Sony Pictures Television’s unscripted division is undergoing a big shakeup.
Eli Holzman and Aaron Saidman, who have lead Sony Pictures TV Nonfiction for the past four years, are departing the studio. The nonfiction unit will be folded into Sony Pictures TV Studios president Katherine Pope’s portfolio, SPT chairman Keith Le Goy wrote in a memo to staff Wednesday.
“Over the past four years, Eli and Aaron have played a critical role in shaping and expanding our nonfiction portfolio,” Le Goy wrote. “Their leadership elevated the division and enhanced our slate during a period of significant industry change. We are grateful for their partnership and look forward to continuing to work together in the future.” (Read the memo in full below.)
Holzman and Saidman, who were prolific producers prior to joining Sony, are set to return to that side of the business.
Holzman and Saidman were named president and co-president of SPT Nonfiction in 2022, after Sony acquired their Industrial Media in a deal valued at $350 million. Prior to that, Holzman and Saidman led unscripted production company The Intellectual Property Corp., which merged with Core Media in 2018 to form Industrial Media.
Sony’s unscripted portfolio, which will now fall under Pope’s direction, include American Idol (which it co-produces with Fremantle), the 90 Day Fiancé franchise, Shark Tank and Fox’s Extracted, among many others. Among the production outfits under SPT Nonfiction are Sharp Entertainment, Embassy Row, B17 Entertainment, 19 Entertainment, This Machine, Maxine Productions, Brass Monkeys Media, and Rebel Minds Media.
Sony’s game show division, which includes Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune, will remain under Suzanne Prete.
I’m writing to share an important update regarding our Sony Pictures Television Nonfiction business.
Eli Holzman and Aaron Saidman will be transitioning from their roles at SPT to pursue their next entrepreneurial venture. Over the past four years, Eli and Aaron have played a critical role in shaping and expanding our nonfiction portfolio. Their leadership elevated the division and enhanced our slate during a period of significant industry change. We are grateful for their partnership and look forward to continuing to work together in the future.
Looking ahead, Katherine Pope will expand her role as President of Sony Pictures Television Studios to include oversight of the SPT Nonfiction division, alongside her leadership of our scripted and kids businesses. Katherine has built an incredible track record of bringing premium content to market and building enduring partnerships with top-tier talent that has consistently positioned the studio at the forefront of the industry. Integrating nonfiction under her leadership will further align our creative operations, accelerate collaboration across teams, and enable us to unlock greater long-term value across the portfolio.
SPT Nonfiction continues to be a dynamic and growing part of our business, with a robust portfolio that includes companies such as Sharp Entertainment, Embassy Row, B17 Entertainment, 19 Entertainment, This Machine, Maxine Productions, Brass Monkeys Media, and Rebel Minds Media that are behind incredible series such as American Idol, Shark Tank, the 90 Day Fiancé franchise, Watch What Happens Live, Extracted, On Brand with Jimmy Fallon, Quiet on Set, Martha, and the upcoming unscripted adaptation of Clue. With Katherine’s leadership and the strength of our creative teams, we are well positioned to build on this momentum and continue growing the Nonfiction business.
Thank you for your continued dedication as we move into this next chapter together.
