Sony Pictures Entertainment is upping its head of television Ravi Ahuja to president and chief operating officer of the entire studio.
While not explicitly stated by SPE chairman and CEO Tony Vinciquerra in his internal memo regarding Ahuja’s appointment to the No. 2 role, it is a clear indication of Vinciquerra’s succession plan for when he ultimately decides to retire from his top post in the coming years.
Ahuja, currently the chairman of Sony global television studios and corporate development, will take on his new responsibilities beginning April 1 and shift to Sony’s Poitier Building in Culver City, while still retaining his position as chief of Sony Pictures Television.
He will continue reporting directly to Vinciquerra, and their respective lines of reports and leadership will not be changed as a result of the promotion. Tom Rothmanremains in his role as chairman and CEO of Sony Pictures Entertainment’s motion picture group, reporting to Vinciquerra.
Under Ahuja, Sony has established a dedicated game show production group led by iconic brands “Wheel of Fortune” and “Jeopardy!” and built out Sony-owned scripted franchises including “The Boys,” “Outlander” and “Cobra Kai.” He’s also grown Sony TV’s collaboration with Sony’s highly profitable gaming arm through projects with PlayStation Productions, including HBO’s “The Last of Us” and Peacock’s “Twisted metal,” as well as upcoming TV adaptations “God of War” at Amazon Prime Video and “Horizon Zero Dawn” at Netflix.
Sony Pictures Television acquisitions during Ahuja’s tenure include Industrial Media (now Sony Pictures Television Nonfiction), VFX company Pixomondo and UK-based drama production company Bad Wolf.
Prior to joining Sony in 2021, Ahuja was Disney TV’s president of business operations and chief financial officer. Before that, he was CFO of Fox Networks Group.
“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,” Vinciquerra said in a memo to staff Wednesday. “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.”
“I came here three years ago from Disney, and when I came, I knew it’d be really great, but it’s exceeded expectations,” Ahuja told PvNew. “In the time that I’ve been here we’ve done really well, and it’s been a lot of fun amid a very challenging time for the industry. So I look forward to continuing to work closely with Tony and the SPE team as we chart the future path or our company. We have a good strategy, we’re going to continue on that and look for more ways to grow.”
See Vinciquerra’s memo to SPE staff regarding Ahuja’s promotion to president and COO below.
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
