Tuesday 13th February – Sony Music Entertainment has announced the launch of season four of This is History: A Dynasty to Die For. The podcast closely follows the schemes, scandals and ruthless politics of one of the most notorious families in European history: The Plantagenets. Hosted by award-winning medieval historian, broadcaster and author Dan Jones, season one topped Spotify’s UK History Chart and the Apple History Chart in the US.  

Rivalry, treachery, civil war and murder; this period of medieval history features family dynamics akin to Succession, with more backstabbing than The Traitors. Dan brings this hectic world to life through enthralling tales, complex characters, graphic details, and immersive soundscapes. 

Season four tells the story of two kings, Henry and Edward. This father and son team band together to fight the greatest threat their dynasty has ever faced: betrayal from an old friend. Simon de Montfort’s ambitious drive for reform threatens to finish off the Plantagenet rule once and for all. Henry and Edward will do everything to secure their legacy. Family dysfunction drives firm friends to become deadly enemies as they go head-to-head in a catastrophic sequence of events whose repercussions are still felt to this day.

Over 12 action-packed episodes, Dan delves into machinations, mutilations and bloody chaos to uncover the foundations of modern Europe.

If you’ve not yet listened, the first three seasons are available now so you can hear this wild story from the beginning – you’d be forgiven for thinking you’re listening to a Game of Thrones audiobook. Dan guides his listeners through this tumultuous period of history in a manner that’s at once compelling and engrossing, whilst also accessible and fun. School teachers have even been in touch to tell us that they use the podcast in their history classes!

Listen here.

New MD Promises Artist-Focused Approach to Regional Music Scene

Singapore, February 1, 2024 – Sony Music Entertainment (SME) announced today the appointment of Kenny Ong as its new Managing Director for Malaysia, Vietnam, Singapore and Special Projects Southeast Asia, effective immediately. In this key role, Ong will spearhead the company’s expansion and strategic development across the dynamic and rapidly growing entertainment landscape of the region and champion the careers of Southeast Asian artists.

The appointment comes at a time when Asia is experiencing robust and continued growth. According to IFPI’s Global Music Report 2023, Asia’s revenue grew by 15.4%. 

“Our region is poised for continued growth, and to seize the opportunity it will require more creativity and diligence,” said Shridhar Subramaniam, President of Corporate Strategy and Market Development, Asia and Middle East, Sony Music Entertainment. “With a proven track record of forging partnerships, driving audience engagement and putting artists first, Kenny possesses a deep understanding of the diverse cultural nuances and musical preferences and we are delighted to welcome him.” 

Ong joins SME at a pivotal time for the music industry in Southeast Asia. The region is brimming with vibrant talent, and SME is committed to providing artists with the platform and resources they need to thrive.

“I am thrilled to join Sony Music Entertainment at this pivotal juncture and look forward to leveraging my experience to unlock the immense potential of Southeast Asia’s vibrant entertainment market and highlighting the brilliant talent of our Southeast Asian artists,” said Kenny Ong, Managing Director, Malaysia, Vietnam and Singapore and Special Projects Southeast Asia, Sony Music Entertainment. “Together, we will create compelling experiences and forge meaningful connections with artists and audiences across the region through the power of collaboration and musicality.”

Ong brings a wealth of expertise to SME, having held previous leadership positions across media, music, and consumer goods. He was previously the Chief Executive Officer of Astro Radio, Malaysia’s leading radio network, and concurrently Director of Astro Media Solutions. Ong also led the Southeast Asian expansion for Universal Music Group in his previous role. 

His appointment underscores SME’s unwavering commitment to artists and its dedication to nurturing the next generation of musical talent in Southeast Asia.

Never Before Heard Audio Reveals Stunning New Details of the 2020 Domestic Terrorism Case, Which Shocked the Nation and Continues to Reverberate Today 

Listeners Can Subscribe to The Binge For The Full Season Now 

New York, NY – February 1, 2024 – Sony Music and Campside Media are proud to announce the season premiere of Chameleon Season 7: The Michigan Plot, a true-crime podcast that takes listeners inside one of the most important FBI domestic terrorist investigations in decades: the notorious plot to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer. The first episode is available today, and subscribers to The Binge can listen to all episodes now.  

