Tributes paid to Red Arrow Studios co-founder Michael Peter Schmidt
The international TV industry has paid tribute to Sipur Studios president and former Red Arrow Studios chief creative officer Michael Peter Schmidt, who has died aged 52.
Schmidt, a major force on the international television stage for more than three decades, died on Sunday, June 22, at his home in Scarsdale, New York.
Known for possessing a rare blend of creative, business and distribution acumen, as well as a smart wit, he was part of the management team that founded ProSiebenSat.1 Media-owned Red Arrow Studios in 2009.
He started his career while still in school as a researcher and writer at German pubcaster WDR in Cologne. He went on to become TV director at entertainment producer Brainpool, creative producer for RTL Television’s entertainment department, executive producer and consultant for Granada Germany and editorial director at youth entertainment station Viva.
Schmidt joined ProSiebenSat.1 Media in 2005, undertaking various roles including senior VP of entertainment for German free TV operations.
Having moved to the US in 2010 to become chief creative officer of Red Arrow Studios (now known as Seven.One Studios), Schmidt lived with his wife and their three children in New York, alongside what he called “a fluctuating population of guinea pigs and hamsters.”
Schmidt spent 15 years with ProSiebenSat.1 Media and, when he left the media giant in 2019, he was credited with playing an instrumental role in the growth of Red Arrow Studios, overseeing its global development, acquisitions, creative partnerships and international production rollouts worldwide.
Since then, Schmidt held roles including chairman of Israeli audience prediction company Vault AI and president of Israel-based Sipur Studios, while he also served as a board member at FRAPA and was a member of the International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.
Schmidt invested in IP and media ventures through his New York-based company, Total Schmidt Show – a name that reflected his trademark sense of humour.
FRAPA said in a statement to C21: “We are in utter shock. We are deeply saddened. Words alone cannot express the profound emptiness we all feel right now. Michael was a dear friend and an industry giant. His influence, intelligence and sense of humour stand as monuments that will forever keep him in our hearts. FRAPA and the entire industry have lost one of our own, one of the greats. Deepest condolences to his beautiful family and to his friends. May his memory be for a blessing. See you down the road dear brother.”
Phil Gurin, The Gurin Company president and CEO and chairman at FRAPA, added: “I have known Michael for more than 20 years. We collaborated on projects, dreamed big dreams, planned great plans, and hoped for the best in both our industry and the world. He was always ahead of the curve with technology and global insights. And he was funny as hell, in his very unique German way.
“He was more than an industry colleague to me, he was a great and valued personal friend, and I was honoured to get to know his family. I will miss this guy so very much, as it is clear our industry has lost a giant. Our table at Madeo’s will never be the same…”
Sipur CEO Emilio Schenker, speaking on behalf of company chairman Gideon Tadmor and the entire studio team, said: “We are heartbroken by this loss of our beloved friend and colleague, and our thoughts are with Michael’s family, friends and all those around the world who had the privilege of working with him and learning from him. He was our mentor and our dear friend – the heart and soul of a young company trying to rise up. He was our guiding source, our compass and our spark.
“Michael was a driving force who has been with me since the beginning in shaping our expanding international strategy of developing, financing, producing films series, documentaries and reality formats for the international market.
“He was as a visionary, hands-on leader and a true champion of the global entertainment industry who has played such a key role in Sipur’s phenomenal growth in a relatively short amount of time. As a longtime senior executive in international television, he brought leadership and unmatched passion, wisdom and integrity to every project he touched. His contributions to the history of the global television industry will resonate for years to come.”
Others to have paid tribute to Schmidt have been former Talpa Global and Quebecor Content exec Cynthia Kennedy, who said: “The world will never be the same without you. How I will miss your kindness, your wicked sense of humour, your incredible generosity and your brilliant mind.
“From the moment we met in your ProSieben office in 2006 when I pitched you some stupid skating show, right up to your witty messages just a couple of days ago, you enriched my life like you did for so many others.”
Schmidt is survived by his wife of 25 years, Gaby Sonnenberg, their children Jonathan, Julia Esther and Bennet, and their beloved dog, Pam, who was constantly by his side sleeping under his desk while he worked. Funeral services are pending and details will be announced shortly.
Sonnenberg said on Facebook on Monday: “I am heartbroken to share the news that my wonderful husband, Michael Peter Schmidt, passed away today 6/22/25. He has been my rock in the surf, my best friend and the love of my life. His kindness, his humour, his contagious laugh will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
“We are still making arrangements for the funeral and will announce details soon. Thank you for your love and support during this incredibly difficult time. Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers.”
A funeral mass for Schmidt will be held at 10.00 (ET) on Tuesday July 1 at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Scarsdale, New York. For those unable to attend, the service will be live-streamed by the church, with a direct link posted here five minutes before the start.
