Sunbow Entertainment(known asSunbow Productionsuntil 1995) was an Americananimation studioand distributor, founded on June 23, 1980, and owned until May 4, 1998, byGriffin-Bacal AdvertisinginNew York Cityand in theUnited States.Griffin-Bacal's first animations were animated commercials forHasbro'sG.I. Joetoy line. The success of the animated commercials led partners Tom Griffin and Joe Bacal to form the company. Due to their close working relationship with Hasbro, Sunbow came to be recognized as the toy giant's unofficial television arm.
 Logo used from 1999 to 2005. | |
| Formerly | Sunbow Productions (1980–1995)[1] |
|---|---|
| Industry | Television production Animation production Animated films |
| Founded | June 23, 1980 |
| Founder | Griffin-Bacal Advertising |
| Defunct | December 9, 2009 |
| Fate | Dormant, folded intoTV-Loonland |
| Successor | Sony Pictures Home Entertainment Library: Hasbro Entertainment Studio 100 |
| Headquarters | , United States |
Key people | Tom Griffin Joe Bacal |
| Parent | Griffin-Bacal Advertising(1980–1998) Sony Wonder(1998–2000) TV-Loonland AG(2000–2009) |
| Divisions | Sunbow Productions International |
History
editBeginnings and partnerships with Hasbro and Marvel Productions (1980–1992)
edit
Sunbow is noted for many cartoons aired during the 1980s. Most of their work was co-produced withMarvel Productions.Although it is not limited to Hasbro's various toy lines its reputation is linked to the cartoon series tied to them. Its animation was initially produced by the Japanese animation studioToei Animation,supplemented by the South Korean animation studioAKOMlater on.
By 1987, most of Hasbro's toy lines were losing money and internal struggles forced the company to end popular series such asJem,G.I. JoeandTransformers.Two of Sunbow's animated movies,The Transformers: The MovieandMy Little Pony: The Movie,flopped at the box office, forcing a third project,G.I. Joe: The Movie,to be releaseddirectly to video.It also led to end the partnership with Marvel Productions in late 1980s. Sunbow also worked withTMS Entertainmentwith Hasbro'sVisionaries: Knights of the Magical Light.
Troubles with original material (1992–1998)
editIn a bid to produce original material, Sunbow produced several cartoons through the early 1990s such asThe TickandConan the Adventurer.OnlyThe Tickmanaged to gain popularity and critical acclaim.
Sony Wonder ownership (1998–2000)
editOn May 4, 1998,Sony Wonder,a division ofSony Music,bought Sunbow Productions[2]in order to expand to more original programming for their television division. On May 1, 1999, Sunbow took over European distribution of Sony Wonder's TV IPs.[3][4]
TV-Loonland ownership, dormancy and closure (2000–2009)
editOn October 3, 2000, German-based companyTV-Loonland AGpurchased Sony Wonder's television business assets including Sunbow Entertainment.[5][6]In exchange for the purchase, Sony Wonder retained US distribution rights to the Sunbow catalogue. Previously,Rhino Entertainmentowned the U.S. home video distribution rights to the Sunbow catalogue. The rights then changed hands to Sony Wonder with its acquisition of the catalogue.
On September 5, 2001, the company announced a co-production deal with Rumpus Toys to produceKappa Mikey,with TV-Loonland holding worldwide and home video distribution rights.[7]On May 29, 2002, the project was picked up byNogginfor its teen-oriented programming blockThe N.[8]Noggin/The N signed a co-development deal for the series,[9]For unknown reasons, Sunbow and TV-Loonland would later silently pull out of the deal, with the final produced show having no involvement with the two companies.
On October 12, 2001, Sunbow announced a co-development deal withNickelodeonto produceSkeleton Key,an animated series based on a comic book of the same name[10][11]for an initial run of 13 episodes. However, the series never materialized. On November 6, production on TV specialDonnerwas completed (originally started in June 2001[12]), and aired as planned on December 1, onABC Family.[13]
On April 10, 2002, the studio announced two additional projects -The Many Adventures of Johnny Mutton,andMr Stick & Slug Boy.[14][15]Another pickup came on October 8 with a television adaptation of the bookThe Day I Swapped My Dad for Two Goldfishin development;[15]however, none of these projects would come into fruition.
After the announcement thatThe Cramp Twins' second season would be produced by fellow-Loonland owned studio Telemagination on October 23, 2002,[16]Sunbow later became dormant after their existing projects were shelved, although they still remained as a company until at least 2009.[17]
On March 29, 2007, Sony Music Entertainment announced they would shut down Sony Wonder, leaving the US deal under limbo.[18]However, on June 20, 2007, it was announced that Sony Wonder had been moved intoSony Pictures Home Entertainment,which eventually it renamed as Sony Pictures Family Fun in 2015.[19][20]However, the Sunbow licenses were not included in the purchase.
