Canadian production and broadcasting corporation DHX Media has listed itself for sale following disappointing financial results this year. The news follows a major purchase this year of the Peanuts and Strawberry Shortcake properties for $345 million dollars from Iconix Brand Group, which gave the Hallifax, Novia Scotia-based company an 80 percent stake in the Peanuts intellectual property (with the Charles Schulz estate holding on to 20 percent).
DHX Media stressed that despite the announcement, they are continuing to seek alternatives such as mergers, and may not wind up making a transaction after all if they choose. They’ve assembled a special internal committee to evaluate their possible options.
In recent years, DHX has focused on acquiring properties and furthering Video-on-Demand access worldwide. In addition to Peanuts and Strawberry Shortcake, they own the rights to the shows Bob the Builder, Inspector Gadget, and Degrassi. They’ve further bolstered their library by acquiring Canadian rival Cookie Jar Entertainment, along with the Arthur, Caillou, and Care Bears properties. They also own Teletubbies creators Ragdoll Worldwide.
[Sources: CBC, Hollywood Reporter]
