Sony Music and Sony Pictures will now indirectly own 80% of Peanuts Holdings LLC, while the Charles M.Schulz family will continue to own 20%.
Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) Inc.
(SMEJ), Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc.(SPE), and WildBrain Ltd.have signed a definitive agreement for SMEJ and SPE to indirectly acquire WildBrain’s 41% stake in Peanuts Holdings LLC for $630 million.
The closing of this transaction is subject to closing conditions, including regulatory approvals.The strategic deal will eliminate 100% of WildBrain’s debt and grant the company financial flexibility to accelerate the growth of the and franchises.Under the agreement, WildBrain will also remain a multi-year partner to Peanuts for key services, such as exclusive licensing agent, exclusive production studio for new Peanuts content, distributor for WildBrain-produced Peanuts content, and management of the YouTube channel.
After the deal is finalized, SMEJ and SPE, together with SMEJ’s existing 39% stake, will indirectly own 80% of Peanuts Holdings LLC, while the members of the family of Charles M.Schulz will continue to own 20%.The ownership of rights to “Peanuts” and the management of its business continue to be handled by Peanuts Worldwide LLC (PWW).
Peanuts Holdings LLC will become a consolidated subsidiary of the Sony Group and SMEJ will manage Peanuts Holdings LLC in partnership with SPE.“Since 2018, SMEJ has been proud to be part of the partnership behind ‘Peanuts’, an iconic global entertainment brand with a 75-year legacy of delighting audiences worldwide,” said Shunsuke Muramatsu, President and Group CEO, SMEJ.“With this additional ownership stake, we are thrilled to be able to further elevate the value of the ‘Peanuts’ brand by drawing on the Sony Group’s extensive global network and collective expertise.
We are deeply committed to carrying forward the legacy of Charles Schulz and the Schulz family.Together with SPE, and backed by WildBrain’s continued partnership, we will continue to embrace new opportunities to ensure that ‘Peanuts’ remains a relevant and beloved presence across generations—reaching new audiences and sharing the timeless charm of the ‘Peanuts’ gang for years ahead.” “‘Peanuts’ is enduring and iconic,” said Ravi Ahuja, President and CEO, SPE.“We value the deep collaboration we have with our SMEJ colleagues and look forward to building on their meaningful partnership with WildBrain and the Schulz family.
With our combined strengths, we have the unique capability and extraordinary opportunity to protect and shape the future of these beloved characters for generations to come.”
“Sony has been an excellent partner on the ‘Peanuts’ brand for many years, and we’re confident that Charlie Brown, Snoopy and the gang are in good hands with them,” added Josh Scherba, President and CEO, WildBrain.“We’d like to thank the Peanuts Worldwide team, as well as the Schulz family, for their incredible collaboration, and we look forward to working with them and Sony going forward to continue driving global success for ‘Peanuts’.”
Journalist, antique shop owner, aspiring gemologist—L'Wren brings a diverse perspective to animation, where every frame reflects her varied passions.
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