True Crime Podcast Dives Into Sudden Overnight Deaths of 40 Patients in Missouri in the 1990s

  Listeners Can Subscribe to The Binge For The Full Season Now  

New York, NY – September 3, 2024 – Sony Music and Campside Media today announced the season premiere of Night Shift, a new season of the true crime podcast Witnessed that investigates the story behind a mysterious 500 percent increase in patient deaths at a veteran hospital in Columbia, MO in 1992. The first episode is available now, and subscribers to The Binge can listen to all episodes now.    

Hosted by crime-writer and the author of Tokyo Vice, Jake Adelstein, Witnessed: Night Shift takes listeners inside Ward 4 East at the local VA hospital where a trio of doctors discovered a suspicious increase in patient deaths all occurring in the overnight hours, with the same nurse present at their bedsides. With a personal connection to the story, Adelstein goes back to his hometown to explore the unsolved 30-year mystery of what might’ve been one of the most prolific serial killers in U.S. history, what really happened during the night shift, and why the hospital tried so hard to hide it.  

“My father was a pathologist at the Truman VA hospital and was responsible for ordering the investigation into these deaths, so I’ve felt a strong desire to investigate this story, and this suspected killer, for decades,” said host Jake Adelstein. “Shoko Plambeck my co-host on The Evaporated, and I got new access to recordings, court records, and firsthand encounters. Together on Night Shift we take a deep dive into the complexities of this case hoping to finally solve it after all this time.”  

Witnessed: Night Shift is produced by Sony Music Entertainment and Campside Media. The season is hosted by Jake Adelstein, with lead reporting by Jake Adelstein and Shoko Plambeck. Elizabeth Van Brocklin is the managing producer and Amy Plambeck is the producer at Campside Media. Michael Canyon Meyer is the story editor. Josh Dean, Vanessa Grigoriadis, Matt Shaer, Adam Hoff are the executive producers from Campside Media. Jonathan Hirsch and Catherine Saint Louis are the executive producers from Sony Music. 

Listeners can subscribe to Witnessed: Night Shift on The Binge today to listen to all episodes, all at once. Night Shift is also available on all major podcast platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Stitcher. For more information on other Sony podcasts, follow @SonyPodcasts on Twitter and Instagram.    

Before the fame: intimate origin stories from iconic names, hosted by beloved British actor and writer Cush Jumbo OBE

First two episodes with Dame Anna Wintour and Golda Rosheuvel Available Now 

New York, NY – September 3, 2024 –  Sony Music Entertainment today premiered the new podcast Origins with Cush Jumbo. With a lineup boasting the crème de la crème of entertainment royalty such as Dame Anna Wintour, Michael Kors, David Schwimmer, Kate Nash, Peter Capaldi, Poppy Delevingne, Julianna Margulies and Golda Rosheuvel, Cush effortlessly breaks down barriers to reveal genuine coming-of-age stories from our favorite superstars. Trailer can be found HERE

The new podcast will transport listeners and guests back in time – from childhood tales to teenage misadventures and early career struggles, each episode will unravel the formative moments that shaped the trajectory of success for some of the world’s most celebrated personalities.

Joining SME’s world-class podcast slate, Origins will give listeners a glimpse into lives of their favorite stars before the limelight, offering never-before-heard stories and intimate insights into their early years.

Cush Jumbo OBE is a British icon of the stage and screen, best known for her leading role in the CBS drama series The Good Wife and Paramount spin-off The Good Fight. Most recently, she has starred as Lady Macbeth opposite David Tennant at the Donmar Warehouse and as June Lenker in Apple TV+ series Criminal Record opposite Peter Capaldi.

She will bring her magnetic energy to the captivating, unique and often hilarious conversations of Origins with Cush Jumbo inviting listeners to reminisce alongside iconic names. They will experience the stars they know and love like never before. Cush’s infectious personality, wicked sense of humor, and refreshingly frank approach guarantee dynamic conversations with her A-list friends on the show.

“I am thrilled to be partnering with Sony Music to begin my podcasting journey,” said host Cush Jumbo. “Origins is all about taking my guests on a trip back down memory lane and I’m delighted that so many incredible people from across all of entertainment will join me for candid, honest and intimate 

conversations filled with laughter, tears and everything in between.” Listeners can find Origins with Cush Jumbo on all major podcast platforms, including Apple Podcasts and Spotify. For more information on Origins with Cush Jumbo and all other Sony Podcast shows, follow @SonyPodcasts on X/Twitter and Instagram.