Hosted by journalists Ken Bensinger and Jessica Garrison, The Michigan Plot is based on more than three years of reporting, plus hundreds of hours of never-before-heard audio that takes listeners along with an FBI informant as he infiltrates the Wolverine Watchmen, a militia that prosecutors charge was determined to kidnap — and maybe even kill — a sitting governor.   

With unprecedented access to the investigation’s inner workings and key players, Bensinger and Garrison go deep in search of answers to the burning question at the core of the case: were the 14 men accused of participating in the conspiracy really masterminds of a credible domestic terrorist plot or just a group of hyped up stoners that talked too much?  

“In a time of deep polarization, the Whitmer case has come to symbolize many of the stark divisions in America,” said Ken Bensinger. “The Michigan Plot gives listeners access to evidence no jury was ever allowed to hear and lets them come to their own conclusions about the government’s case.” 

Chameleon Season 7: The Michigan Plot is produced by Sony Music Entertainment and Campside Media. The season is hosted by reporters Ken Bensinger and Jessica Garrison. Both formerly of Buzzfeed News, Bensinger is now a reporter at The New York Times, and Garrison is at The Los Angeles Times. Ryan Sweikert is the Producer with story editing by Michael Canyon Meyer. Matt Shaer, Josh Dean, Vanessa Grigoriadis and Adam Hoff are Executive Producers at Campside Media.  

Listeners can subscribe to Chameleon: Michigan Plot on The Binge today to listen to all episodes, all at once. Michigan Plot 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.  

New Weekly Podcast Dives into All Things Anime and Its Influence and Impact of The Medium on Pop Culture

Culver City, CA (January 30, 2024) Crunchyroll, the ultimate anime destination for global fans, and Sony Music Entertainment are launching Crunchyroll Presents: The Anime Effect, a weekly roundtable podcast spotlighting anime’s influence on the broader cultural zeitgeist. The Anime Effect will be available worldwide in English on all major podcast platforms beginning February 16, with new episodes every Friday.

You can watch/listen to the trailer and subscribe to get notified when episodes drop here.

As anime has exploded in global popularity, its influence can be seen on the screen and in fashion, sports, gaming, music and beyond… and not just on Crunchyroll. With coverage from the award-winning Crunchyroll News team as a throughline, Crunchyroll Presents: The Anime Effect goes beyond specific shows and popular characters just on Crunchyroll to delve into anime’s growing impact across popular culture. 

The weekly podcast is hosted by Crunchyroll’s own in-house, resident anime experts – Nicholas Friedman, LeAlec Murray, and Leah President. The show is a lively mixture of roundtable news and discussion with Crunchyroll hosts and special guests as they debate hot topics, provide recommendations, and tackle fan questions. 

“The Anime Effect is a natural extension of our current Crunchyroll News program and a place where fans can dive deeper into everything anime and celebrate it regardless of what platform or service it is on,” said Gita Rebbapragada, Crunchyroll’s Chief Operating Officer. “Whether you watch anime everyday or a casual viewer, this podcast is a must-listen.”

Crunchyroll Presents: The Anime Effect is available at launch as an audio show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and anywhere else you get your podcasts, and as a video show on Crunchyroll and YouTube with additional platforms – including the Crunchyroll Channel –  coming in 2024. Crunchyroll Premium subscribers will also be able to watch the ad-free video show weekly on the Crunchyroll app. 

Podcast Hosts: 

Nicholas Friedman (he/him) is a career journalist who lives in the anime world. As Publisher of Crunchyroll News, Nick sits at the center of the anime culture conversation, from the latest breaking updates to the deepest dives into what fans are talking about. 

