Sony Pictures TV partners with Nigeria’s EbonyLife to take African scripted global

Mo Abudu

Sony Pictures Television’s (SPT) international production division has forged an exclusive two-year first-look deal with Nigerian media company EbonyLife Media in a pact intended to bring African stories to global audiences.

The agreement, which commenced last month, will see the two companies partner to develop scripted series focused on African culture, with SPT getting the first look on all new EbonyLife-controlled scripted TV projects created, originated, or developed by or for EbonyLife and intended for global audiences.

EbonyLife Media encompasses EbonyLife TV, EbonyLife Films, and EbonyLife Studios and is focused on creating original content that “showcases a pioneering and progressive Africa” with the goal of becoming “the most influential storyteller of a new Africa.”

This is the second deal that SPT has struck with EbonyLife, following a three-project co-development/production pact in 2018. The first project announced as part of that development deal is a series inspired by the story of the Dahomey Warriors.

“It’s been an absolute pleasure working with Sony Pictures Television over the last few years, and we are so pleased to be deepening our partnership with them,” said Mo Abudu, CEO of EbonyLife Media. “Taking African storytelling to global audiences is something we are very passionate about, and this new opportunity with Sony gives us a chance to reach massive audiences worldwide with our scripted TV series.”

Nina Lederman, SPT’s EVP of global scripted development said that the company was excited “help bring their soulful African storytelling to platforms serving a global audience.”