Seoul, 23 August 2024 – Under the agreement, Sony Music Entertainment Korea will globally distribute the music of Attrakt‘s roster of artists including FIFTY FIFTY, while also overseeing global marketing campaigns and business development initiatives for the Company. To maximize the group’s worldwide impact, Arista Records will spearhead US-based marketing efforts and distribution.

Attrakt, established in 2021, has gained prominence with the rise of FIFTY FIFTY. The group’s viral hit, “Cupid,” last year became the fastest K-pop act to enter the US Billboard Hot 100 and UK Singles Chart.

“We are incredibly excited to join forces with FIFTY FIFTY and Attrakt,” said Bobby Ju, Managing Director, Sony Music Entertainment Korea.  “This partnership reflects our commitment to K-pop, and FIFTY FIFTY’s talent deserves the global reach we will bring to our partnership.”

“The worldwide popularity of K-pop is undeniable, and this partnership represents a significant step forward in maximizing its potential,” added Shridhar Subramaniam, President, Corporate Strategy and Market Development, Asia and Middle East, Sony Music Entertainment. “We believe that FIFTY FIFTY’s music will resonate deeply with audiences worldwide, and we are committed to supporting their artistic vision of becoming global superstars. This collaboration reflects the exciting future of the K-pop industry.”

David Massey, President & CEO Arista Records, added “We are thrilled to welcome FIFTY FIFTY to Arista. We have been long time fans and look forward to partnering on new music and the expansion of their global footprint.”

Chun, Hong June, Chief Executive Officer, Attrakt, expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration, stating, “Sony Music Entertainment Korea and Arista Records’ expertise will be instrumental in introducing FIFTY FIFTY to their fans worldwide and we are eager to embark on this exciting journey together. With the upcoming FIFTY FIFTY album release at the end of September, we have meticulously planned a systematic global marketing strategy to keep pushing the boundaries of K-pop’s potential and musicality to the rest of the world.”

By joining forces with Attrakt and FIFTY FIFTY, Sony Music Entertainment Korea will continue its focus on K-pop, positioning the girl band at the forefront of the genre’s worldwide expansion.  FIFTY FIFTY’s upcoming EP is slated for release in late September with a number of new tracks.

Berlin, August 19, 2024 – Sony Music today announced the promotion of Christoph Behm to CEO of the Germany, Switzerland and Austria (GSA) companies beginning September 1, 2024. Reporting to Daniel Lieberberg, President, Sony Music Continental Europe and Africa, Behm will continue to be based in Berlin. In his new role, he will oversee the GSA region’s strategy and operations. He will replace Patrick Mushatsi-Kareba who is departing the company at the end of August.

A 13 year veteran of Sony Music GSA, Behm most recently held the role of Senior Vice President of the Commercial Division for the GSA company where he has run a large team, including the successful Family Entertainment business. Over the last two years alone, his responsibility has increased to managing the important Catalog division alongside his oversight of the sales and streaming teams. 

In making the announcement, Lieberberg said, “Christoph has played an important role building and expanding our business across this region during the streaming era. He has worked closely with our artists to bring their music to new fans in innovative ways and has embraced continuous industry change to create opportunity despite rapidly shifting paradigms and business models. Christoph’s deep understanding of our DSP partners and creativity as a leader for nearly 10 years will serve him well in his new role as we always work to adapt for the future.”  

Behm said, “It fills me with pride to now lead the company that I have served in various roles for so many years. I can’t wait to get started with the excellent team at Sony Music GSA and bring out the best for our artists every day. We are at another exciting time for our industry, and I look forward with great confidence to this next chapter for Sony Music GSA.”

Behm began his career with Sony Music, joining in 2011 to manage digital sales where he worked with the Company’s artists and catalog to market their music across a variety of digital service providers (DSP). As the Company’s first key account manager for Spotify, he rose to become Head of Streaming for the GSA region in 2016. In the following years the scope of his work for the company was continuously expanded as he gained responsibility on strategic and analytical levels as well as marketing the Company’s repertoire.

Learn to play popular tracks from Dove Cameron, Hozier, Meghan Trainor, Whitney Houston and more.

PITTSBURGH  — August 15, 2024 — Duolingo, the world’s leading mobile learning platform, today announced a partnership with Sony Music that brings popular tracks to its Music course. This new feature is designed to make learning music more fun and engaging by incorporating well-known songs into the curriculum.

More than 60 recordings from Sony Music artists, like Dove Cameron, Hozier, Meghan Trainor, Whitney Houston and more, are now available so learners can study the foundations of music and practice their music theory skills, such as reading music, understanding different note lengths, and differentiating notes by sound, sight, and key on a digital mobile piano.

