Jonathan Katz Stepping Down As President at Chicken Soup for the Soul

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Exec will serve as senior advisor during transition

Jonathan Katz Scripps Katz Networks
Jonathan Katz (Image credit: Katz Networks)

Jonathan Katz, who joined Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment as president in August 2022, is stepping down from that position, the company said.

Katz joined Chicken Soup as it was expanding by buying Redbox Entertainment. Galen Smith, who had been CEO of Redbox, was made executive vice chairman of Chicken Soup, but left the company in December. 

A long-time Turner executive, Katz had previously launched Katz Networks–a pioneering group of digital broadcast networks–and sold the company to E.W. Scripps Co. in 2017.

According to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission Friday, Katz will serve as a senior advisor to the company effective Saturday, April 22  As a senior advisor, Katz is expected to work with management and other personnel to assure a smooth transition.

In the fourth quarter, Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment reported a $56.3 million loss, up from a $22.4 million loss in the fourth quarter of 2021. Revenue tripled thanks to the Redbox acquisition.

Chicken Soup also planned to raise $10.8 million to get additional working capital by selling Class A equity.

In Friday trading, Chicken Soup for the Soul stock plunged 7% to $1.95 a share. The shares fell another 4% in after-hours trading.

Jon Lafayette
Jon Lafayette

Jon has been business editor of Broadcasting+Cable since 2010. He focuses on revenue-generating activities, including advertising and distribution, as well as executive intrigue and merger and acquisition activity. Just about any story is fair game, if a dollar sign can make its way into the article. Before B+C, Jon covered the industry for TVWeek, Cable World, Electronic Media, Advertising Age and The New York Post. A native New Yorker, Jon is hiding in plain sight in the suburbs of Chicago.