Sony Pictures takes stake in Whisper

Sony Pictures Television has taken a stake in the UK-based production company Whisper Group. The investment comes as the UK public broadcaster Channel 4 divests itself of its start-up investment in Whisper that was made through the broadcaster’s Indie Growth Fund. 

Whisper was founded by former F1 driver David Coulthard, TV presenter Jake Humphrey and producer Sunil Patel. It secured the contract to produce Channel 4’s F1 coverage and has expanded into a range of other sports and production genres. 

“Whisper have become one of the most talked-about production companies in the U.K.,” said Wayne Garvie, president of international production at Sony Pictures Television. “Very quickly, they have established themselves as an innovative leader in sports content. We are thrilled to be joining Sunil, David, Jake and the team in helping to take Whisper to the next level.”

“Sport is at our heart and we’ll remain committed to immersive sports broadcasting,” commented Sunil Patel, Whisper co-founder and CEO. “However, we have other ambitions, which this move can help us to realise. We are keen to grow internationally and to develop formats that can help build an exciting IP catalogue.”

Whisper won the AIBs sport award in 2016.