“At Duolingo, we’re constantly looking for ways to make learning more effective and entertaining,” said George Audi, Head of Business Development at Duolingo. “We’re partnering with Sony Music, a leader in the music industry, to bring our learners a library of chart-topping songs they can learn to read and play.”

“Partnering with Duolingo gives us the opportunity to bring our artists’ music to a new platform that promotes learning and cultural exchange,” said Jessica Shaw, Senior Vice President, Sync Licensing, Sony Music. “Music has the power to unite and inspire, and this partnership will help learners engage with music education in a meaningful and enjoyable way.”

By integrating popular songs into the lesson experience, Duolingo aims to enhance learning retention and comprehension while making learning to read and play music more delightful for millions of learners worldwide. 

To get a closer look at the updates to the Music course, tune into Duocon, the brand’s flagship global event, on September 24, 2024. Register for Duocon here. 

The Film Festival Darling is Set to Hit Theaters Throughout North America this Fall 

(New York, NY | August 6, 2024) Giant Pictures today announced the theatrical release of celebrated Luther Vandross documentary feature Luther: Never Too Much. From award-winning filmmaker Dawn Porter, the film chronicles the life and career of the iconic artist Luther Vandross as he charts his own course, becoming one of the most decorated and influential singers of all time.  

Luther: Never Too Much made an impression on both audiences and critics during its bountiful festival run this year: after its World Premiere at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival, the film made stops at the Tribeca Festival, Hot Docs International Film Festival, and Nantucket Film Festival, among many others. The film is set to release in theaters throughout North America this fall and will premiere on CNN, OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network, and Max in 2025.

The film features new interviews with a wide spectrum of artists whose lives were deeply touched by Vandross, including Mariah Carey, Jamie Foxx, Richard Marx, and Dionne Warwick, as well as over 40+ years of painstakingly curated Vandross archival footage. 

Dawn Porter said, “It was a joy to work on this film.  Luther was a spectacularly talented performer, composer and producer.  His influence was found in multiple genres, and it was a delight to discover each one.  It has been so much fun to see longtime fans remember why they love him,and new fans come to understand his brilliance.”  

Luther: Never Too Much lovingly shines a light on the Bronx-raised Vandross: the childhood Motown devotee, the budding music savant, the laser-eyed achiever, the undeniable talent. His career took off after he crashed a recording session for David Bowie’s Young Americans (1975) and ended up singing backup on the album, arranging the vocals, and having Bowie record one of his songs. He then became one of the most sought-after backup singers and record producers in the music industry, working with such artists as Chic, Dionne Warwick, Barbra Streisand, and Aretha Franklin. Vandross won eight Grammy Awards throughout his career, being nominated 31 times. Additionally, Vandross won eight American Music Awards, released 11 consecutive platinum/double platinum albums (13 overall) and achieved crossover status with eight Billboard Top 10 albums. And before any of this, Vandross and his band were recurring guest performers on Sesame Street when they were fresh out of high school.

Vandross’ hard work indeed paid off after his 1981 solo breakout R&B hit “Never Too Much,” and his stream of hits throughout the ‘80s, ‘90s, and early aughts, including “Here and Now” and “Dance with My Father.” While he was beloved by fans around the world (Oprah Winfrey being one of them, as revealed in the documentary), Luther: Never Too Much creates a layered portrayal of Vandross by exploring his personal life, health struggles, and a lifelong battle to earn the respect his music deserved. The documentary is proof positive that Vandross’ legacy has endured long after his tragic death in 2005, with an infinite number of colleagues, friends, and fans who celebrate him every day and love him in any way, shape or form.

“The whole Giant Pictures team fell in love with Luther: Never Too Much following its stellar film festival run this year. The film is a huge crowd-pleaser and a must-see, not only for existing fans of Luther Vandross, but also for those discovering his incredible talents for the first time. We are excited to partner with Sony Music, Raindog Films and CNN Films on this nationwide theatrical release” said Nick Savva, General Manager of Giant Pictures.

The deal was negotiated by Savva on behalf of Giant Pictures with Sony Music Vision. Directed and executive produced by Dawn Porter, Luther: Never Too Much is produced by Trish D Chetty and Ged Doherty for Raindog Films; Jamie Foxx and Datari Turner for Foxxhole Productions; and Leah Smith for Trilogy Films. Executive producers are Eli Holzman and Aaron Saidman for Sony Pictures Television Nonfiction; Tom Mackay and Richard Story for Sony Music Entertainment; Jon Platt and Brian Monaco for Sony Music Publishing; Colin Firth for Raindog Films; and Phil Thornton on behalf of Foxxhole Productions. Sony Music Vision is the distributor. CNN Films and OWN hold television and SVOD rights for the US and Canada.

