Sony Pictures TV non-fiction enters UK, deal with Rebel Minds Media

Sony Pictures Television — Nonfiction is pushing deeper into the British market, signing a new deal with unscripted producers Simon Shalgosky and Daniel Brookes, whose credits include British hits “The X Factor,” “Love Island,” “Britain’s Got Talent” and “I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here.”

Shalgosky and Brookes have launched a new banner, Rebel Minds Media, as part of their move to Sony. Sony Pictures Television – Nonfiction heads Eli Holzman and Aaron Saidman announced the overall deal on Monday.

“Our search for hugely creative British format specialists led us to Simon and Daniel and we are delighted to welcome them,” Holzman and Saidman said in a joint statement. “Sony continues to invest in the very best talent so we can develop and launch the hits of tomorrow for our partners and customers around the world.”

The deal will start in 2026.

Shalgosky and Brookes’ development and production credits include working for companies such as ITV Studios, BBC Studios, Syco Entertainment, Keshet, Seven Studios, Lion Television and MGM Unscripted.

“The opportunity to work with Eli and Aaron is one we couldn’t turn down,” Shalgosky said in a statement. “They are the perfect collaborators who share our creative spirit and ambition to innovate bold new formats – each with personality and punch.”

Brookes added: “We believe a global approach is key to launching original IP – and Sony gives us the scale to accelerate that mission and reach more buyers and more markets than ever before. Rebel Minds Media will continue to rethink tradition with creatively bold formats built on strong conceptual hooks, a distinctive visual identity and a forward-thinking storytelling approach. This partnership allows us to push our ideas further and faster.”

The duo’s other development and production credits include ‘Pooch Perfect’, ‘Eurovision’, ‘When Bowie Met Bolan’, ‘Adele at the BBC’, ‘Popstar to Operastar’, The BBC Music Awards, ‘La Banda’, ‘Come Date with Me’, ‘Britain’s Best Dish’, ‘Red or Black’, ‘Eggheads’, ‘Step Up to the Plate’ and ‘Who Wants to be a Millionaire’.

Shalgosky and Brookes were previously based at BBC Studios, where they launched their previous label Rebel Rebel Pictures in 2023.