SPT buys Real Housewives firm 32 Flavors

Sony Pictures Television (SPT) has bolstered its unscripted line-up by acquiring a majority stake in the producer of The Real Housewives of Orange County and Vanderpump Rules, 32 Flavors.

The company was founded three years ago after founder Alex Baskin departed Amazon-backed Evolution Media and is also behind The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, The Valley.

Its slate also includes spinoff The Valley: Persian Style, Bravo’s Still Flipping Out and Netflix podcast Shut Up Evan.

Baskin will remain chief exec and the company’s senior exec team is also staying in place.

The deal comes two months after SPT’s former unscripted chiefs Eli Holzman and Aaron Saidman stepped down from the US studio, with SPT Nonfiction now under Katherine Pope’s Sony Pictures Television Studios.

Pope described Baskin as “one of the most passionate and hardest-working people in this business, with an impressive track record of building durable, culture-driving franchises.”

She added: “As the market evolves, we see real opportunity in premium nonfiction, and 32 Flavors strengthens our ability to deliver high-impact, returnable formats that connect with audiences and buyers around the world.”

Baskin said 32 Flavors had been on “a remarkable trajectory” of late and that “with Sony’s support, we expect that momentum to accelerate meaningfully.”

He continued: “The company is built on a clear creative vision and a track record of creating and sustaining culturally resonant programming across formats, and Sony’s scale, track record, and talent-first approach allow us to build on that momentum at a greater level without compromising the integrity and entrepreneurial spirit that defines the company.”

32 Flavors joins SPT-owned unscripted entities including American Idol producer 19 Entertainment and 90 Day Finace label Sharp Enertainment. Its gameshows unit - producer of series such as Jeopardy - continues to be led by president Suzanne Prete, who reports into SPT chairman exec Keith Le Goy.