Peter Levinsohn

Chairman, Global Distribution NBCUniversal Studio Group

Peter Levinsohn serves as Chairman of Global Distribution for NBCUniversal Studio Group, where he leads the group’s global distribution strategy and operations. In his role, he oversees domestic and international theatrical distribution for the film enterprise, global home entertainment and global television distribution licensing for the organization’s film labels (Universal Pictures, Focus Features, Illumination, DreamWorks Animation, Blumhouse Productions, Working Title) and television studios (Universal Studio Group, Sky Studios, Telemundo). He also leads the division responsible for film technology and innovation.

Levinsohn and his distribution team are a crucial element to the incredible success the Studio has achieved in recent years. In 2023, Universal was the top theatrical distributor globally, earning nearly $5 billion in worldwide box office ticket sales. Under his direction, the Universal Pictures Home Entertainment has also continued to lead the industry in market share, and the global television distribution business continues to generate billions in annual licensing revenues across 3,500 deals and 4 million pieces of film and television content.

Levinsohn has been a driver of some of the most innovative distribution strategies across the media and entertainment landscape. When the global pandemic forced theaters around the world to shutter, Levinsohn oversaw the premiere of Trolls World Tour in the home, making Universal the first studio to launch Premium Video on Demand (PVOD). PVOD has become an integral component in nearly all the Studio’s releases, with this strategy generating over $1.5 billion in consumer spend since its inception in 2020. He also led the joint venture between Universal Pictures Home Entertainment and Warner Bros. Home Entertainment, enabling both studios to continue to work with retail partners to ensure physical formats would sustainably remain in the marketplace.

Most recently, Levinsohn led the transformation of the group’s US film licensing strategy. The new agreements maximized consumer access to the Studio’s film content across a variety of streaming services with Peacock customers enjoying early, exclusive access to the Studio’s robust film slate.

Prior to NBCUniversal, Levinsohn served as President of New Media and Digital Strategy for Fox Filmed Entertainment where he spearheaded Fox’s digital strategy, led the development and execution of new distribution opportunities, and oversaw Fox’s content windowing strategy for all media post-theatrical. During his 25-year tenure at News Corporation, Levinsohn was responsible for leading numerous distribution and digital businesses for the company’s various divisions including the Fox Group, Twentieth Century Fox and Fox Interactive Media, where under his leadership, the collection of Internet properties achieved its highest level of growth and profitability.

Throughout his career Levinsohn has been named as one of Variety’s top 500 business leaders, The Hollywood Reporter’s Top Dealmakers, the Top 50 Digital Power players, and in 2020 The Hollywood Reporter named him one of the top dealmakers of the pandemic for his industry defining reshaping of Universal’s digital release strategy. He is also a member of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences. Levinsohn holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from Pepperdine University.

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Peter Levinsohn

Chairman, Global Distribution NBCUniversal Studio Group
   

Peter Levinsohn serves as Chairman of Global Distribution for NBCUniversal Studio Group, where he leads the group’s global distribution strategy and operations. In his role, he oversees domestic and international theatrical distribution for the film enterprise, global home entertainment and global television distribution licensing for the organization’s film labels (Universal Pictures, Focus Features, Illumination, DreamWorks Animation, Blumhouse Productions, Working Title) and television studios (Universal Studio Group, Sky Studios, Telemundo). He also leads the division responsible for film technology and innovation.

Levinsohn and his distribution team are a crucial element to the incredible success the Studio has achieved in recent years. In 2023, Universal was the top theatrical distributor globally, earning nearly $5 billion in worldwide box office ticket sales. Under his direction, the Universal Pictures Home Entertainment has also continued to lead the industry in market share, and the global television distribution business continues to generate billions in annual licensing revenues across 3,500 deals and 4 million pieces of film and television content.

Levinsohn has been a driver of some of the most innovative distribution strategies across the media and entertainment landscape. When the global pandemic forced theaters around the world to shutter, Levinsohn oversaw the premiere of Trolls World Tour in the home, making Universal the first studio to launch Premium Video on Demand (PVOD). PVOD has become an integral component in nearly all the Studio’s releases, with this strategy generating over $1.5 billion in consumer spend since its inception in 2020. He also led the joint venture between Universal Pictures Home Entertainment and Warner Bros. Home Entertainment, enabling both studios to continue to work with retail partners to ensure physical formats would sustainably remain in the marketplace.

Most recently, Levinsohn led the transformation of the group’s US film licensing strategy. The new agreements maximized consumer access to the Studio’s film content across a variety of streaming services with Peacock customers enjoying early, exclusive access to the Studio’s robust film slate.

Prior to NBCUniversal, Levinsohn served as President of New Media and Digital Strategy for Fox Filmed Entertainment where he spearheaded Fox’s digital strategy, led the development and execution of new distribution opportunities, and oversaw Fox’s content windowing strategy for all media post-theatrical. During his 25-year tenure at News Corporation, Levinsohn was responsible for leading numerous distribution and digital businesses for the company’s various divisions including the Fox Group, Twentieth Century Fox and Fox Interactive Media, where under his leadership, the collection of Internet properties achieved its highest level of growth and profitability.

Throughout his career Levinsohn has been named as one of Variety’s top 500 business leaders, The Hollywood Reporter’s Top Dealmakers, the Top 50 Digital Power players, and in 2020 The Hollywood Reporter named him one of the top dealmakers of the pandemic for his industry defining reshaping of Universal’s digital release strategy. He is also a member of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences. Levinsohn holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from Pepperdine University.