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This article is about the company formerly known as DHX Media. For the company that DHX acquired in 2010, seeWildbrain Entertainment.For the British multi-channel network formerly known as WildBrain and WildBrain Spark, seeWildBrain London.
"DHX Media" redirects here. Not to be confused withTHX.

WildBrain Ltd.
FormerlyDHX Media (2006–19)
Company typePublic
TSX:WILD
IndustryTelevision production
Broadcasting
PredecessorsWildbrain Entertainment
Decode Entertainment
Halifax Film Company
Cookie Jar Group
DIC Entertainment
Ragdoll Worldwide
Founded2006;18 years ago(2006)
FoundersMichael Donovan
Steven DeNure
Headquarters
Halifax, Nova Scotia
,
Canada
Number of locations
10
Key people
Josh Scherba (president andCEO)
RevenueIncreaseCA$439.8 million(FY2019)
Number of employees
est. 1000 (2015)
Divisions
Subsidiaries
Websitewildbrain.com
Footnotes / references
[1][2][3][4][5]
The evolution of WildBrain
1968FilmFairLondon is founded
1971DIC Audiovisuel is founded
1972Strawberry Shortcakebrand is first developed
1974CPLGis founded
1976CINAR andColossal Picturesare founded
1982DIC Enterprises is founded
1984Ragdoll Productionsis founded
1987DIC Audiovisuel closes
1988Studio B Productionsis founded
1992Epitome Picturesis founded
1993DIC Enterprises becomesDIC Entertainment
1994Wild Brainis founded‚ and Red Rover Studios is founded, DIC Entertainment brands as The Incredible World of DIC
1995Platinum Disc Corporation is founded
1996CINAR buys FilmFair's library
1997Decode Entertainmentis founded
1999Wild Brain acquires Colossal Pictures' employee base
2002Nerd Corps Entertainmentis founded
2004Halifax Film Company is founded, CINAR rebrands asCookie Jar Group
2005Platinum Disc Corporation merge asEcho Bridge Home Entertainment
2006Decode and Halifax Film merge as DHX Media, DIC acquires CPLG, and Ragdoll Worldwide is formed withBBC Worldwide
2007DHX Media buys Studio B Productions and Wild Brain becomesWildbrain Entertainment
2008Cookie Jar Group absorbs DIC andHouse of Coolabsorbs Red Rover Studios
2010DHX Media buys Wildbrain Entertainment‚ and Peanuts Worldwide is founded
2011Decode Entertainment and Red Rover Studios closes
2012DHX Media buys Cookie Jar Group
2013DHX Media acquires Ragdoll Worldwide’s back catalogue
2014DHX Media buys Epitome Pictures, Nerd Corps, and Echo Bridge Home Entertainment's family content library, as well asFamily,the English version of Disney Junior,the French version of Disney JuniorandDisney XD;Cookie Jar Group is absorbed
2016The WildBrain multi-channel network launches and Studio B and Nerd Corps merge asDHX Studios
2017Wildbrain Entertainment closes; DHX Media buysPeanuts Worldwideand Strawberry Shortcake
2018Halifax Film becomesIsland of Misfits
2019DHX Media rebrands asWildBrain,Epitome Pictures closes, and the WildBrain MCN becomesWildBrain Spark
2020CPLG becomes WildBrain CPLG
2021Echo Bridge folds into SP Distribution
2023WildBrain acquires House of Cool
2024WildBrain Spark merged into its parent company asWildBrain London

WildBrain Ltd.is a Canadian media, animation studio,production,andbrand licensingcompany, mostly associated as an entertainment company. The company is known for owning the largest independent library ofchildren's television programming,[6]including the assets of acquisitions such asCookie Jar Group,Epitome Pictures,andWildbrain Entertainmentamong others, distribution rights to theJay Ward Productionslibrary, and a stake in thePeanutsfranchise.

The company was founded in 2006 asDHX Media,via a merger betweenDecode Entertainmentand theHalifax Film Company.The company subsequently acquired other studios and assets, acquired the Canadian specialty serviceFamily Channelin 2014 to expand into broadcasting, and established theYouTubemulti-channel networkWildBrain(now WildBrain Spark) in 2016. Building upon the strength of the division, the entirety of the company was rebranded as WildBrain in 2019.

