- The Whisper Group returning to private ownership
- Sony Pictures Television divesting 30% stake after successful five-year partnership that saw Whisper’s profit and revenue grow almost 500%
- Whisper’s future focused, diverse and entrepreneurial management team to drive next phase of scalable growth
- Employee equity scheme introduced to reward, retain and attract ambitious talent
- External financing secured to drive new areas of value creation focused on insight, tech and IP
LONDON / LOS ANGELES, 5 March 2026 – The Whisper Group, a leading global production company, specialising in sports, documentaries, branded content, events, eSports and unscripted entertainment, today announced that Sony Pictures Television (“SPT”) is divesting its 30% shareholding, after a sustained five-year period of growth and delivery, culminating in record revenues and profits for Whisper last year.
Whisper will return to private ownership, using external finance to deliver a bold and ambitious strategy, create an employee equity scheme, and allow the management team – led by CEO and Founder, Sunil Patel – to drive new growth and market expansion. Whisper partners with some of the biggest names, organisations and brands across sports, media and entertainment, delivering iconic content, moments, stories and programming across a range of media.
SPT sells its 30% stake in Whisper having helped establish it as one of the foremost multi-genre production businesses in the industry, which has seen exponential growth across revenue, profits, and value, and is leaving with a significant return on their original investment.
Whisper will continue to work with SPT through strategic partnerships to help deliver great entertainment products including Wheel of Fortune, as well as a range of sports and media projects.
This development represents the latest phase in Whisper’s 15-year growth story. Founded in 2010 by Sunil Patel, Jake Humphrey and David Coulthard, before Channel 4’s Growth Fund helped accelerate sport and branded content growth in 2015. SPT came on board in 2020 as Channel 4 exited after realising a significant return. With SPT, Whisper’s revenue grew from c. £20m to c. £100m and the company established Whisper North and Whisper Cymru to help drive their multi-genre vision and international market expansion.
Whisper has spent the last year analysing the market and making the structural changes required for the business to best take advantage of the burgeoning and rapidly evolving sports, media and entertainment market. In consultation with all shareholders, a return to private ownership – allied to an ambitious growth plan –will position Whisper as one of the most entrepreneurial, disruptive and innovative leaders in the sector.
Sunil Patel, Whisper CEO and Founder said: “Five years ago, Whisper set off on a journey to become a multi-genre production company. That has been absolutely delivered – creatively, commercially and culturally – with revenue up nearly 500%.
“It would not have been possible without our bold vision and partnership with Sony, which helped elevate Whisper to a truly global force, so huge thanks to Wayne and the wider Sony team.
“It was that collaboration, alongside our valued partners, that has helped us create a scalable business telling ambitious stories that entertain and impact the world. All delivered by our industry-leading team.
“The next chapter of Whisper’s story is already underway, and that will continue to place our people at the heart by ensuring they share in future growth alongside shareholders.
“The platform is set, as is the team. Now it’s time to go make it happen once again.”
Wayne Garvie, President, International Production, Sony Pictures Television, added: “Dynamic, collaborative, innovative, over the last decade, Whisper has become one of the leading global production companies in their field. We have had a brilliant partnership for five years, from Wheel of Fortune to Wimbledon, so many great moments and I’m sure that the many parts of the wider Sony family will continue to find ways of working with The Whisper Group, as we will in International production.
“For now, it’s good luck to Sunil and the team as they take this next step on their marvellous journey”
-ends-
Media Contacts:
The Whisper Group – Dan Johnson +44 (0)7799895439 / dan.johnson@whisper.tv
Sony Pictures Television – Ed Brody +44 (0)7720148500 / edward_brody@spe.sony.com
The Whisper Group is a leading global multi-genre production company, delivering sports, documentaries, branded content, events and unscripted entertainment at scale and quality.
With teams across the UK, EMEA, US and Australasia, Whisper creates and delivers broadcast and digital content for premium clients, working across global events including Formula One, UEFA Champions League, Wimbledon, Roland Garros, The Paralympics, FIFA World Cup and UEFA Women’s EURO.
Whisper produces innovative and creative campaigns for brands like Red Bull, BOSE, NEOM and Peloton, while also designing and delivering events such as EA’s esports series, BBC Sports Personality of the Year and FIFA Best. Across documentaries and unscripted entertainment, Whisper develops and executes award-winning documentaries (Ben Stokes: Phoenix From The Ashes and Sven), and highly-acclaimed popular quiz shows (Pictionary, Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune). Whisper works with leading streamers and broadcasters, including Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, YouTube, DAZN, BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5.
Whisper’s creativity and storytelling is BAFTA winning and Emmy International nominated. It is also a Sunday Times Best Places to Work.
