“Peanuts” creator Charles M Schulz died in 2000 at the age of 77. While his family has maintained 20% control of the comic strip and all things “Peanuts”; majority control of the company has belonged to others.
Already owning 39% of the “Peanuts”, Sony has announced that they will be buying WildBrain’s 41% share to take an 80% control of the company.
Sony is paying $457 million to the Canadian company for their stake in the “Peanuts”.
Sony Music Entertainment President Shunsuke Muramatsu spoke on the purchase saying, “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 Groupʼs extensive global network and collective expertise.”
Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Lucy, Linus and the gang made their debut in 1950; appearing in just seven American newspapers. When Schulz ended the comic strip, it was seen daily by millions of people around the world. Reruns of the classic comic continue to run in some papers.
Linus’ security blanket is on display at The Strong Museum of Play in Rochester, New York as a part of the National Toy Hall of Fame.
Sony first acquired interest in Peanuts Holdings LLC in 2018 from WildBrain Ltd; on December 19, they announced the purchase of WildBrain’s remaining shares.
While WildBrain has sold all of their shares in Peanuts Holdings; they still maintain ownership in other children’s entertainment including “Strawberry Shortcake” and the “Teletubbies”.
feature photo courtesy of the AP