Stephen David

CEO
Stephen David Entertainment

Over the span of seven years, Stephen David has established a bustling production and post-production company that has seen a meteoric rise and yearly growth. Launched in 2010 at the Realscreen Summit, Stephen David Entertainment (SDE) – a Banijay Group Company – has emerged as a leader in high-end television production, specializing in docudrama, documentary and non-fiction, as well as scripted series. In both 2014 and 2015, SDE was featured in Realscreen magazine as a Global 100 production company, and is a two-time recipient, in 2013 and 2016, of the Realscreen Award for Outstanding Achievement Non-Fiction/History and Biographical.

Prior to creating SDE, David enjoyed a long and successful career in film & television development and production. In only seven-years’ time as a screenwriter, David sold 10 film scripts to world-renowned studios including Warner Brothers, New Line Cinema, MGM and Revolution. During his time as a screenwriter, David worked with a variety of acclaimed directors, including Ron Howard. In 2012, David ushered in a new TV genre, the “hybrid” docu-series, with SDE’s The Men Who Built America (History), which went on to win two Primetime Emmy® Awards with five total nominations.

David’s success repeated again in 2013 with The World Wars (History). The historical event mini-series received three Primetime Emmy® Award nominations, and featured an introduction from President Barack Obama. The World Wars broke ratings records all across the globe, registering all-time highs throughout Europe and Southeast Asia.

Since then, David has produced a number of blockbuster historical hit series, including two seasons of The Making of the Mob (AMC) and, in a partnership with Robert Redford, The American West (AMC). In 2015, the SDE’s scripted mini-series Sons of Liberty aired on History Channel, garnering stellar ratings, critical acclaim, and a WGA award nomination for David.

In the fall of 2016, SDE debuted its first series with Netflix, Roman Empire: Reign of Blood. The hybrid docu-series is currently enjoying great success on Netflix’s various streaming platforms throughout the world. Most recently, David and SDE produced American Playboy: The Hugh Hefner Story (Amazon), a 10-part docudrama mini-series made in collaboration with Hugh Hefner and Playboy. 

Speaking on: The New Deal on Dealmaking