Sony has rubbished rumours that it's on the verge of merging its movie division with its gaming business. The story, which broke on the New York Post, proposes a plan in which the Sony Pictures and Sony Interactive Entertainment subsidiaries would be merged into one entity under the leadership of current PlayStation chief Andrew House.
The story all appears to stem from the fact that the Japanese giant's gaming business is soaring, while its movie business is in dire straits. Despite having some big brands under its umbrella, Sony Pictures currently sits fifth in the list of distributors for box office receipts, while the PlayStation 4 is obviously rewriting the record books three years removed from its release.
But a spokesperson for Sony says that there's no truth to it: "This is nothing but baseless rumour and speculation. There are no plans for Andrew House to oversee Sony Pictures." An outright denial from the organisation, then – but it's not exactly going to come out and confirm plans if it's not ready to officially announce them, is it?
Personally, we very much hope that this remains "baseless rumour and speculation". It's easy to understand why, after the job he's done with the PS4, upper-management reckon House's guidance could aid other divisions. But he has his work cut out keeping PlayStation at the top as it is; the thought of him dividing his time between PlayStation and Sony Pictures as well is worrying.
[source nypost.com]
Comments 10
As ive said, only one part of Sony is highly profitable. The rest is adequate like phones and consumer electronics, or flat out bleeding money - movies.
If they did it, it would be wise. Get more cash for both to thrive and maybe have good game based movies. Or movie based games.
I dont think it would hurt. Sony should downsize though, they arent as big and bottomless as people think. Thats just the Playstation brand.
The movie side of the business makes some really terrible movies and not terrible ones that people go and actually see ones that just bomb. The more sony splits its business into seperate parts the better. The TV side have made some good programs though.
A denial normally means it will happen.
So... No sewer shark reboot? darn.
Seriously, how could this merger be a good idea?
What are some of the famous movies Sony Pictures has produced?
The only ones I know is Spiderman and Ghostbusters.
Lately, Sony has been known for re-structuring parts of their company to work more efficiently. So while they're saying it's a baseless rumor, something must've stirred it up to begin with.
@Xaessya Technically James Bond plus there's Columbia picture's portfolio.
As long as it doesn't effect the PlayStation side of the business then fine.
PS is the main money puller for Sony. Sony pictures, sadly is not, along with a lot of other things they do.
Personally I think they should just stick with PlayStation and movies. Drop everything else. But then that is MASSIVE unemployment from Sony world over. Catch 22 an all that
@BLP_Software It's not true. Kaz Hirai really cut the bloat and most of Sony is profitable these days, they're just not the juggernaut they were a few decades ago.
Sony Pictures is one of the last areas that needs to have the bloat cut down and I think that will happen but not as a merger. I can't see the commerical benefit of tying together an unprofitable arm of the business with a a profitable one.
Currently, movie studios are kept afloat by either tentpole franchises or lower budget/high revenue fair. Sony has either lost or failed franchises (Bond) or partnered up (Spiderman). I imagine it will start to lower the franchise movies and try to aim for releasing or distributing lower budget movies with a provable audience.
@Xaessya
The odd gem, but generally speaking a whoooooole lot of bum juice.
http://www.movieinsider.com/c8/sony-pictures?page_offset=0
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