Sony Pictures Television Names Kate Gill SVP Comedy Development

Marc Malkin Senior Editor, Culture and Events Jay Marcus has been working in film and television for more than a decade, but he also has no problem boasting that he is a “theater nerd.” “I could talk about theater more than anything else in the world,” says Marcus, head of scripted film and television at RuPaul’s production company RuCo. “I get giddy about it.” So much so that, in August, he launched The Hollywood Theatre Club. In the first of a now bimonthly newsletter written and distributed by Marcus, he described the club as a “collective of film & TV executives, producers, agents/managers, casting directors and other industry types who come together once a month to see professional theater in L.A.” “I have a lot of hope for theater in L.A., not necessarily as a commercial endeavor but for the key non-profits that are doing great work,” Marcus says.

EXCLUSIVE: Raven-Symoné is extending her relationship with Disney, which she has called home for many years, with a new multi-year overall deal at Disney Branded Television. Under the pact, she will produce, direct, and develop projects across linear and streaming, with a focus on multi-cam comedies.

Jem Aswad Executive Editor, Music Sony Music Publishing today announced it has acquired the catalog of Tame Impala singer/ songwriter/ producer Kevin Parker, who has also worked extensively with Dua Lipa, Rihanna, SZA, Kendrick Lamar Gorillaz and more. The deal, which expands the company’s 15-year partnership with Parker, encompasses his entire catalog of songs as well as future works. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Sony Pictures Entertainment has seen operating income fall nearly 10% for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024.

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau Chief Sony Group Corporation saw its sales climb by 19% to JPY13.0 trillion in its financial year to March 2024, boosted by a sharp depreciation of the Japanese currency. Net profits for the group were down 3% to JPY971 billion. It was a similar scenario at Sony’s ‘pictures division,’ which comprises theatrical film, TV networks and television content production.

Kate Middleton is next in line to become Queen as her husband Prince William is heir to the throne, and it's been reported that she's already thought about who would become her Lady-in-Waiting.The significant royal role is to provide companionship and support, as well as help with royal duties. A royal expert has suggested that the Princess of Wales might consider appointing her sister Pippa Matthews as her Lady-in-Waiting as she steps into a more prominent position within the Royal Family. Unlike her previous engagements where Kate did not rely on ladies-in-waiting or companions, the situation may change, especially with her future as Queen in view, reports the Mirror.

Jazz Tangcay Artisans Editor Sony Pictures Entertainment has completed state-of-the-art upgrades to its mix stages. Among the soundstages that underwent substantial improvements are the Cary Grant, William Holden, Kim Novak, Burt Lancaster, Anthony Quinn and Jimmy Stewart theaters, as well as Dub Stage 17.

Sony Pictures Television announced that the syndicated extension of Good Morning Football will launch on Fox Television Stations this September.

Craig Revel Horwood is famed for his sharp tongue on Strictly Come Dancing, so it comes as no surprise that he's found himself embroiled in feuds over the years.The judge has been part of the BBC One show since it began airing 20 years ago, and has cemented himself as the harshest critic on the panel. There's one professional dancer Craig, 59, has never seen eye to eye with however, and he's even admitted he considers him to be an "enemy". He has now revealed how his feud with former Strictly star Brendan Cole came about - and it was all down to an unimpressive dance.

Leo Barraclough International Features Editor Morgan Freeman will receive the Crystal Nymph Award at the Monte-Carlo Television Festival, which runs June 14-18 in Monaco. Freeman will receive the award at the opening ceremony from Prince Albert II of Monaco, in recognition of his television career.

Universal Pictures has hired Vanity Fair’s West Coast Director Britt Hennemuth as their new SVP of Production Development and Special Projects. 

EXCLUSIVE: Veteran Sony Pictures Television (SPT) executive Steve Kent is leaving his role to focus solely on The Young and the Restless.

Todd Spangler NY Digital Editor In the latest twist in Paramount Global‘s M&A saga, Sony Pictures Entertainment and Apollo Global Management reportedly have made a bid to take Paramount private with an all-cash buyout offer of $26 billion. Sony and private-equity giant Apollo submitted an offer letter Wednesday to Paramount Global, the Wall Street Journal reported Thursday. The report comes as Paramount Global board’s special committee established to consider M&A proposals is evaluating the best and final offer from Skydance Media to merge Paramount and Skydance, while keeping Paramount Global public.

EXCLUSIVE: Wednesday and Elvis producer Gail Berman, founder and CEO of The Jackal Group, has signed a three-year overall deal with Sony Pictures Television. Under the pact, which starts today, the industry veteran will develop and produce scripted series for cable and streaming platforms.

Naman Ramachandran Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) has signed a one-year deal that is a mix of exclusive and non-exclusive library titles for the Pakistan market with streamer Begin. Backed by venture accelerator Z2C Limited, Begin is an SVOD platform that serves the Southwest Asian region, with licensed deals in live sports and entertainment.

EXCLUSIVE: Beetlejuice Beetlejuice writers and creators of the smash hit Netflix series Wednesday, Alfred Gough and Miles Millar, have signed a first-look deal with Sony Pictures to develop films through the duo’s Millar Gough Ink banner, Deadline has learned.

Sony’s SVP of Corporate Communications for the Motion Picture Group, Tahra Grant, has been upped to EVP, Chief Communcations Officer for Sony Pictures Entertainment.

The Princess of Wales was reportedly asked to alter the spelling of her name due to a clash with King Charles and Queen Camilla. In her role, the princess is one of the most globally recognisable women and is widely known by her nickname Kate. However, her real name is Catherine, which is how nearly all members of the Royal Family, including her husband Prince William, refer to her.

Leo Barraclough International Features Editor The Monte-Carlo Television Festival will present its International Golden Nymph for Most Promising Talent to British actor Simone Ashley at its opening ceremony on June 14. The award recognizes the “exceptional rising talent of an actor who has elevated the bar of excellence to international acclaim.” Ashley is known for portraying Kate Sharma, the female lead of Season 2 of the Netflix series “Bridgerton.” She reprises her role in Season 3, which premieres next month.

Sony Pictures Entertainment has hired Jill Ratner as their EVP and General Counsel, overseeing all of the studio’s legal functions, compliance and labor relations, SPE music affairs, government/external matters, and corporate social responsibility teams.