Sony Pictures Television acquired a majority stake in 32 Flavors, the production company founded by Alex Baskin, on May 18, 2026 [1].
The acquisition marks a strategic pivot for the studio as it seeks to expand its presence in the high-growth reality-TV market. By absorbing a producer of hit unscripted content, Sony aims to diversify its portfolio beyond traditional scripted dramas and comedies.
The deal was announced from Sony Pictures Television’s studio in Culver City, Los Angeles [1]. 32 Flavors is the production entity responsible for several high-profile Bravo series, including “The Valley” and “Vanderpump Rules” [2]. While reports vary slightly on the specific terminology of the deal, the studio has secured a controlling interest in the company [1], [2].
Sony said the purchase positions the studio for a new era in unscripted programming [2], [3]. The move allows the studio to leverage Baskin's expertise in creating viral, character-driven reality content to build out a broader slate of non-scripted projects.
Alex Baskin will remain the CEO of 32 Flavors following the transaction [3]. This arrangement ensures that the creative leadership responsible for the company's current successes remains in place while benefiting from Sony's global distribution network and financial resources.
This expansion into the unscripted space comes as streaming platforms and cable networks continue to prioritize lower-cost, high-engagement reality programming to attract younger audiences. Sony's entry into this specific niche through a majority acquisition, rather than a simple production partnership, indicates a desire for long-term ownership of intellectual property in the reality genre [2].
“Sony said the purchase positions the studio for a new era in unscripted programming.”
This acquisition signals Sony's intent to move away from a purely scripted business model to capture the lucrative unscripted market. By taking a controlling stake in a company with a track record of producing cultural touchstones like 'Vanderpump Rules,' Sony is securing a pipeline of content that typically generates high social media engagement and lower production overhead than prestige television.
