Sony Pictures Entertainment is set to take over majority ownership of the iconic Peanuts franchise, acquiring a 41% stake from WildBrain for approximately $457 million. The move brings Sony’s total stake in Peanuts Holdings LLC to 80%, with the Schulz family retaining the remaining 20%.
The acquisition marks a major consolidation of one of the most beloved and enduring properties in pop culture. Peanuts, created by Charles M. Schulz, includes timeless characters like Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Lucy, Linus, and Woodstock, and spans over seven decades of global appeal.
Shunsuke Muramatsu, President and Group CEO of Sony Music Entertainment Japan, said the company was excited to further invest in the Peanuts brand. “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 Group’s extensive global network and collective expertise,” he said.
Muramatsu also emphasized Sony’s respect for the franchise’s legacy. “We are deeply committed to carrying forward the legacy of Charles Schulz and the Schulz family. Together with SPE, and backed by WildBrain’s continued partnership, we will continue to embrace new opportunities to ensure that ‘Peanuts’ remains a relevant and beloved presence across generations.”
Sony Pictures President and CEO Ravi Ahuja echoed that vision, saying, “With our combined strengths, we have the unique capability and extraordinary opportunity to protect and shape the future of these beloved characters for generations to come.”
The Peanuts franchise began as a daily comic strip in 1950 and continued until 2000, eventually becoming one of the most influential comics of all time with nearly 18,000 strips. The characters transcended print with wildly successful animated specials like “A Charlie Brown Christmas” and “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown,” as well as the 2015 theatrical release of “The Peanuts Movie.”
With the brand’s 75th anniversary approaching, Sony’s increased involvement suggests a renewed push to revitalize Peanuts for new generations through global licensing, media projects, and streaming content.
The post Sony Acquires Majority Control of ‘Peanuts’ in $457 Million Deal appeared first on Real News Now.
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