally developing it as a film (Amy Pascal is producing).
Minghella's new title will be president of TriStar Pictures and TriStar Television, effective immediately....
The move reflects a mandate from Sony Corp’s new CEO Kenichiro Yoshida to foster synergy across all of Sony's streams of business. As an executive known for strong literary instincts, Minghella already has been working informally with the TV division, having jettisoned properties like the book Maestra over to the television team, where it is a better fit, after originally developing it as a film (Amy Pascal is producing).
Minghella's new title will be president of TriStar Pictures and TriStar Television, effective immediately....
- 1/31/2019
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
TriStar Pictures president Hannah Minghella is expanding her purview to include oversight of TriStar Television.
The move reflects a mandate from Sony Corp’s new CEO Kenichiro Yoshida to foster synergy across all of Sony's streams of business. As an executive known for strong literary instincts, Minghella already has been working informally with the TV division, having jettisoned properties like the book Maestra over to the television team, where it is a better fit, after originally developing it as a film (Amy Pascal is producing).
Minghella's new title will be president of TriStar Pictures and TriStar Television, effective immediately....
The move reflects a mandate from Sony Corp’s new CEO Kenichiro Yoshida to foster synergy across all of Sony's streams of business. As an executive known for strong literary instincts, Minghella already has been working informally with the TV division, having jettisoned properties like the book Maestra over to the television team, where it is a better fit, after originally developing it as a film (Amy Pascal is producing).
Minghella's new title will be president of TriStar Pictures and TriStar Television, effective immediately....
- 1/31/2019
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Matthew Byrd Oct 9, 2018
Sony hasn't name dropped the PlayStation 5, but they're working on something new.
To the surprise of absolutely nobody, Sony is working on a next-gen console.
"At this point, what I can say is it's necessary to have a next-generation hardware," said Sony boss Kenichiro Yoshida in an interview with the Financial Times (paywall article). While Yoshida did not go into details regarding that next-generation hardware, this is the first time that we've heard someone within Sony at his level mention the creation of next-gen hardware.
While Yoshida also did not mention the name "PlayStation 5" during the interview, we'd be shocked if Sony abandoned that simple and clearly profitable naming strategy now. That theory only gains steam when you consider that the Financial Times has previously reported that the PS5's architecture may not be that different from the PS4's. Again, it makes sense that Sony might...
Sony hasn't name dropped the PlayStation 5, but they're working on something new.
To the surprise of absolutely nobody, Sony is working on a next-gen console.
"At this point, what I can say is it's necessary to have a next-generation hardware," said Sony boss Kenichiro Yoshida in an interview with the Financial Times (paywall article). While Yoshida did not go into details regarding that next-generation hardware, this is the first time that we've heard someone within Sony at his level mention the creation of next-gen hardware.
While Yoshida also did not mention the name "PlayStation 5" during the interview, we'd be shocked if Sony abandoned that simple and clearly profitable naming strategy now. That theory only gains steam when you consider that the Financial Times has previously reported that the PS5's architecture may not be that different from the PS4's. Again, it makes sense that Sony might...
- 10/9/2018
- Den of Geek
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