Production Company Astronauts Wanted Gets New Top Exec Amid Structural Shuffle

In 2013, former MTV CEO Judy McGrath teamed up with Sony Music to launch a production company called Astronauts Wanted. More than four years later, having produced some notable pieces of digital programming, the studio is undergoing a significant change to its executive team. According to Variety, McGrath will step down as the head of Astronauts Wanted. Taking over for her will be Michael Davies, the President and CEO of Sony’s Embassy Row unit.

McGrath will remain an advisor for Astronauts Wanted and will be an executive producer on several of the studio’s upcoming projects. “Michael Davies has built a terrific team, brand and business with Embassy Row, and I’m excited to join his venture into scripted content for young adults,” McGrath said in a statement reported by Variety. “We launched Astronauts Wanted with Sony Music Entertainment and I’m happy to stay connected to the Sony family for the next Astronauts adventure.”

Embassy Row has a long history of bringing shows to TV and has produced hits like Watch What Happens Live. Astronauts Wanted, which will now be classified under the Embassy Row banner, has television ambitions of its own, having sold a pilot called Socio to MTV.

Variety could not confirm how many of Astronauts Wanted’s employees would make the move from Sony Music to Embassy Row. The studio shared a few of its upcoming programs during its presentation at the 2017 NewFronts.