Three years after arriving to Sony Pictures, Ravi Ahuja, has been named President and Chief Operating Officer of Sony Pictures Entertainment, effective April 1.
The executive, who is currently Chairman, Global Television Studios and Corporate Development is being promoted to a position that hasn’t been previously filled.
While Sony Pictures Entertainment didn’t comment on succession planning, Ahuja’s promotion has all the marks of exactly that in regards to who will ultimately take the reigns post Tony Vinciquerra‘s tenure as SPE Chairman and CEO. Duly note that Vinciquerra is not leaving the studio anytime soon.
Ahuja will keep his current Chairman role and title at Sony Pictures Television and continue to report to Vinciquerra.
Similar to Vinciquerra, Ahuja is a Fox Networks vet where the duo worked together. Ahuja joined Fox in 2007 in what was a 12-year run after serving as CFO of Virgin Entertainment Group. As CFO of the Fox Networks Group, Ahuja oversaw finance, strategy and business development for all its business units: Twentieth Century Fox Television, Fox Broadcasting, Fox Cable Networks, Fox Sports, National Geographic and Fox Networks Europe and Africa, Latin America and Asia.
Sony Pictures Television (SPT) under Ahuja’s leadership has posted great growth across its divisions, expanding the studios’ global production capabilities and more than doubling the number of shows produced by the studio. SPT now makes hundreds of shows across scripted, unscripted, kids programs and game shows around the world. Ahuja has shaped SPT’s content strategy, focusing on its strengths as an independent studio while navigating the realities of today’s TV business. Among the big franchises that have flourished during his reign are The Boys, Outlander and Cobra Kai. Ahuja also bolstered collaboration with PlayStation Productions, leveraging the company’s IP: The Last of Us, debuted as the second most watched HBO series premiere in the last 13 years, while Twisted Metal is a hit comedy for Peacock for SPT with two new projects underway, God of War and Horizon Zero Dawn. SPT earned 53 Primetime Emmy nominations last year, including three Outstanding Drama Series nominees (The Last of Us, Better Call Saul, The Crown), while Jeopardy! won the Emmy for Outstanding Game Show for the fourth year in a row. Also, last year, The Night Agent was the #1 original on Netflix around the world.
As part of SPT’s growth, Ahuja established a dedicated Game Show production group boosted by such franchises as Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy!, which both scored landmark renewal deals from ABC’s Owned and Operated stations this past year.
On the M&A side, Ahuja’s strategic growth moves included the acquisition of Industrial Media (now SPT – Nonfiction), home to popular unscripted franchises including American Idol, So You Think You Can Dance, and 90 Day Fiancé.
There was also the absorption of Pixomondo, the Oscar and Emmy Award winning virtual production, visualization, and VFX company, in addition to the acquisition of Bad Wolf, one of the premiere drama producers in the UK.
Here’s the email from Vinciquerra:
Dear colleagues,
I am pleased to announce that Ravi Ahuja, Chairman, Global Television Studios and Corporate Development is being appointed to President and Chief Operating Officer (COO) for Sony Pictures Entertainment, effective April 1. Ravi will retain his current Chairman role and title at Sony Pictures Television and continue to report to me.
Since joining SPE in 2021 after holding leadership positions at Disney (President, Business Operations and CFO for Walt Disney TV) and Fox (CFO of Fox Networks Group), Ravi has consistently brought to bear his vast experience, knowledge, and expertise to help guide our operations and overall corporate direction. From reorienting our television businesses to better align with the realities of today’s TV landscape, to leveraging and expanding our popular franchises and game show IP, to seeking out new areas of growth through M&A, Ravi’s strategic insight and ability to drive execution have been instrumental in enhancing our businesses and preparing SPE for an even stronger future. In this expanded role as COO, Ravi will be able to apply his talents and results-driven approach across the breadth of SPE’s businesses.
Ravi will be moving to Poitier to work more closely with me and our entire leadership team as we chart our path forward through a rapidly changing and increasingly complex entertainment industry.
Ravi’s current oversight and reporting lines at SPT and in SPE Corporate Development will remain unchanged. In addition, my leadership team will also continue reporting directly to me.
Please join me in congratulating Ravi on this well-deserved appointment.
Tony
