Peter Levinsohn

Peter Levinsohn serves as Vice Chairman and Chief Distribution Officer of Universal Filmed Entertainment Group, where he is responsible for the global distribution strategy for Universal’s Film portfolio, including Universal Pictures, Focus Features, Working Title, Blumhouse Productions, Illumination and DreamWorks Animation. In this role, Levinsohn has oversight over domestic theatrical distribution, global home entertainment, and global television distribution which licenses NBCU’s vast Film and TV portfolio. Levinsohn also leads the team responsible for film technology and innovation.

Most recently, Levinsohn reshaped Universal’s feature film release strategy, leading negotiations that resulted in innovative multi-year agreements across various distribution platforms, including introducing Peacock as the new and exclusive post theatrical home for Universal Films in the first several months of release. The agreements completely modernize the framework for how Universal Films get distributed while providing consumers with unprecedented access across some of the most prolific and widely distributed services and brands available today.

In 2020, when the global pandemic forced theaters around the world to shudder, Levinsohn introduced premium video-on-demand (PVOD) through historic multi-year theatrical exhibition agreements which enabled Universal to release films in the home as early as 17 days after their theatrical release. With theaters closed, he also oversaw the premiere of Trolls World Tour in the home, which went on to become the biggest digital title of all time. The innovation by the studio, led by Levinsohn, upended the studio’s nearly 100-year release strategy and marked the beginning of a transformative moment for the industry.

Prior to Universal, 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 Reporters 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.

Levinson is a member of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences.

Levinsohn holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from Pepperdine University.