Sony And Berlin Phil Media Forge Co-Creation Deal

Sony Corporation (Sony) and Berlin Phil Media GmbH (BPM), the media company of the Berliner Philharmoniker, have launched a co-creation partnership aimed at reinventing how audiences experience the performing arts through technology and creativity.

The collaboration will focus on advancing filming and production for live performance, enhancing and reusing archival content, developing new ways to connect with fans, and pursuing research-led artist development.

The two organisations have a long-standing history of technological collaboration in music. Their ties trace back to the era of the compact disc, championed by the late Herbert von Karajan, former Artistic Director and Chief Conductor of the Berliner Philharmoniker, and the late Norio Ohga, former Chairman and CEO of Sony. From 2012 to 2014, Sony and BPM ran a proof-of-concept using the Berliner Philharmoniker’s Digital Concert Hall to trial advanced video production techniques. Ongoing dialogue since then has laid the groundwork for the newly formalised partnership.

By uniting the expressive excellence of the Berliner Philharmoniker—produced and distributed by BPM—with Sony’s imaging, audio and creative capabilities, the alliance seeks to pioneer fresh audience experiences and build sustainable growth across the performing arts sector.

Under the partnership, Sony and BPM will co-develop and implement filming and production solutions tailored to classical performance. This includes combining BPM’s end-to-end production and distribution expertise with Sony’s broad technology stack—from Cinema Line cameras to live production and audio systems—alongside Sony’s production know-how to create more compelling, broadcast-quality content.

The companies will also elevate the value of the orchestra’s extensive archive. They plan to remaster historical footage into high-resolution, high-definition video using RS+™, an upscaling service independently developed by Sony PCL Inc. In parallel, Sony’s audio processing, advanced analysis and reproduction technologies will be applied to archival performance recordings to reveal new facets of historic interpretations. Paired with spatial content creation solutions such as XYN™, these efforts aim to unlock novel viewing formats and diversify content offerings.

To deepen engagement, Sony and BPM will co-create new touchpoints that make classical music more discoverable and present in everyday digital life. With BPM’s creative input, classical music content will find fresh spaces within Sony’s ecosystem, strengthening long-term connections with listeners worldwide.

The partnership also explores how technology can help musicians overcome physical constraints in performance. Drawing on research by Dr Shinichi Furuya of Sony Computer Science Laboratories, the companies will offer lectures and workshops addressing technological and ergonomic aspects of artist development. By harnessing sensing, AI and robotics, the initiative aims to support artists across their careers. Insights from this work will be integrated with existing research to co-create next-generation programmes that advance music culture.

Hiroshi Nakamura, Senior Vice President, Sony Corporation, said: "By combining the outstanding artistry that the Berliner Philharmoniker has cultivated over many years with Sony's imaging and audio technologies and creative expertise, we hope to deliver new inspiring experiences in the performing arts to people around the world. Through this partnership, we will bring the appeal of the performing arts to a wider audience, create new viewing experiences, and contribute to the sustainable growth of this field."

Olaf Maninger, Media Board Member, Managing Director of Berlin Phil Media and Solo Cellist of the Berliner Philharmoniker, said: "Sony is the ideal co-creation partner for the Berliner Philharmoniker. We share the belief that outstanding audiovisual technology is essential to presenting classical music in the highest quality. The Digital Concert Hall was developed based on this technological vision. We are truly looking forward to continuing this journey together with Sony and enabling audiences around the world to experience the performances of the Berliner Philharmoniker in the highest quality."

www.digitalconcerthall.com/cocreation-sony