Authentic signs definitive agreement to acquire Care Bears
Authentic has signed a definitive agreement to acquire the intellectual property of the Care Bears franchise, marking the company’s entry into family entertainment with its first character brand. The acquisition expands Authentic’s entertainment platform into character IP and is expected to close in the third quarter of 2026, subject to customary closing conditions.
Multigenerational fanbase
According to Authentic, Care Bears will strengthen its portfolio with a globally recognized franchise that has built a multigenerational fanbase over nearly 45 years. Originally introduced in the early 1980s as a greeting card concept, the brand has grown into a global entertainment franchise with more than $12 billion in lifetime retail sales. It includes more than 100 characters, reaches audiences in over 190 countries, is available in 26 languages, and spans content, gaming, live experiences, and film.
Planning to expand the Care Bears universe
Authentic said it plans to expand the Care Bears universe through its divisions Authentic Studios and Authentic Live, developing new stories, audience experiences, and fan engagement opportunities across content, experiences, and global commerce.
The company described the acquisition as a strategic step in extending its entertainment platform while building on the Care Bears brand’s legacy of positivity, optimism, and friendship.