Sony Pictures TV President Katherine Pope Still Bullish on Biz Amid Disruptions, Says ‘Creative Production, Budgetary Friction,’ a ‘Good Thing’

As a seasoned TV enthusiast with decades of industry experience under my belt, I find Katherine Pope‘s optimistic outlook on the future of television truly invigorating. Her tenure at Sony Pictures Television, particularly during these turbulent times, mirrors my own journey in this ever-evolving landscape. Just like her, I’ve seen the industry shift from a handful of channels to a smorgasbord of content, and now back to a more focused approach – a rollercoaster ride that I wouldn’t trade for anything!


As a devoted admirer speaking up, I share Katherine Pope’s enthusiasm about TV’s future. She believes that the current upheavals affecting the global television business will ultimately prove beneficial in the long run. In her view, this is an opportune time for visionary creatives to make their mark and demonstrate their brilliance.

As a fan, I can empathize with Pope’s perspective: the sheer abundance of shows (approximately 750 premiering simultaneously) made it incredibly challenging to stand out and break through. However, I share his optimism that this constriction could lead to a more favorable time for creators, as it may help streamline the content landscape and make it easier for quality work to shine.

During an extensive talk with Paolo Ciccarelli, head of drama at MIA, Pope conceded that pessimism still lingers in various circles. She partially attributed this to “the after-effects of the prosperous period,” but proposed that the streamlined business model from a past TV era, when she was learning her craft at NBC and NBCUniversal, could potentially revitalize the industry.

She mentioned that some of the strictness from the old system is returning, and she finds this beneficial. For her, financial constraints in creative work often lead to surprising solutions.

The seasoned television leader reminisced about starting with Sony in 2022 as the head of their TV department, during a particularly turbulent phase for the business. This was when the world of television was undergoing nearly unmatched adjustments and upheaval on a global scale.

Following Jeff Frost’s departure, Pope has led Sony with success, releasing popular series such as “The Boys,” “Outlander,” and “The Last of Us.” She attributes this consistency to Sony’s unwavering focus, stating that they didn’t become sidetracked by the streaming wars or take on unnecessary projects. Instead, their goal has been to create exceptional television shows worldwide.

Teasing anticipated upcoming projects such as the live-action Spider-Man series “Noir,” starring Nicolas Cage, which has been ordered to series at MGM+ and Prime Video, and the “Outlander” prequel “Blood of My Blood,” Pope pointed to a sprawling portfolio of IP across the company’s games, music and features divisions that has helped fuel the production of “loud, audacious, unique, specific, visionary shows.”

In this chaos of constant communication and disruptions faced by creators like myself, it can be overwhelming to discern the right move forward,” I admit. However, our approach is straightforward – we focus on creating TV shows, plain and simple. If we succeed in this endeavor, it means we, as a team, have triumphed together.

Addressing an audience predominantly composed of European industry experts in Rome, the Pope acknowledged Netflix for successfully “making international series popular” and expressed optimism towards the future of regional language productions, pointing out: “The globe seems smaller in this regard now.

In the global business of Hollywood, Sony’s cost-conscious decisions have inevitably influenced their overseas deals. Pope admitted that they often consider the affordability factor more for international productions, but when it comes to striking agreements with other buyers, they prioritize what best suits each show. This may sometimes lead to accepting deals that are less profitable.

If the location where the show is produced is secure for long-term protection, it’s not just about immediate success. Our goal is to create an enduring legacy, shows that will remain part of Sony’s collection for the next century. Therefore, we need to be careful and thoughtful in our approach.

On occasion, when it’s not the most advantageous offer, but it’s the ideal place and perfectly suited for its longevity, we’d go ahead with that option,” she explained.

This year’s MIA Market has seen a variety of feelings, with one executive commenting that “survive till ’25” remains the guiding principle for many film and TV professionals. After five years of pandemic disruptions, labor disputes, and streaming competitions, Pope maintains a positive outlook on the industry’s resilience in overcoming adversity.

She mentioned that they’re embarking on an enterprise of innovation, which is always in flux. As soon as you believe you understand it fully, something unexpected happens. That’s what keeps it interesting and thrilling.

Rome’s MIA Market takes place Oct. 14 – 18 in Rome.

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2024-10-16 21:20