Sony Pictures Entertainment is making a significant strategic investment into Cosm, the immersive theatrical company that builds domed venues that let attendees watch live events and theatrical content in a new format.
Sony is pouring $100 million into the business for a minority stake, with SPE chairman and CEO Ravi Ahuja joining its board of directors. Sony joins Fox, Kroenke Sports and Entertainment, Marc Lasry and Bolt Ventures as investors in the company.
Cosm has put a heavy emphasis on live sports, with the FIFA World Cup, NBA Finals and UFC Freedom 250 among recent events, using custom cameras to bring unique angles to visitors that when combined with the dome of the venue make it feel like they are sitting courtside, right next to the field or in other locations.
However the company has also pushed into entertainment to fill hours where there are no live events happening, with immersive versions of The Matrix, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory and Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone among its offerings. The Sony partnership suggests that some of its films or IP (Sony is also a major player in gaming and anime) could find its way to Cosm’s venues.
Willy Wonka at the Cosm dome in Los Angeles.
