ANDY KAPLAN, PRESIDENT, SONY PICTURES TELEVISION NETWORKS, NAMED CHAIR FOR THE 45TH INTERNATIONAL EMMY® AWARDS GALA

NEW YORK, August 24, 2017 – Sony Pictures Television Networks president Andy Kaplan, a Director of the International Academy, will serve as Gala Chair for the 45th International Emmy® Awards, which will take place on Monday, November 20, 2017 in New York City. Kaplan oversees Sony Pictures Television Networks’ distinguished portfolio of popular branded entertainment channels reaching nearly two billion subscribers around the world.

Kaplan will preside over the Gala, during which the International Academy will recognize programming in eleven program categories and present Special Awards to Kevin Spacey and Emilio Azcárraga Jean. Spacey is a two-time Academy Award winning actor and producer and star of hit series House of Cards. Azcárraga is Chairman of the Board, President and CEO of Grupo Televisa, the world’s largest Spanish-language content provider and Mexico’s largest broadcaster and pay television provider. Spacey will receive the Founders Emmy and Azcárraga will receive the Directorate Emmy.

“Andy and I have worked together on many projects over the years and I greatly admire his professionalism and knowledge of the business,” said Bruce L. Paisner, President & CEO of the International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. “We’re proud to have him as our 2017 Gala Chair.”

“I am honored to chair this year’s gala, an unparalleled showcase for the kind of emerging global talent we celebrate on Sony’s worldwide media networks. The International Emmy Awards is a truly special event, one that takes pride in honoring extraordinary creators and visionaries whose work touches fans across the globe in a deep and meaningful way,” said Kaplan.

Based at Sony Pictures headquarters in Culver City, California, Kaplan leads the company’s global television networks and investments, with over 180 channel feeds reaching nearly two billion subscribers around the world. Under Kaplan’s leadership, Sony’s networks portfolio has rapidly grown to include some of the most popular media brands in North America, Asia, Europe, Latin America and Africa, including Crackle, the multi-platform streaming service with popular TV shows, original series and feature films available on every screen; GSN, which offers original and classic game show programming and an online digital game platform; AXN, offering international audiences the best in U.S. entertainment with an edge; ANIMAX, the premiere brand in Japanese anime; and Sony Channel, representing the best quality U.S. entertainment.

In addition to his role at the International Academy of Television, Arts & Sciences, Kaplan additionally serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors of NATPE, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Zimmer Children’s Museum, and Chairman of the Board of Governors for the USC Annenberg School’s Center for the Digital Future, as well as a member of the Board of Directors for and the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television.

The 2017 International Emmy® Nominees will be announced late September. This year’s sponsors, to date, include, Ernst & Young, Globo, Mipcom, Phoenix Satellite Television, Sofitel and Variety.

About The International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences

The International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences is a membership based organization comprised of leading media and entertainment figures from over 60 countries and 500 companies from all sectors of television including internet, mobile and technology. The Academy’s yearly schedule of events includes the prestigious International Emmy® Awards held in New York, The International Emmy® Kids Awards at MIPTV and a series of industry events such as Academy Day, The International Emmy® World Television Festival and Panels on substantive industry topics. The International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences recognizes excellence in television produced outside of the United States, as well as US Primetime programs produced in languages other than English, with the prestigious Emmy® Award. Currently celebrating programming across varied areas including: Arts Programming, Current Affairs, Comedy, Documentary, Drama Series, News, Non-Scripted Entertainment, Telenovela, and TV Movie/Mini-Series, it also recognizes excellence in Performances, Kids programming and Digital. For more information, go to www.iemmys.tv

About Sony Pictures Television Networks

Sony Pictures Television Networks operates branded entertainment channels reaching nearly two billion subscribers around the world. Based in Culver City, Amsterdam, Budapest, London, Madrid, Miami, Milan, Moscow, Mumbai, Munich, Singapore and Tokyo, Sony’s linear and digital networks offer high quality film and television content from Sony Pictures and third-parties, as well as original content commissioned globally and locally. Sony Pictures Television Networks is a division of Sony Pictures Television Inc., a Sony Pictures Entertainment company.

 
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