29 Facts About Josh Sapan

Josh Sapan is credited with bringing independent films to wide audiences through IFC Films, which he led the launch of in 2000.

Josh Sapan brought AMC Networks into the targeted streaming business with the launch of Doc Club in 2014, later rebranded Sundance Now, the horror genre streaming service Shudder in 2015, followed by the acquisition of the British Mystery themed Acorn TV, ALLBLK, the first streaming service created for Black film and TV, and AMC+.

Josh Sapan has led AMC Networks since 1995, including its spin-off from Cablevision in 2011.

Since becoming a public company, Josh Sapan has presided over AMC Networks' increasing net revenues and operating income for seven consecutive years through fiscal year 2017.

Josh Sapan was born to a Jewish family in Queens, New York.

Josh Sapan's father worked in advertising, and his mother was an off-off-Broadway actress.

Josh Sapan performed at Broom Street opposite Andre De Shields who would later go on to star in "The Wiz" on Broadway.

At UW-Madison, Josh Sapan led two film societies: The New Utrecht film society and Thor Film Society, New Utrecht showed foreign and art films such as Woman in the Dunes and The Bicycle Thief, and Thor showed mainstream movies and college oriented fare, finding particular success with Reefer Madness.

Josh Sapan successfully organized The King James nursing home for that union.

Josh Sapan then sold a series of shows to the UA Columbia, producing and hosting a show called Student Film Review in which he interviewed and showed the short films of area filmmakers.

Josh Sapan began his career in cable television at Tele-PrompTer Manhattan Cable TV, which later became Time Warner Cable.

Josh Sapan later joined the premium pay-TV service Showtime, where he led marketing, creative services and on-air programming promotion.

In 2005, Josh Sapan opened New York City's IFC Center, the brick-and-mortar home for the IFC Films brand and home to DOC NYC, the largest documentary film festival in the United States.

In May 2008, Josh Sapan led the company's acquisition of Sundance Channel from General Electric Company's NBC Universal, CBS Corporation's Showtime Networks, and entities controlled by Robert Redford.

In 2010, Josh Sapan led the creation of AMC Studios, the company's in-house production and distribution arm.

Josh Sapan led the company's spin-off from Cablevision Systems Corporation and in June 2011 AMC Networks began trading as a separate public company on the NASDAQ stock exchange.

In 2014, Josh Sapan expanded the company's footprint with the acquisition of Liberty Global's international channels portfolio.

In 2014, Josh Sapan helmed the premier of the Peabody Award-winning miniseries, The Honourable Woman, on SundanceTV, and led the release of the AMC Networks-funded Boyhood, a critically acclaimed movie from director Richard Linklater that was filmed over 12 years.

Under Josh Sapan, AMC Networks was an early creator of targeted subscription video on demand services.

In 2014, Josh Sapan led the company's launch of Doc Club, now called Sundance Now, dedicated to true crime, thrillers and dramas followed by the 2015 launch of horror-focused streaming service Shudder.

In 2018, Josh Sapan led AMC Networks' acquisition of RLJ Entertainment, home to streaming services Acorn TV, specializing in mysteries and drama, and UMC, the first streaming destination dedicated to Black audiences.

In 2018, Josh Sapan led the acquisition of Levity Live and he led AMC Networks to join 21st Century Fox and Sky Plc in a $75 million funding round for sports TV service FuboTV.

Josh Sapan oversaw the creation of AMC Networks' two subscription video on demand bundles, AMC+ and WE tv+, which launched in June 2020 on Comcast's Xfinity platform.

Josh Sapan has personally owned and operated the Greenport Theatre in Greenport, NY on the north fork of Long Island since he purchased it in 2004.

Josh Sapan is the author of The Big Picture: America in Panorama, a collection of panoramic photos from the 20th century.

Josh Sapan has the world's largest collection of antique lightning rods, a selection of which is on permanent display at the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia.

Josh Sapan expanded his career's work into philanthropic efforts; he developed a program highlighting the work of neurodiverse artists.

Josh Sapan serves on numerous boards, including The American Film Institute, Museum of the Moving Image, People for the American Way, WNYC Radio, New School University and The Public Theatre.

Josh Sapan is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Executive Branch.