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yesterday

Sony to Take 80% Control of Peanuts in C$630 Million Deal

The move will make Peanuts a consolidated Sony subsidiary under SMEJ oversight.

FILE - Sony Corp. President Kenichiro Yoshida speaks as characters from Peanuts are shown at a press conference at the company's headquarters Tuesday, May 22, 2018, in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko, File)
20th Century
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Overview

  • Sony Pictures Entertainment and Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) agreed to buy WildBrain’s roughly 41% stake for about US$457 million, lifting Sony’s ownership to approximately 80% as the Schulz family retains 20%.
  • The transaction remains subject to customary closing conditions including regulatory approvals.
  • Peanuts Holdings and Peanuts Worldwide will become consolidated subsidiaries of the Sony Group, with Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) leading management in partnership with Sony Pictures Entertainment.
  • WildBrain will stay on as a multiyear partner, distributing WildBrain-produced Peanuts content, managing the Snoopy YouTube channel, and serving as exclusive consumer-products licensing agent across Europe, the Middle East, China, and much of Asia Pacific.
  • Apple TV+ continues as the exclusive streaming home through 2030, including a previously announced animated feature, and WildBrain says the sale eliminates its debt and funds investment in other franchises.