History

As DHX Media

DHX Media logo used from 2010 to 2019

In May 2006, the Toronto-basedDecode Entertainmentmerged with the Halifax-basedHalifax Film Companyas DHX Media, whichwent publicon theToronto Stock Exchange(TSE) and the LondonAlternative Investment Market(AIM). Decode's Neil Court stated that becoming a public company would allow it to raise capital for new ventures, and stated that they planned to pursue the establishment of a licensing division for consumer products.[7][8]A reverse merger deal withEntertainment Onewas considered in 2008, but was dropped.[9]On March 25, 2008, DHX Media acquired Bulldog Interactive Fitness.[10]The name, "DHX" drives from the combination of the namesDecodeandHalifax.

After the merger, Decode, Halifax Film, andStudio B Productionsinitially maintained their respective brands.[8]On September 8, 2010, the company announced that all of its subsidiaries would be brought under the DHX Media branding.[11][12]On September 14, 2010, DHX Media acquired the American animation studioWildbrain Entertainment,producer of shows such asPoochini,Higglytown Heroes,andYo Gabba Gabba!.[13]

On August 20, 2012, it was announced that DHX Media would acquireCookie Jar Groupfor CA $111 million, a deal which would make DHX the world's largest independent owner of children's television programming.[14][15]The acquisition was completed on October 22, 2012.[6]

In May 2013, DHX introduced three premium, subscription-based channels onYouTube;DHX Junior, DHX Kids, and DHX Retro. DHX's then executive chairman Michael Hirsh stated that the offerings were meant to leverage the company's library and the growth of digital distribution in the children's television market. DHX was among the first 30 content partners for YouTube's premium channel platform.[16][17]

On September 16, 2013, DHX acquired Ragdoll Worldwide—a joint venture between British production companyRagdoll Productions,andBBC Worldwidethat managed and licensedRagdoll Productionsproperties (such asTeletubbiesandIn the Night Garden) outside the United Kingdom—for US$27.7 million.[18][19]

Expansion into broadcasting, subsequent partnerships

On November 28, 2013, DHX announced that it would acquire four children's specialty television channels from the formerAstral MediaforCA$170 million,consisting ofFamily Channel,Disney Junior (English),Disney Junior (French),andDisney XD.The networks were being sold as a condition ofBell Media's 2013 acquisition of Astral Media; its purchase of the networks marked DHX's first foray into television broadcasting.[20][21]The deal was approved by theCRTCon July 24, 2014, and closed on July 31, 2014.[22]The channels were incorporated into a new unit, DHX Television.[23]

In early 2014, DHX Media acquiredEpitome Pictures,the company that produced the post-2001 entries of theDegrassifranchise, but Epitome did not own international distribution rights. In November, DHX purchased 117 children's and family titles from US distributorEcho Bridge Home Entertainment.The acquisition comprised about 1,200 half-hours including the international distribution rights toDegrassi,as well asInstant StarandThe L.A. Complex(two other Epitome productions), as well as distribution rights to an additional 34 series. Other shows in the purchase includedLunar Jim,Beast Wars: Transformersand Cookie Jar'sEmily of New Moon.[24]Nerd Corps Entertainment,a computer animation studio founded by formerMainframe EntertainmentproducersAsaph Fipkeand Chuck Johnson, also the makers ofSlugterra,was acquired by DHX Media on December 24.[25]

In April 2015,Corus Entertainmentannounced that it had acquired Canadian rights to the program library ofDisney Channeland its associated brands as part of a deal with theDisney–ABC Television Group;DHX's existing deal with Disney, which covered programming across the four DHX Television services, ended in January 2016. DHX's Disney-branded channels were re-branded asFamily Jr.andTélémagino[26][27][28]in September 2015.

In August 2015, DHX reached an output deal withAwesomenessTV;the deal includes rights to its programming for Family Channel, along with plans to co-develop new, original content for DHX to distribute and merchandise internationally.[26][29]In December 2015, DHX reached an output deal withDreamWorks Animation,which included Canadian rights to its original animated television series, and a pact to co-produce 130 episodes of animated programming for the Family networks, with DHX handling Canadian distribution and DreamWorks handling international distribution.[30]Also that month, DHX established a development deal withMattelto co-develop and handle global sales for content in theLittle PeopleandPolly Pocketfranchises, as well asHiT Entertainmentproperties owned by them such as theBob the BuilderandFireman Samfranchises, including television and digital video programming.[31]

In April 2016, DHX Media announced the formation of a newLondon-basedmulti-channel networkunder theWildBrainname.[32]On September 21, 2016, DHX cut a deal withAir Bud Entertainment(founded byRobert Vince) distribute the Air Bud library of 15 films, including the newest Air Bud production Pup Star.[33]