On May 14, 2008,Hasbroannounced that it had obtained the rights to all the Sunbow Productions animated series based on Hasbro properties for $7 million. This includesTransformers,G.I. Joe,My Little Pony,Jem and the Holograms,and many more.[21][22][23][24]These titles are currently managed as part of theHasbro Entertainmentlibrary.
TV-Loonland filed for bankruptcy on December 9, 2009;[25]its catalogue was acquired by German distributor Made 4 Entertainment on April 5, 2011.[26]In February 2017, Belgian production companyStudio 100purchased a majority stake in m4e.[27]
Filmography
editTelevision series
edit| Show | Year | Network | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Great Space Coaster | 1981–1983 | Syndication | Co-production withMetromedia Television |
| G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero | 1983–1986 | Based on the Hasbro toyline of the same name. Co-production withMarvel Productions[28] | |
| The Transformers | 1984–1987 | based on the Hasbro toyline of same name. Co-production with Marvel Productions[28] | |
| Super Sunday(akaSuper Saturday) | 1985 | based on the Hasbro toyline of the same name. Co-production with Marvel Productions[28] | |
| Jem and the Holograms | 1986 | based on the Hasbro toyline of the same name. Co-production with Marvel Productions[29] | |
| Inhumanoids | based on the Hasbro toyline of the same name. Co-production with Marvel Productions[30] | ||
| My Little Pony 'n Friends | based on the Hasbro toyline of same name. Co-production with Marvel Productions;[28]first half of the show was My Little Pony while the second half was awheel series[31] | ||
| Bucky O'Hare and the Toad Wars![32] | 1991–1992 | co-production with Abrams/Gentile Entertainment,Continuity Comics,IDDH, and Marvel Productions | |
| My Little Pony Tales | 1992 | The Disney Channel | based on the Hasbro toyline of the same name. Co-production withGraz Entertainment |
| Conan the Adventurer | 1992–1993 | Syndication | co-production with Graz Entertainment (Season 1),Créativité & Developpement(Season 2) and AB Productions (Season 2) |
| Conan and the Young Warriors | 1994 | CBS | co-production with Graz Entertainment |
| The Tick | 1994–1996 | Fox | co-production with Graz Entertainment andFox Children's Productions.Currently owned byThe Walt Disney CompanythroughBVS Entertainment |
| The Mask: The Animated Series | 1995–1997 | CBS | co-production withFilm Roman,Dark Horse EntertainmentandNew Line Television.Currently owned byWarner Bros. |
| Littlest Pet Shop | 1995 | Syndication | based on Hasbro toyline. Co-production with Créativité & Développement, and AB Productions. Currently owned byMediawan Thematics |
| G.I. Joe Extreme | 1995 | based on Hasbro toyline. Co-production with Gunther-Wahl Productions and Graz Entertainment | |
| Salty's Lighthouse | 1997–1998 | Syndication (1997) TLC(1998) |
|
| The Crayon Box | Syndication | co-production withChiodo Bros. Productions,Random House Studio,andPolyGram Television | |
| Mission Genesis | 1997 | Sci-Fi Channel | International distribution only. |
| Student Bodies | 1997–2000 | Fox | Season 1 international distribution only. Produced byTelesceneand20th Television |
| The Brothers Flub | 1999–2000 | Nickelodeon Super RTL |
co-production withRavensburger Film + TV,Videal andSony Wonder Television |
| Fat Dog Mendoza | 2000–2001 | Cartoon Network | co-production withTMO-Loonland,Cartoon Network EuropeandSony Wonder Television |
| Generation O! | The WB(Kids' WB) | co-production with RTV Family Entertainment andSony Wonder Television | |
| The Cramp Twins | 2001–2004 | Cartoon Network | co-production withTV-Loonland AGandCartoon Network Europe.Series 2 was produced by Telemagination |
Specials
edit- G.I. Joe: The Revenge of Cobra(1984) (co-production with Marvel Productions)
- The GLO Friends Save Christmas(1985)
- Transformers: Five Faces of Darkness(1986) (co-production with Marvel Productions andAKOM)
- Visionaries: Knights of the Magical Light(1987) (co-production withTMS Entertainment)
- Transformers: The Return of Optimus Prime(1986) (co-production with Marvel Productions)
- Transformers: The Rebirth(1987) (co-production with Marvel Productions)
- Sgt. Savage and his Screaming Eagles(1994) (G.I. Joe: A Real American Herospin-off) (co-production with Graz Entertainment)
Original specials
edit| Airdate | Title | Network | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 25, 1983 | The Charmkins | syndication | based on Hasbro toyline of same name |
| April 14, 1984 | My Little Pony: Rescue at Midnight Castle | syndication | based on Hasbro toyline of same name |
| March 23, 1985 | My Little Pony: Escape from Catrina | syndication | based on Hasbro toyline of same name |
Hasbro properties
- Note: All programs based onHasbroproperties are co-productions with Marvel Productions. These programs are owned byEntertainment One.