LeAlec Murray (he/him) is a podcaster and pop culture enthusiast. With 15+ years of experience in the anime and gaming industry, he lives his life one pixel at a time. LeAlec currently works as a Brand Manager at Crunchyroll, helping to bring to life the anime you see every day.

Leah President (they/them) is a writer, editor and longtime acolyte of geek culture. From a background as a broadcast producer (but with a secret soft heart), they would rather be crying over shojo manga or picking only the “good” options in an RPG. Leah works as a Partnerships Manager, bringing fans from all over the world home to Crunchyroll. 

The documentary, which will be available to stream on Prime Video, was produced by Sony Music Vision, in partnership with Sony Music Entertainment Canada, and Vermilion Films

CULVER CITY, California—January 30, 2024—Amazon MGM Studios announced today that it has acquired worldwide rights to the feature-length Celine Dion documentary, I Am: Celine Dion. From Oscar-nominated filmmaker Irene Taylor, this documentary is a snapshot of a pivotal time in the life and career of one of the most recognized, respected, and successful performers in pop music history, Celine Dion.

This intimate exploration takes viewers on a journey inside Celine’s past and present as she reveals her battle with Stiff Person Syndrome (SPS) and the lengths she has gone to continue performing for her beloved and loyal fans. From visiting her couture touring wardrobe and personal effects to spending time in the recording studio, the documentary captures a global megastar’s never-before-seen private life. An emotional, energetic, and poetic love letter to music, I Am: Celine Dion captures more than a year of filming as the legendary singer navigates her journey toward living an open and authentic life amidst illness.

The documentary, which was produced by Sony Music Vision, in partnership with Sony Music Entertainment Canada and Vermilion Films, will be available to stream on Prime Video in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide. The Prime Video release date will be announced at a later date.

“This last couple of years has been such a challenge for me, the journey from discovering my condition to learning how to live with and manage it, but not to let it define me,” said Celine Dion. “As the road to resuming my performing career continues, I have realized how much I have missed it, of being able to see my fans.  During this absence, I decided I wanted to document this part of my life, to try to raise awareness of this little-known condition, to help others who share this diagnosis.”

“Celine Dion is a global megastar with a career defined not only by her extraordinary work ethic and passion, but by her dedication to her fans,” said Jennifer Salke, head of Amazon MGM Studios. “This documentary is a raw, intimate portrayal of a pivotal time in her personal life and career, pulling back the curtain on her journey as she overcomes an unthinkable diagnosis. It’s an honor to be trusted with her story, and we can’t wait to share it with Prime Video audiences around the world.”

Emmy Award-winning and Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Irene Taylor’s most recent film Trees And Other Entanglements was released last year by HBO and explores our human obsession with the arboreal world. Taylor also recently won a Columbia-DuPont Award for her tragic investigation into one of the most trusted institutions in America, Leave No Trace: A Hidden History Of The Boy Scouts (Hulu). Premiering at Sundance in 2019 and later nominated for Special Merit in Documentary Filmmaking at the 2020 Primetime Emmy Awards, Moonlight Sonata: Deafness in Three Movements tells Taylor’s very personal story about her deaf son, her deaf father, and Ludwig Van Beethoven, as he went deaf while composing his famous sonata. Her other credits include Hear and Now, which won the Audience Award at Sundance in 2007; Beware the Slenderman, which received nominations for an Emmy and two Critics’ Choice Awards; The Final Inch, which was nominated for an Academy award and multiple Emmys; Saving Pelican 895; One Last Hug: Three Days At Grief Camp; Open Your Eyes; and Between Sound and Silence.

Since bursting onto the global music scene at the age of 13, Dion has sold more than 250 million albums during her 40-year career. Having earned five Grammy Awards, two Academy Awards, the 2016 Billboard Music Award lifetime achievement Icon Award, and recognition from the 2004 World Music Awards as the best-selling female artist of all time, Dion continues to break records. With chart-topping hits featured in blockbuster films including “Ashes” (Deadpool 2), “My Heart Will Go On” (Titanic), and “Beauty and the Beast” (Beauty and the Beast), she is a force in the industry and sets new standards of excellence.