Peanuts acquisition, reorganizations

On May 10, 2017, DHX announced that it had acquired the entertainment division ofIconix Brand GroupforUS$345 million.The purchase gave DHX full ownership to theStrawberry Shortcakefranchise and, more prominently, an 80% majority stake inPeanuts Worldwide.[34]

On October 2, 2017, the company announced that it was evaluating strategic alternatives, including a potential sale, following a review of its finances. DHX's debt had increased following the Iconix acquisition, and the company reported a net loss ofCA$18.3 millionduring its fiscal fourth quarter.[35]

On May 14, 2018, DHX announced that it would sell a 39% stake (approximately 49% of its total ownership) in Peanuts Worldwide to its Japanese licenseeSony Music Entertainment JapanforUS$185 million.The sale would be used to help cover DHX's debt.[36][37]

On September 24, 2018, DHX announced that it had concluded its strategic review and decided against selling the company, and that it planned to prioritize investments into digital content (including short-form digital content for WildBrain, and premium long-form content for subscription streaming services such asAmazon Prime VideoandNetflix), to reflect changes in viewing habits. On the same day, the company also reported a revenue of CA $434.4 million for its fiscal 2018 (up from CA $298.7 million in its fiscal 2017).[38]In November 2018, DHX announced the sale of its Halifax animation studio to IoM Media Ventures, a new company led by former DHX CEO Dana Landry. The Halifax animation studio had been operating on a loss. The sale was completed on December 21, 2018.[39][40][41]

In February 2019, the company announced plans to consolidate its operations into two internal subsidiaries for "improved focus and strategic flexibility", focused on studios and networks, and global content assets (including digital) respectively. During its investors' call, then CEOMichael Donovanstated that the company had slightly downsized its slate of productions to "focus on the shows we think have the greatest potential, particularly with respect to consumer products".[41]

As WildBrain

In August 2019, formerMarvel EntertainmentCEO and founder ofClassic Media(now DreamWorks Classics)Eric Ellenbogenwas named the new CEO of DHX Media.[42]On September 23, 2019, the company announced that it had changed its name to WildBrain, building upon its multi-channel network of the same name (which was subsequently renamed to "WildBrain Spark" ). Company president Josh Scherba explained that the name was "synonymous with creativity, imagination and innovation", and symbolized the company's efforts to achieve stronger collaboration and integration between its businesses. DHX shareholders officially approved the change in corporate name to WildBrain Ltd. during its annual shareholder meeting in December.[43][44]

On February 3, 2022, WildBrain acquired distribution, production, and licensing rights to theJay Ward Productionsportfolio; both companies will create new content based on the portfolio. The deal excluded co-productions from the Bullwinkle Studios venture that was operated byDreamWorks Classicsbefore the new deal was made.[45]That November, the studio made a production deal withHow to Train Your DragonproducerBonnie Arnold,through which she would produce television and film content for the studio. The first projects following the deal are set to be adaptations ofCressida Crowell'sWhich Way to Anywherenovel andEmily Broenseries.[46]

Josh Scherba became president and CEO of the company in 2023.[47]WildBrain announced its intent to acquire Toronto-based animation studioHouse of CoolforCA$18.3 millionon March 29, 2023.[48]The acquisition was completed in July 2023. As part of the deal, House of Cool co-founders Wes Lui and Ricardo Curtis joined WildBrain as co-general managers of the studio.[49]On November 27, 2023, New Metric Media purchased back the distribution rights to their productions from WildBrain, includingLetterkenny.[50]

Businesses

  • WildBrain CPLG(formerly Copyright Promotions Licensing Group), a third-party entertainment, sport and brand licensing agency headquartered in London, United Kingdom with offices around the world, became a subsidiary to WildBrain in the process of the acquisition ofCookie Jar Entertainment.
  • WildBrain Distribution:WildBrain distributes television shows and specials withintheir libraryto various media platforms, territory-by-territory. The company maintains distribution offices in Toronto, Beijing, Los Angeles, New York, London, and Paris, and a support team in Toronto.
  • WildBrain Television:WildBrain operates four Canadian specialty television channels: three in English (Family Channel,Family Jr.,andWildBrainTV) and a French-language channel (Télémagino). They were acquired in 2013 fromBell Mediaas part of its acquisition ofAstral Media.
  • WildBrain Studios:WildBrain maintains a production studio inVancouver,British Columbia,and formerly operated 3 others.
    The logo of WildBrain Spark from 2019 to 2024
  • WildBrain Londonis amulti-channel networkbased inLondon,England,that programs digital children's content on services such asYouTube—including content from WildBrain's library and properties, as well as edutainment and toys.[32]It was formerly known as simply "WildBrain" until DHX's 2019 rebranding.[43]The division has also entered into partnerships with other parties to manage their digital properties.[51][52][53]The WildBrain Spark channel is among the largest children's channels on YouTube, and accounted for $70 million of WildBrain's revenue in 2019.[54]
  • House of Coolis a pre-production studio that specializes in design and storyboards for series, films and commercials.

