EXCLUSIVE: Sony Music’s Global Podcast Division has acquired podcast production company Neon Hum.
Neon Hum is behind series including Dinner’s On Me, led by Modern Family star Jesse Tyler Ferguson and true-crime franchise Smoke Screen.
The move comes five years after Sony Music announced a strategic investment in Neon Hum, which was founded by Jonathan Hirsch.
As part of the move, Hirsch becomes VP, Global Podcasts and Head of U.S. Creative at Sony Music’s Global Podcast Division, reporting to Steve Ackerman, EVP and Head of Global Podcasts at Sony Music.
The deal will allow Sony Music to broaden its work for hire services; the company is responsible for series such as Max’s And Just Like That… The Writers Room and Discovery+’s The Rise and Fall of LuLaRoe. It will also continue to develop podcasts for Sony Music’s subscription channel The Binge.
“We have worked closely with Jonathan and the team at Neon Hum for several years now and value his creative and strategic vision to produce premium shows across our successful true crime and always on slates,” said Ackerman. “This move allows us to maximize Neon Hum’s creative and production input as we further grow our roster of original and client shows.”
“Neon Hum and Sony Music have always been aligned in our audio-first mentality and approach,” said Hirsch. “I’m excited for the next steps as the Neon Hum team becomes a full part of Sony Music Podcasts and we continue to produce premium audio content.”