Press Releases

CULVER CITY, Calif., (September 7, 2011) - Sony Pictures Television's (SPT) networks have acquired the original multi-platform series The Confession for their international channels and branded non-linear platforms. Starring multi award-winning actor Kiefer Sutherland and two-time Academy Award nominee John Hurt, The Confession will premiere on SPT's AXN-branded platforms in 125 territories and on AXN.com beginning in September. The announcement was made by Marie Jacobson, executive vice president, programming and production, networks, SPT.

AXN Korea will debut the digital series first on September 12th followed by a targeted online roll out across AXN Central Europe's 10 localized websites on September 20th with subsequent territory roll outs including Spain, Portugal, Latin America, Hong Kong, Singapore, Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and Japan. The series consists of 10 original episodes, 4 scripted back-story episodes and extensive behind-the-scenes footage. In total, almost 2 hours of original content will be available in varying formats across the channels and on AXN.com in every region.

SPT will handle additional distribution of the show worldwide and Sony Pictures Home Entertainment will handle digital and DVD distribution exclusively, outside of North America.

"The Confession is one of the highest-quality multi-platform series we've seen in our many years developing and buying content for our TV and digital platforms," said Jacobson. "The series will play great alongside AXN's biggest primetime shows and Kiefer is a killer draw for our global audience."

The Confession is a unique story of redemption and the exploration of good and evil. The story begins on Christmas Eve when a hitman (Kiefer Sutherland) enters a church to confess his sins to a priest (John Hurt). Through a series of gripping flashbacks, the Confessor's story is revealed. The audience is taken on a dramatic journey leading to the moment where one man's chance at ultimate redemption hangs in the balance. While at first the Confessor appears to be an evil, cold-blooded killing machine and the Priest the ultimate arbiter of good, both characters push the boundaries of right and wrong. Produced by Digital Broadcasting Group, The Confession is written and directed by Brad Mirman. Kiefer Sutherland, Chris Young, Joseph Gomes and Maura Mandt serve as executive producers.

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 is a leader in local language productions around the world, some of which are co-produced with local partners, and sells SPE-owned formats in approximately 70 countries. To better serve its clients and partners worldwide, SPT maintains offices throughout the world, including Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico, the Netherlands, the People's Republic of China, Russia, Singapore, Spain, Venezuela and the United Kingdom. SPT's worldwide television networks portfolio is a key strategy in SPE's long-range commitment to the global marketplace, with 120 channel feeds, which are available in more than 142 countries reaching more than 500 million households worldwide. SPT also creates original content for and manages SPE's premium video website, Crackle. Additionally, SPT owns Dutch entertainment company 2waytraffic, production company Embassy Row and Sony Movie Channel, and is a part owner of cable channel GSN, new 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.