In 2021, Dion faced the difficult decision of canceling her highly anticipated Las Vegas residency due to health concerns. Then, in December 2022, the singer courageously revealed her ongoing battle with Stiff Person Syndrome, ultimately leading to the cancellation of her Courage World Tour. Despite these setbacks, Dion remained dedicated to her craft and persevered, turning her attention to healing. In 2023, she showcased her talents by acting in the romantic comedy film Love Again and released five new songs on the accompanying movie soundtrack.

The documentary was produced by Irene Taylor, Stacy Lorts, and Julie Begey Seureau for Vermilion Films and Tom Mackay for Sony Music Vision. Dave Platel and Denis Savage serve as executive producers for Les Productions Feeling alongside Shane Carter for Sony Music Entertainment Canada and Krista Wegener for Sony Music Vision. The sale was negotiated by Sony Music Vision.

New York, NY – January 29, 2024 – Santa Anna Label Group today announced a partnership and distribution agreement with Trill Entertainment. Under the new agreement, Trill Entertainment will have access to Santa Anna’s marketing, distribution and promotional support, among other services, to assist its catalog and new artists in maximizing their creative potential and build their businesses.

Created in 2001 by Melvin “Mel” Vernell, Jr. and Marcus “Turk” Roach in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, the record label rose to prominence in the early 2000’s with notable acts including Boosie Badazz (formerly known as Lil Boosie), Webbie, Foxx, Lil Phat, Lil Trill and others. Today, the company has released multiple multi-platinum singles and albums including “Wipe Me Down” (2x Platinum), “Set it Off” (2x Platinum), “Mind of a Maniac” (Gold) by Lil Boosie, “Independent” by Webbie (2x Platinum) and albums Bad Azz (Platinum), Survival of the Fittest (Gold), Savage Life (Gold) and Savage Life 2(Gold). In addition, Trill Entertainment signed new artist Tre Savage and recently released his debut mixtape and single featuring NBA Youngboy.

“Just as Mel and Turk were at the forefront of music back in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and dominated Hip-Hop culture from 2005 and on, they continue to bring their expertise and excellence to Trill Entertainment,” said Todd Moscowitz, founder of Santa Anna. “I look forward to reconnecting with such a dynamic pair to support their catalog business as well as grow and develop their current and future roster of artists.” 

“We’re thrilled to collaborate with Todd, Lee and Santa Anna to build on the success of Trill Entertainment’s catalog and find new and exciting ways to develop our artists,” said Vernell. Roach added, “We’ve seen firsthand what this team is capable of and know the great opportunities that lie ahead for our business and creators.”

This announcement follows last week’s partnership announcement with Santa Anna Label Group and OVO Sound to provide Aubrey “Drake” Graham, Noah “40” Shehib, Oliver El-Khatib and Mr. Morgan’s label and artist roster with expanded A&R and production services.  

Partnership between Santa Anna Label Group and OVO Sound to Provide New and Existing Artist Roster with Expanded A&R and Production Services   

New York, NY – January 23, 2024 – Santa Anna Label Group today announced an investment and partnership with OVO Sound to provide additional artist and label services to the Canadian music label to further expand and complement its national and international profile. Together, the partnership will support Santa Anna Label Group’s commitment to entrepreneurs and artists looking to maximize their creative potential and build their businesses.    

Based in Toronto, OVO Sound will remain a stand-alone record label distributed and marketed through Santa Anna Label Group. Through the partnership, Santa Anna Label Group and its partners will provide OVO Sound with additional A&R support, production, finance and accounting, marketing and promotion, as well as artist and label services to grow OVO Sound’s business and attract, retain and promote top Canadian and international artists.  

This partnership comes on the heels of OVO Sound artist PARTYNEXTDOOR’s highly anticipated album “P4,” set to be released in Q1 2024. 