See also

References

  1. ^"Contact Us".WildBrain.
  2. ^Amidi, Amid (2 December 2014)."DHX Acquires Nerd Corps To Create 700-Employee Canadian Mega-Studio".Cartoon Brew.
  3. ^McClelland, Colin."DHX Media to rebrand as WildBrain, appoints new CFO as it works to rebound from heavy losses".Financial Post.Retrieved2 March2020.
  4. ^"Profile: DHX Media Ltd (DHXb.TO)".Reuters.com.Thomson Reuters. Archived fromthe originalon April 2, 2015.RetrievedMarch 6,2015.
  5. ^Taylor, Roger."DHX founder Michael Donovan resigns".The Chronicle Herald.Retrieved2 March2020.
  6. ^abSylvain, Matthew (October 23, 2012)."DHX purchase of Cookie Jar completed".KidScreen.RetrievedDecember 29,2012.
  7. ^DeMott, Rick (May 22, 2006)."DECODE and Halifax Film Go Public as DHX Media".Animation World Network.RetrievedDecember 27,2012.
  8. ^abStewart, Lianne (June 1, 2006)."Decode teams with Halifax Film Company to create DHX Media".KidScreen.RetrievedDecember 27,2012.
  9. ^Vlessing, Etan (2010-09-14)."DHX buys Wildbrain for $8 million".The Hollywood Reporter.AP.RetrievedMarch 6,2015.
  10. ^Rusak, Gary (March 24, 2008)."DHX purchases Bulldog Interactive Fitness".KidScreen.RetrievedDecember 27,2012.
  11. ^"Rebrand for DHX Media".C21media.Retrieved2024-01-31.
  12. ^McLean, Thomas J. (September 9, 2010)."DHX Media Rebrands Across Divisions".Animation Magazine.RetrievedDecember 27,2012.
  13. ^Schneider, Michael (September 14, 2010)."DHX Media acquires Wildbrain".Variety.RetrievedDecember 27,2012.
  14. ^Vlessing, Etan (August 20, 2012)."DHX Media expands by buying Cookie Jar Entertainment".KidScreen.RetrievedDecember 29,2012.
  15. ^Clarke, Steve (August 20, 2012)."DHX grabs Cookie Jar: Canuck kids' entertainment companies combine".Chicago Tribune (Variety).RetrievedDecember 29,2012.
  16. ^Zahed, Ramin (May 12, 2013)."DHX Media Sets Up Three YouTube Pay Channels".Animation Magazine.RetrievedAugust 21,2015.
  17. ^"YouTube's 30 Pay-Channel Partners Run from Kid Fare to Cage Matches".Variety.Retrieved29 August2015.
  18. ^Getzler, Wendy Goldman (2013-09-16)."DHX Media purchases Ragdoll for US$27.7 million".Kidscreen.Retrieved2015-03-05.
  19. ^Sweney, Mark (2013-09-16)."Teletubbies owner bought by Canadian firm DHX Media".The Guardian.ISSN0261-3077.Retrieved2023-08-01.
  20. ^"DHX Media to buy Family, other children's channels".Toronto Star.November 28, 2013.Retrieved29 November2013.
  21. ^"DHX to acquire Family Channel, three others from Bell Media".The Globe and Mail.Toronto. November 28, 2013.Retrieved29 November2013.
  22. ^Vlessing, Etan (July 25, 2014)."DHX Media approved for Family Channel takeover".KidScreen.Brunico Communications Ltd.RetrievedMarch 6,2015.
  23. ^"DHX Media closes Family Channel acquisition and announces management changes".Canada Newswire.July 31, 2014.RetrievedJuly 31,2014.
  24. ^Franks, Nico (November 20, 2014)."DHX takes Echo Bridge titles".c21media.RetrievedNovember 21,2014.
  25. ^Vlessing, Etan (December 2, 2014)."Canada's DHX Media to Acquire Cartoon Maker Nerd Corps".The Hollywood Reporter.RetrievedMarch 6,2015.
  26. ^ab"DHX to Bring AwesomenessTV Shows to Canadian Television".Variety.7 August 2015.Retrieved29 August2015.
  27. ^Dickson, Jeremy (August 21, 2015)."DHX TV reveals fall skeds for rebranded channels".Kid Screen.RetrievedAugust 21,2015.
