<\/p>\n
Sony Pictures Television has acquired controlling interest in the reality TV production company behind \u201cReal Housewives of Beverly Hills\u201d and \u201cVanderpump Rules.\u201d <\/p>\n
The Culver City studio, which produces \u201cJeopardy!\u201d and \u201cWheel of Fortune,\u201d announced Monday that it has closed its purchase of a majority stake of Alex Baskin\u2019s<\/a> three-year-old production firm, 32 Flavors. Baskin\u2019s company has been expanding beyond its audience-addicting programs on Bravo<\/a> to develop podcasts and documentaries. <\/p>\n NBCUniversal will continue to own \u201cReal Housewives\u201d and the other programs it televises, including \u201cThe Valley,\u201d and spinoff show, \u201cThe Valley: Persian Style.\u201d<\/i> Baskin will continue as executive producer on his Bravo shows<\/a> and stay on as chief executive of his production company.<\/p>\n Sony declined to disclose deal terms.<\/p>\n \u201cReal Housewives of Beverly Hills\u201d and \u201cReal Housewives of Orange County,\u201d are produced through Baskin\u2019s company. <\/p>\n \u201c32 Flavors has been on a remarkable trajectory, and with Sony\u2019s support, we expect that momentum to accelerate meaningfully,\u201d Baskin said in a statement.<\/p>\n Sony Pictures Entertainment studios in Culver City. <\/p>\n (Luis Sinco \/ Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/figure><\/div>\n Sony already owns nonfiction production companies, including Sharp Entertainment, Embassy Row, Brass Monkeys Media and 19 Entertainment, the powerhouse behind \u201cAmerican Idol.\u201d It also owns formats for \u201cShark Tank,\u201d and \u201c90 Day Fianc\u00e9,\u201d and an upcoming adaption of the board game, Clue. <\/p>\n \u201cAs the market evolves, we see real opportunity in premium nonfiction, and 32 Flavors strengthens our ability to deliver high-impact, returnable formats that connect with audiences and buyers around the world,\u201d Katherine Pope, president of Sony Pictures Television Studios, said in a statement. <\/p>\n