In making the announcement, Todd Moscowitz, founder of Santa Anna, said, “After 10 years, it’s exciting to reunite with the OVO Sound team to collaborate on new ways to support their impressive roster of artists. Together, I look forward to working with a best-in-class management team to develop opportunities to help scale their business and take their artistry to new heights.” 

“OVO has always been about music first. Together with Drake, 40, and Oliver, we’re excited to partner with like-minded people in Todd, Lee and the Santa Anna team,” said Mr. Morgan, president of OVO Sound. “We feel strongly that the combination of our teams will allow for both our current and future artists to flourish.” 

OVO Sound is an independent record label that started in 2012 by Aubrey “Drake” Graham, Noah “40” Shehib, and Oliver El-Khatib. Current artists include PARTYNEXTDOOR, Majid Jordan, Naomi Sharon, Roy Woods, Smiley, Popcaan in addition to numerous Drake collaborations with artists such as Bad Bunny (Rimas), Central Cee, Blocboy JB, and Dave in addition to the creation of the Top Boy soundtrack. 

Students to Showcase Original Works During Open House with Sony Music Group Artists, Songwriters, Composers and Producers  

 New York, NY – January 22, 2024 – To commemorate the four-year anniversary of Sony Music Group’s Beyond The Instrument initiative, SMG and Notes for Notes are once again opening the doors to its recording studio at Watts-Willowbrook Boys & Girls Club, built in 2023, to showcase original works from students leveraging the year-round tools to develop their personal and musical aspirations. Many of the student’s creative collaborations are currently available to the public and can be found here. 

As part of the annual program, which provides youths with resources and exposure to music professionals and creatives, students are given free access to musical instruments, instruction and digital recording equipment to grow their skills as artists, producers, engineers and film/TV composers. This year, before the 66^th Annual GRAMMY Awards, Sony Music Group artists, songwriters, producers and composers are invited to the Watts-Willowbrook Boys & Girls Club in Los Angeles to visit with students sharing their personal projects across the podcasting, rock band, film scoring, production and songwriting space. Throughout the day, creators of varying age and experience will connect with one another on a common goal – to inspire, create and make music. Confirmed attendees include Anze Rozman, Adam Schiff, Camilo Forero, Dahi, DIXSON, Jacob Shea, Kara Talve, Laurentia Editha, Theron Thomas and Tyler Cole.

“Since its inception, the Beyond the Instrument program has continued to break down obstacles, provide necessary resources and motivate young students to follow their dreams of pursuing a career in music,” said Towalame Austin, Executive Vice President, Philanthropy and Social Impact, Sony Music Group. “Over four years, we have committed more than half a million dollars to music education and instrument donations through the initiative and have seen first-hand the impact these opportunities offer to various communities here in the U.S. and abroad. I look forward to seeing what comes next for these young visionaries and am honored that SMG plays a small role in their lives.” 

“Our Watts-Willowbrook Club has transformed into a hub for creative exploration, thanks to our partnership with Sony Music Group and Notes for Notes,” said Patrick Mahoney, CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Los Angeles. “Their top-notch instruction, cutting-edge technology, and valuable resources has helped our members tap into their true potential and explore exciting new avenues of creativity that would have otherwise been inaccessible.”  

“Honored can’t begin to describe how appreciative we are for this partnership with Sony Music Group and BGCMLA and now after a successful first year of young artists experiencing writing, producing, recording and scoring their own original music, it must be said how proud we are of the impact we are making together in the community,” said Philip Gilley, CEO and Co-Founder of Notes for Notes.

Since 2021, the Beyond The Instrument program grant aims to accelerate equity and access to cutting-edge music technology education for students in high-need schools, located in historically excluded communities. To date, the program has been active in California, Tennessee, Florida and London. Artist and songwriters that have served as mentors for the initiative include Cat Burns, Noah Cyrus, DIXSON, James Everingham, Lupita Infante, KayCyy and Adam Lukas.

