Brian Cox Signs Sony Digital Studio Deal — SkimNews
Get the Culture newsletter
Daily culture — film, music, books, the trends and ideas worth your attention. Free.
- Brian Cox struck a long-term content deal with Sony Pictures Television International Production's Digital Studio, marking the first time his work will be created specifically for digital platforms.
- Sony's Digital Studio announced the partnership as its second major creator pact, following its first deal with Minecraft creator Tom Simons (TommyInnit), and will develop original science, astronomy and culture formats around Cox.
- Sony's digital studio launched last year under former BBC Studios and Channel 4 executives Sacha Khari and Matt Ford, with a remit to engage UK creators, develop digital originals and build creator partnerships.
- Cox already reaches audiences directly through a YouTube channel of more than 16,000 subscribers and has fronted BBC science series including Stargazing Live, The Planets and Brian Cox's Adventures in Space and Time.
- The TommyInnit deal has produced a 100 Questions YouTube series featuring guests including Cox and Stephen Fry — the same studio output model being extended to the Cox partnership.
- Cox said the collaboration aims to deliver 'high quality, intellectually challenging, informative and entertaining content' across 'as many platforms as possible,' with Khari and Ford calling him 'better than anyone' at making complex science accessible.
Why it matters: Sony's Digital Studio is still in its first year and is building its creator roster with high-prestige, BBC-tier talent — adding Cox alongside TommyInnit signals SPT is treating the digital studio as a serious front-of-house business, not a side project, competing with the BBC's own expanding YouTube science slate for audiences who are migrating to creator-led video.
Ask SkimNews