  28. ^"Corus Entertainment snaps up Disney content from DHX Media, plans to launch Disney channel in Canada".Financial Post.April 16, 2015.RetrievedApril 17,2015.
  29. ^"Family Channel's new teen block F2N launches January 4 with the premiere of Degrassi: Next Class"(Press release). CNW.Retrieved1 December2015.
  30. ^"DreamWorks Animation Inks Strategic Content Pact With DHX Media".Deadline.com.8 December 2015.Retrieved19 December2015.
  31. ^Bradshaw, James (2015-12-16)."DHX Media, Mattel cement long-term partnership".Retrieved2017-11-07.
  32. ^ab"DHX Media unveils online kids net WildBrain".Kidscreen.April 25, 2016.Retrieved2019-09-23.
  33. ^"DHX Media signs distribution deal with Air Bud Entertainment".Licensing.biz.RetrievedJuly 2,2017.
  34. ^"DHX Media Acquires 'Peanuts' in $345 Million Purchase of Iconix".Variety.10 May 2017.Retrieved10 May2017.
  35. ^"Children's programmer DHX puts itself on the block".The Globe and Mail.2017-10-02.Retrieved2017-11-07.
  36. ^Mitchell, Robert (2018-05-14)."Sony Acquires Stake in DHX Media's 'Peanuts' for Global Partnership".Variety.Retrieved2018-05-14.
  37. ^"DHX sells Peanuts stake to Sony to help reduce debt load".The Globe and Mail.2018-05-14.Retrieved2018-05-14.
  38. ^"DHX Media shifts strategy toward digital as young viewers' TV habits change".Retrieved2018-10-02.
  39. ^"DHX selling Halifax animation studio".Kidscreen.Retrieved2018-12-16.
  40. ^"Former DHX boss acquires Halifax animation studio".The Chronicle Herald.Retrieved2018-12-16.
  41. ^ab"DHX splits company into two subsidiaries".Kidscreen.February 12, 2019.Retrieved2019-09-24.
  42. ^White, Peter (2019-08-30)."'Teletubbies' Owner DHX Media Appoints Former Marvel Chief Eric Ellenbogen As CEO ".Deadline.Retrieved2019-09-23.
  43. ^ab"DHX rebrands as WildBrain".Kidscreen.September 23, 2019.Retrieved2019-09-23.
  44. ^"Dhx Media (Dba Wildbrain) Shareholders Approve Name Change To" Wildbrain Ltd. "And Election Of Directors At Annual And Special Meeting".
  45. ^""Hokey Smokes, Bullwinkle!" – Wildbrain And Jay Ward Productions Join Forces On Legendary Classics: George Of The Jungle, Mr. Peabody & Sherman, Dudley Do-Right, Rocky & Bullwinkle, Super Chicken And More ".
  46. ^Ravindran, Manori (2022-11-03)."Oscar-Nominated 'How to Train Your Dragon' Producer Bonnie Arnold Signs Overall First-Look Deal With Wildbrain (EXCLUSIVE)".Variety.Retrieved2023-07-20.
  47. ^Ltd, WildBrain."Wildbrain Promotes Josh Scherba To President And CEO".www.newswire.ca.Retrieved2023-08-01.
  48. ^Lang, Jamie (March 29, 2023)."Wildbrain Acquires Canadian Pre-Production Studio House Of Cool".Cartoon Brew.RetrievedApril 2,2023.
  49. ^Ltd, WildBrain."Wildbrain Completes House Of Cool Acquisition, Significantly Expanding And Enhancing Its Pre-Production Capabilities".www.prnewswire.com(Press release).Retrieved2023-07-20.
  50. ^"New Metric buys back Letterkenny sales rights, strikes Euro deals with Netflix".C21media.
  51. ^"King Features bolsters licensing team, joins WildBrain".Kidscreen.May 23, 2018.Retrieved2019-09-25.
  52. ^"WildBrain to manage Turner YouTube nets".TBI Vision.2017-01-06.Retrieved2019-09-24.
  53. ^"WildBrain adds Smurfs, Playmobil to portfolio".Kidscreen.Retrieved2019-09-24.
  54. ^Bhayani, Rahim (2019-10-20)."Buy This 1 Stock That Is Sure to Benefit From the Video-Streaming Wars".The Motley Fool Canada.Retrieved2020-03-27.
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