New Season Exposes Story of Mother-Daughter Duo Caught Selling Body Parts from Their Funeral Home For Profit 

Listeners Can Subscribe to The Binge For The Full Season Now

New York, NY – January 2, 2024 – Sony Music Entertainment and Campside Media today announced the new season premiere of Cover Up: Body Brokers, an investigative podcast detailing how a small-town funeral homeowner and her elderly mother forged their way into the shadowy world of body dealing. Body Brokers is the third season of the Cover Up series, which tells stories about powerful people who pull off shocking cons. The first episode is available today, and subscribers to The Binge can listen to all episodes now. 

Hosted by investigative reporter Ashley Fantz, Body Brokers brings you inside an economy where bodies are bought and sold for big bucks. This season takes place in tiny Montrose, Colorado, where we meet Megan Hess and her mother Shirley Koch, who run Sunset Mesa Funeral Home. In Body Brokers, host Fantz unveils their depraved shocking scheme: they offered steep discounts on cremation and gave families bogus ashes while they secretly dismembered the bodies and sold them to medical companies claiming to do research. And Fantz introduces you to their many victims who, despite profound trauma, fought back and got justice. 

“Cover Up: Body Brokers details how a small-town hero and her elderly mother got away with one of the most disturbing crimes I’ve ever come across,” said host Ashley Fantz. “We unpack Megan and Shirley’s complex scheme and their victims’ long quest for justice.”

Cover Up: Body Brokers is produced by Sony Music Entertainment and Campside Media, in association with Black Bar Mitzvah. Ashley Fantz is investigative reporter and host. Elizabeth Van Brocklin is the producer and Matt Shaer, Josh Dean, Vanessa Grigoriadis and Adam Hoff are Executive Producers at Campside Media. 

Listeners can subscribe to Cover Up: Body Brokers on The Binge today to listen to all episodes, all at once. Body Brokers 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. 

Daughter of Disappearing Bank Robber Ted Conrad Reveals Truth Behind Her Family’s Story For the First Time

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

New York, NY – December 1, 2023 –  Sony Music Entertainment today premiered Smoke Screen: My Fugitive Dad, the newest season of its hit investigative podcast series that explores the complex story behind Ted Conrad, an infamous bank robber who disappeared without a trace. He was never caught and only decades later did he reveal the truth to his daughter weeks from dying. My Fugitive Dad invites listeners to hear new sides of the Ted Conrad story, from his beloved daughter who was unwittingly living a lie and another family’s quest to bring Conrad to justice. Subscribers to The Binge can listen to all six episodes, all at once today. 

Inspired by hot shot Steve McQueen and the 1968 movie The Thomas Crown Affair, 20-year-old vault teller Conrad stole a fortune from Society National Bank in Cleveland and disappeared without a trace. Deputy US Marshal John Elliott made it his life’s goal to track down Conrad. When he died, his son, US Marshal Pete Elliott, took up the torch. For over half a century, Conrad evaded them. Until one day, this Dad’s deathbed confession blew the case wide open. Conrad’s shocking revelation rocked the small community of Lynnfield MA, and brought answers to one of the country’s most infamous cold cases. 

In this season of Smoke Screen, Ted’s daughter Ashley Randele and reporter Jonathan Hirsch go on a journey to unravel the mystery of Ted Conrad, why he stole all that money, and how he managed to get away with it. 

“I’m thrilled to be telling the real story of my Dad, beyond the splashy headlines of a decades-old bank heist,” said host and daughter Ashley Randele. “Once I knew my Dad’s insane secret, I had to find why the incredible and loving Dad I knew walked away from his parents and siblings. When we started this journey, it didn’t make sense, but now it does. ” 

“Up until now, the headline was that Ted Conrad stole this money because he was inspired by his favorite movie The Thomas Crown Affair, but we were able to reveal the real WHY. This podcast is a unique blend of riveting true crime/heist storytelling and a deeply personal examination of one person’s life and story,” said host Jonathan Hirsch. 

Smoke Screen: My Fugitive Dad is written and produced by Jonathan Hirsch. Catherine Saint Louis is the story editor. The podcast is executive produced by Ashley Randele and Jonathan Hirsch. 

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