Journalist Rachel Browne Explores the Shocking Scheme That Personally Targeted Victims All Over the World 

Listeners Can Subscribe to The Binge to Listen To The Full Season Today

New York, NY – August 1, 2024 – Sony Music Entertainment, in partnership with ITN Productions, today announced the premiere of Smoke Screen: The Greatest Scam Ever Written, the newest season of its hit investigative podcast series exploring stories of shocking deception. In this season of Smoke Screen, journalist and host Rachel Browne unpacks a complex handwritten letter scam centered around French psychic Maria Duval that victimized hundred of thousands of people globally. Subscribers to The Binge can listen to all episodes at once today. 

In The Greatest Scam Ever Written, Browne explores how the public received personalized letters from Duval claiming to bring them goodwill and fortune all for a small amount of money in return. This criminal scheme, which happened over decades, tapped into people’s desire for a better life. One victim, who suffered from dementia, began to believe that the only way to be cured was to send money through the mail. So she did. Through firsthand encounters with victims and law enforcement, this season focuses on the windy journey to discover who Maria Duval might have really been and traces the story to unveil its real roots, exposing the shocking truth behind one of the most elaborate fronts of the 21^st century.  

“The public was fascinated with the French psychic Maria Duvall and the hope she would bring them through a tailored letter about themselves,” said host and reporter Rachel Browne. “Little did they know there was a larger scheme at play and a man who showed no remorse for his attempt to make a quick fortune.” 

Smoke Screen: The Greatest Scam Ever Written is hosted by journalist, Rachel Browne. Rubina Pabani is the executive producer. Emily Jarvis is the production manager. From Sony Music Entertainment, Catherine Saint Louis is the executive producer.  

Listeners can subscribe to Smoke Screen: The Greatest Scam Ever Written on The Binge, as well as all major podcast platforms, including Apple Podcasts and Spotify. For more information on Smoke Screen: The Greatest Scam Ever Written and all other Sony Podcast shows, follow @SonyPodcasts on X/Twitter and Instagram.

First launched in 2020, the Your Voice, Your Power, Your Vote campaign informs, educates and aims to drive voter engagement.

July 31, 2024 – Sony Music Group today announced the return of Your Voice, Your Power, Your Vote in the U.S. to help educate artists, songwriters, music industry professionals, and communities across America about voter registration and turnout before the 2024 election on November 5. Initially launched in 2020, the non-partisan voter campaign encouraged civic participation and engagement around the 2020 U.S. election.

In partnership with APIAVote, Black Futures Lab, National Black Justice Collective, Rock the Vote, Vote.Org, Voto Latino, and When We All Vote, the Your Voice, Your Power, Your Vote campaign aims to mobilize and inform communities around registration and the voting process and offer educational resources to ensure that voters are ready to participate in the 2024 elections.

“2024 is another important election year in the U.S., and we know that people can make their voices heard through voting,” said Towalame Austin, Executive Vice President for Global Philanthropy and Social Impact, Sony Music Group. “We helped bring more voters out to the polls in 2020 with our partner organizations and we’re hoping to contribute to an even higher turnout this year. SMG is proud to once again use our platform to support civic participation.”

Your Voice, Your Power, Your Voice kicked off in April to help boost youth voter turnout for the EU elections. This initiative is part of an ongoing commitment to fostering civic participation and will continue to build on the Company’s existing programs.

Filmed during USHER’s 2023 eight-concert performance in Paris, USHER: RENDEZVOUS IN PARIS features chart-topping hits “Yeah!,” “My Boo,” & More

AMC Theatres Distribution and Trafalgar Releasing have partnered with Sony Music Vision to bring the highly anticipated concert film to fans in cinemas around the world between September 12 – 15

Tickets will be available for purchase beginning August 6 at UsherinParis.com

Leawood, Kan. (July 30, 2024) – USHER, the globally renowned singer, songwriter, dancer and entrepreneur, with over 80 million records sold worldwide and 8 GRAMMY® Awards, is bringing the ultimate intimate concert experience to theaters this fall. AMC Theatres® (NYSE:AMC), the largest theatrical exhibitor in the United States and the world, Trafalgar Releasing and Sony Music Vision, today announced that USHER: RENDEZVOUS IN PARIS concert film will arrive in cinemas around the world for a limited run beginning September 12.

