Press Releases

London, 23 August, 2012 - Sony Pictures Television (SPT) today announced it has taken a majority stake in British production company Left Bank Pictures, signalling a significant move into scripted production in the UK. Under this new agreement, SPT will also distribute future Left Bank Pictures television content, both finished programming and formats, and will have a first look distribution option on feature films produced by the company.

Since its inception, Left Bank Pictures' success in the international marketplace has been matched by recognition at awards ceremonies from BAFTA and RTS to the Golden Globes and Emmys.

Left Bank Pictures is one of the UK's leading producers of scripted television programmes and has developed international co productions with partners such as HBO and Mediaset. Its impressive track record of successes includes Wallander (BBC), Mad Dogs (Sky), Strike Back (Sky/HBO Cinemax), Cardinal Burns (E4) and DCI Banks (ITV) which have received critical acclaim and ratings success all over the world.

Announcing the deal, SPT's president of international production, Andrea Wong, said: "I'm very excited to welcome Left Bank Pictures to our global production family. Powered by the outstanding creative talent of Andy, Marigo and their team, Left Bank is justifiably admired in the UK and internationally, making it the perfect complement to our diverse UK portfolio."

Andy Harries said: "This is a brilliant opportunity for Left Bank and we are thrilled by the new partnership with SPT. I am a huge admirer of Andrea Wong and her energy and enthusiasm for our work is incredibly encouraging. This marks the start of a new phase of ambitious quality drama from us for the international market place."

Marigo Kehoe added: "Andrea Wong has a clear vision of SPT's future as a content provider in the global marketplace and has an impressive take on both the business and creative sides of the business. We are excited by the potential of this new partnership."

Andy Harries and Marigo Kehoe will continue to lead Left Bank Pictures from its existing London office, and Harries will now report into Wong.

The company's film arm is behind independent titles such as the Aung San Suu Kyi biopic, The Lady (with Europacorp), the acclaimed adaptation of David Peace's The Damned United (Columbia Pictures) and All In Good Time (Studio Canal) - based on Ayub Khan Din's hit National Theatre production.

Left Bank Pictures was founded in 2007 by Andy Harries (chief executive officer) and Marigo Kehoe (managing director) following the success of their time at Granada and ITV Studios which produced Prime Suspect, Cold Feet, The Royle Family and the Academy Award winning film The Queen.

Left Bank Pictures is SPT's fourth UK production venture, joining Gogglebox Entertainment, Victory Television and Silver River. Other markets outside the US where SPT produces scripted television locally include Germany, Russia, the Netherlands, The Middle East and across Latin America. Globally, SPT's international production arm operates wholly owned and joint venture companies in 15 countries covering Europe, Latin America, Asia and the Middle East.

ENDS

Notes to Editors

ABOUT SONY PICTURES TELEVISION

Sony Pictures Television is one of the television industry's leading content providers. It produces and distributes programming in every genre, including series, telefilms, theatrical releases and family entertainment around the world and for every platform: broadcast and cable television, first-run and off-network syndication and digital distribution. In addition to one of the industry's largest libraries of feature films and television shows, SPT boasts a current program slate that includes the top-rated daytime dramas and game shows, landmark off-network series, original animated series and critically acclaimed primetime dramas, comedies and telefilms. Internationally, SPT produces 6,000+ hours of programming annually in over 70 countries. SPT is a leader in local language productions, some of which are co-produced with local partners, and sells SPE-owned formats around the world. SPT also maintains offices in 32 countries to better serve its clients and partners on a global scale. SPT's worldwide television networks portfolio is a key strategy in SPE's long-range commitment to the global marketplace, with 124 channel feeds, which are available in 159 countries reaching more than 800 million households worldwide. SPT also creates original content for and manages SPE's premium video website, Crackle. Additionally, SPT owns production company Embassy Row, Sony Movie Channel and Cine Sony Television, and is a part owner of cable channel GSN, 3D channel 3net, FEARnet, the premier horror/thriller website and VOD service, and national media sales company ITN Networks, Inc. SPT advertiser sales is one of the premiere national advertising sales companies, handling the commercial inventory in SPT's syndicated series as well as in all of SPE's digital businesses in the United States. SPT (www.sonypicturestelevision.com) is a Sony Pictures Entertainment company.

ABOUT LEFT BANK PICTURES

Left Bank Pictures is a multi award-winning film and television independent production company set up by Chief Executive Andy Harries and Managing Director Marigo Kehoe. Established in 2007 with BBC WorldWide as a minority stakeholder, in less than five years it has built up a creative team with a wealth of experience in British filmmaking and broadcasting. It has produced major drama series for the BBC / WGBH, ITV1, Sky1 HD, and HBO / Cinemax, two comedy series for E4 and motion pictures for Sony Pictures, Europacorp and Optimum Releasing with many more projects in development.

Named Best Independent Production Company at the Broadcast Awards in 2011, Left Bank Pictures has a portfolio of films and series have been recognised by the Golden Globes, Emmy's, Academy Awards, BAFTA and Royal Television Society amongst many other award ceremonies. Working with the UK's leading writing, directing and on-screen talent to produce bold, innovative feature films, television dramas and cutting edge comedy Left Bank Pictures prides itself on nurturing and championing exciting new talent set to create the hits of tomorrow.

For further information, please contact:

Mark Macdonald
Executive Director, Communications
Sony Pictures Television
Mark_macdonald@spe.sony.com
+44 20 7533 1363