Theatrical films
edit| Airdate | Title | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| June 20, 1986 | My Little Pony: The Movie | with Marvel Productions[28] |
| August 8, 1986 | The Transformers: The Movie | with Marvel Productions[28] |
| 1986 | Inhumanoids: The MovieDTV | with Marvel Productions[28] |
| April 20, 1987 | G.I. Joe: The MovieDTV | with Marvel Productions[28] |
TV specials
edit- The Secret World of the Very Young(1984)
- Donner(2001, in cooperation withRainbow Studiosand TV-Loonland AG)
References
edit- ^"Sunbow Productions changed its name"(PDF).Broadcasting.Broadcasting Publications, Inc. March 20, 1995. p. 77.RetrievedApril 28,2022– via World Radio History.
- ^Schneider, Michael (May 1998). "Sony Wonder gets animated".Electronic Media.17(19): 75.
- ^"Sunbow takes Sony Wonder product to market".
- ^"Sony buys Sunbow"(PDF).Broadcasting.Broadcasting Publications, Inc. May 4, 1998. p. 110.RetrievedApril 28,2022– via World Radio History.
- ^Meaux, Francoise (2000-10-03)."MIPCOM: TV-Loonland acquires Sony Wonder | News | Screen".Screendaily.com.Retrieved2016-01-18.
- ^Variety Staff (2000-10-03)."TV Loonland buys up Sony Wonder units".Variety.Retrieved2016-01-18.
- ^"Sunbow and Rumpus to Produce Kappa Mikey Series".
- ^Godfrey, Leigh (May 29, 2002)."Sunbow and Noggin's The N to Co-Develop Kappa Mikey".Animation World Network.
Sunbow Entertainment and The N, Noggin's new network for tweens, have signed a co-development deal for the anime comedy KAPPA MIKEY.
- ^Fraser, Fiona (May 23, 2002)."The N comes onboard Sunbow's Kappa Mikey".C21Media.
- ^"Sunbow and Nick to Develop Skeleton Key".
- ^"Ninth Art - Hold the Front Page: An interview with Andi Watson".www.ninthart.com.Archived fromthe originalon 4 July 2002.Retrieved12 January2022.
- ^"A Half-Hour Christmas CG Cartoon"
- ^"ABC Family wraps up Sunbow cgi show for Xmas".
- ^"Sunbow options two new toons".
- ^ab"Sunbow to adapt Gaiman book".
- ^"The Cramp Twins Picked up for a Second Season".
- ^"TV-Loonland".www.tv-loonland.com.Archived fromthe originalon 15 November 2007.Retrieved12 January2022.
- ^"Transformers DVD news: Report Says Studio with" Transformers "License is Shutting Down - TVShowsOnDVD.com".tvshowsondvd.com.Archived fromthe originalon 29 March 2007.Retrieved19 July2015.
- ^Variety Staff (2007-06-20)."SPHE absorbs Wonder label".Variety.Retrieved2016-01-18.
- ^"Sony Home Ent. Takes Over Sony Wonder | Animation World Network".Awn.com. 2007-06-21.Retrieved2016-01-18.
- ^"Hasbro Reacquires Sunbow Cartoons".ign.com.May 15, 2008.Retrieved6 April2013.
- ^Arnold, Thomas K. (2007-03-13)."Kids label Sony Wonder going under: sources".Reuters.Retrieved2016-01-18.
- ^Arnold, Thomas K. (2007-03-14)."Sony ceases Wonder label".Hollywood Reporter.Retrieved2016-01-18.
- ^Ryan Ball (2007-03-15)."Sony Wonder Closing Shop?".Animation Magazine.Retrieved2016-01-18.
- ^Scott Roxborough, AP (9 December 2009)."TV Loonland files for bankruptcy protection".The Hollywood Reporter.Retrieved19 July2015.
- ^"M4e acquires TV Loonland content library".
- ^"Studio 100 Takes Stake in m4e".6 April 2018.
- ^abcdefghGelman, Morrie (September 17, 1986)."Sunbow Takes To Marvel Like Duck To Water In Animation".Variety.Cahners Business Information. p. 81. Archived fromthe original(jpeg)on February 14, 2012.RetrievedOctober 18,2011.
- ^abSwenson, John (December 22, 1987)."Cartoon Character Puts Singer Into Spotlight".Sun Sentinel.Tribune Publishing.United Press International.RetrievedFebruary 24,2017.
- ^abWebber, Tim (December 10, 2016)."15 Cartoon Superheroes Who Jumped To Comic Books".Comic Book Resources.RetrievedFebruary 24,2017.
- ^abImbesi, Pete (May 5, 2017)."15 CLASSIC Cartoons Marvel SECRETLY Produced".Comic Book Rescoures.RetrievedFebruary 16,2018.
- ^Reddish, David (September 1, 2016)."15 Animated Superhero TV Shows You Completely Forgot About".Screen Rant.RetrievedFebruary 24,2017.