USHER: RENDEZVOUS IN PARIS incorporates the essence of his landmark cultural phenomenon Vegas residencies into a seductive French touch confession. Captured during Paris Fashion week at La Seine Musicale, the film features chart-topping hits including “Yeah!”, “My Boo”, “Love In This Club” and more from USHER’s 30-year career, performed with never-before-seen costumes and state-of-the-art lighting and special effects. In addition to bringing the vibrant live concert experience to screen, USHER gives audiences a glimpse inside life beyond the stage – creating a global moment that moviegoers won’t want to miss.

USHER: RENDEZVOUS IN PARIS will screen in 2,000 cinemas worldwide, including approximately 1,000 cinemas in the United States. The film will play at AMC and ODEON locations, and many other locations globally. Worldwide screening details and ticketing will be available at UsherinParis.com on August 6 at 9:00 a.m. ET / 6:00 a.m. PT. Fans are encouraged to sign up for further information. Screenings will take place between September 12 – 15 and may vary by location.

The concert film will be released in the U.S. and globally by Trafalgar Releasing, in partnership with AMC Theatres Distribution. AMC and ODEON will provide core marketing support for the film in the U.S. and international markets. Sony Music Vision is the distributor of all rights excluding theatrical.

“Paris was a special experience for me as an entertainer and for my fans,” said USHER. “I hope those who weren’t able to make it in person get to experience how special it was. As for those of you who were, I hope you experience the show and see what it takes to get there through a different lens.”

“For 30 years USHER has captivated and entertained audiences through his music and concerts. Just a few months ago, he drew rave reviews for his stunning performance in front of 129 million people during the Super Bowl Half Time Show. Bringing his unparalleled concert experience to movie theatres for his fans around the world is a perfect fit for AMC Theatres Distribution,” said Adam Aron, Chairman and CEO, AMC Theatres.

Marc Allenby, CEO, Trafalgar Releasing, adds “We are excited to continue our partnership with Sony Music Vision and AMC Theatres Distribution to bring the energy of USHER to movie theater audiences around the world.  He is the perfect artist to support our shared vision of creating global experiences around concert films for artists that advance the evolution of the cinema into venues for all forms of entertainment.”

USHER: RENDEZVOUS IN PARIS is a film by and directed by Anthony Mandler. It is a production of Arcovision, Kingdom Films and Laffitte Group Productions. The film is produced by Anthony Mandler, Usher Raymond and Ron Laffitte. Executive Producers for Kingdom Films are Aakomon Jones and Angelo Gopee. Executive Producer for Arcovision is Kwesi Collisson. Executive Producers for Sony Music are Tom Mackay, Richard Story and Krista Wegener.

For Event Assets, visit HERE.

Podster to translate “This is History” in Five Territories and Five Languages Around the World

July 16, 2024 – Sony Music’s Global Podcast Division today announced that it will join forces with Podster to bring the renowned history podcast ‘This is History: A Dynasty to Die For’ into new territories and five new languages, including Danish, Swedish, Finnish and more. The adaptation will help the show reach new audiences across Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Norway and the Netherlands. 

This is History: A Dynasty to Die For is hosted by award-winning historian and author Dan Jones. The podcast delves into the dramatic and scandalous lives of the Plantagenet family. They can be categorised as one of the most infamous royal families in European history and their rule was marked by internal power struggles, political intrigue and personal vendettas. 

While the story of the Plantagenet rule is rather complex, host Dan Jones guides the listener through this fascinating part of history with immense knowledge and an engaging narrative, making the podcast ideal for both history enthusiasts and casual listeners. 

“As a global business, we are continuously evaluating how to reach audiences in new markets,” said Steve Ackerman. “Through this partnership with Podster, we’re engaging history fans around the world by making This is History: A Dynasty to Die For accessible in multiple languages and look forward to continuing to develop new ways to broaden our international reach.” 

“We are so excited to finally be able to announce this partnership. Not only is this of course more great content to our portfolio at Podster, but it is also fantastic to work with a global player like Sony Music who truly understands the value of adaptation and new formats cross markets”, says CEO and co-founder of Podster, Henriette Høj Gharib. 

This is History: A Dynasty to Die For is Sony Music’s first podcast available in multiple languages across various territories around the world and signified the company’s focus on reaching expanded global audiences in their native languages. 

This is History: A Dynasty to Die For was nominated in the category ‘Best History Podcast’ at the Ambies 2024. When first published in 2022, This is History: A Dynasty to Die For went straight to the top of the History Charts in both the UK and the US. The show is still featured on the charts in multiple countries, including the UK and US, Canada, Australia, Iceland, and more.