Sony Pictures TV Ups Crackle's Eric Berger to Chief Digital Officer
Berger will continue to serve as general manager for Crackle, the studio's ad-supported streaming service.
Sony Pictures Television Networks has promoted Crackle general manager Eric Berger to executive vp and chief digital officer, the studio announced Tuesday morning.
Berger will continue to serve as general manager of Crackle, the company's ad-supported streaming service. In his new role, he will oversee digital strategy for Sony's worldwide network group going forward.
"During his tenure here at Sony, Eric has paved the way for us on the digital front, using a mix of business models and products, including AVOD, SVOD, TV Everywhere, games, virtual reality and more to guide the expansion of SPT Networks' 100+ linear international channels to on-demand, OTT, streaming services and other digital-first initiatives," Andy Kaplan, president of Sony Pictures Television Networks, said in a letter to employees that was provided to The Hollywood Reporter.
Berger joined Sony in 2006 and became GM of Crackle two years later. The streaming service, which offers an array of past Sony film and TV projects, first made a name for itself with original series Jerry Seinfeld's Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee. The show was nominated for an Emmy in the variety talk series category in 2016 and subsequently moved to Netflix as part of an expansive deal that includes two Seinfeld stand-up specials.
Crackle, meanwhile, has doubled down on original scripted programming with such shows as Dennis Quaid-starrer The Art of More and thriller StartUp, though none of its shows have generated the buzz of Comedians. Coming up for Crackle is 50 Cent-produced The Oath, which will star Sean Bean.