WildBrain to sell its 41% stake in Peanuts to Sony for $630 Million
WIldBrain has signed a definitive agreement to sell its 41% stake in Peanuts Holdings LLC (“Peanuts”), the holding entity for the Peanuts IP, to Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) Inc. and Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc. (together “Sony”) for $630 million cash.1 The ownership of rights to the Peanuts brand and the management of its business are handled by Peanuts Worldwide LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Peanuts Holdings LLC. The family of Charles M. Schulz, creator of Peanuts, retain their 20% stake in the brand. The transaction is subject to certain closing conditions, including regulatory approvals.
Leaving over $40 million cash surplus
The net proceeds will fully repay WildBrain’s Senior Secured Credit Facility (including all fees), leaving over $40 million cash surplus. These funds, plus annual interest savings and incremental balance sheet capacity, will fuel growth in:
Wholly owned franchises, including Strawberry Shortcake and Teletubbies;
Expanding the Company’s premium digital content network and ad footprint (YouTube, FAST, AVOD); and
Investing across emerging technologies to drive innovation and efficiencies.
Under the agreement, WildBrain also remains a multi-year partner to Peanuts for key services, including:
Exclusive licensing agent through WildBrain CPLG for consumer products in all current territories across Europe, the Middle East, China, and Asia Pacific (excluding Japan & ANZ);
Exclusive production studio for new Peanuts content—including the previously announced feature film—under an expansive partnership with Apple TV, recently renewed through 2030; and
Distributor of WildBrain-produced Peanuts content and continued management of the Snoopy YouTube channel.
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