Sony Pictures Television chairman Steve Mosko is leaving the studio after 24 years, CNNMoney has confirmed.
Mosko oversaw all worldwide television operations for Sony Pictures Entertainment.
The news, which was first reported by Variety, came as a shock to Hollywood seeing that Mosko is a big player at both Sony and even more so in the TV industry.
The reason for Mosko’s departure was not immediately clear.
Mosko, 60, first joined Sony Pictures Entertainment in 1992 and was behind hits like AMC’s “Breaking Bad,” NBC’s “The Blacklist,” ABC’s “Shark Tank,” Netflix’s “Bloodline,” and the “Breaking Bad” spinoff, “Better Call Saul.”
The division has also been a stable cash cow for the studio thanks to not just its original dramas and comedies, but also its syndicated game shows like “Jeopardy” and “Wheel of Fortune.”
During his tenure, Sony Pictures Television won the 2013 and the 2014 Emmy for Best Drama Series with “Breaking Bad.”
Mosko was named president in 2000 before being named chairman last year.
It is unknown who will replace Mosko at the studios, but Zack Van Amburg and Jamie Erlicht are two possible names. Both have served under Mosko as presidents of programming, overseeing development of new shows.
Mosko is the latest notable name to leave the studios following a widespread cyber attack in 2014 that leaked salaries and emails of executives at the studio.
Amy Pascal stepped down as Sony Pictures Entertainment co-chairman last year.
Sony did not immediately respond for comment on this story.
His exit comes just weeks after another long-time television executive, HBO’s programming chief Michael Lombardo, unexpectedly left his position. Lombardo had been at the cable giant for 33 years.
