Sony Pictures Television has exited its ownership stake in The Whisper Group, with the production company, which focuses on sports, docs, branded content, and more in the unscripted space, returning to private ownership.
SPT has been an investor in Whisper for five years, owning a 30% cut of the business, which delivered record revenues and profits last year. It will use external financing to power its next stage of growth under private ownership, led by CEO Sunil Patel, who co-founded the firm with Jake Humphrey and David Coulthard in 2010.
“Five years ago, Whisper set off on a journey to become a multi-genre production company,” Patel said. “That has been absolutely delivered—creatively, commercially and culturally—with revenue up nearly 500%. It would not have been possible without our bold vision and partnership with Sony, which helped elevate Whisper to a truly global force, so huge thanks to Wayne [Garvie] and the wider Sony team. It was that collaboration, alongside our valued partners, that has helped us create a scalable business telling ambitious stories that entertain and impact the world. All delivered by our industry-leading team. The next chapter of Whisper’s story is already underway, and that will continue to place our people at the heart by ensuring they share in future growth alongside shareholders. The platform is set, as is the team. Now it’s time to go make it happen once again.”
Garvie, president of international production at Sony Pictures Television, added: “Dynamic, collaborative, innovative, over the last decade, Whisper has become one of the leading global production companies in their field. We have had a brilliant partnership for five years, from Wheel of Fortune to Wimbledon, so many great moments and I’m sure that the many parts of the wider Sony family will continue to find ways of working with The Whisper Group, as we will in International production.
