"Happiness is taking control of a beloved comic strip. Sony is buying a 41% stake in the Charles M. Schulz comic "Peanuts" and its characters including Snoopy and Charlie Brown from Canada's WildBrain in a $457 million deal, the two companies said Friday. The deal adds to Sony's existing 39% stake, bringing its shareholding to 80%, according to a joint statement."
"The strip offers enduring images of kites stuck in trees, Charlie Brown trying to kick a football, tart-tongued Lucy handing out advice for a nickel, and Snoopy taking the occasional flight of fancy to the skies. Phrases such as "security blanket," "good grief" and "happiness is a warm puppy" are a part of the global vernacular. Schulz died in 2000."
Sony is purchasing WildBrain's 41% stake in Peanuts Holdings for CAD 630 million ($457 million), increasing Sony's stake from 39% to 80% while the Schulz family retains 20%. Peanuts Holdings' rights and business management are handled by a wholly owned subsidiary. Sony Music and Sony's movie divisions executed a definitive agreement to complete the transaction. Peanuts debuted on Oct. 2, 1950, grew to appear in more than 2,600 newspapers across 75 countries, and contributed phrases like "good grief" and "security blanket" to global culture. WildBrain also owns franchises such as Strawberry Shortcake and Teletubbies.
Read at Fast Company
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