Sony Pictures Entertainment and Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) have announced a definitive agreement to acquire a majority stake in Charles M. Schulz’s beloved Peanuts franchise. This strategic move will see Sony indirectly acquire WildBrain's entire 41% stake in Peanuts Holdings LLC for CAN $630 million, approximately $457 million. Upon completion of the transaction, which is subject to regulatory approvals, Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) (SMEJ) and Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) will, combined with SMEJ’s existing approximately 39% stake, indirectly own 80% of Peanuts Holdings LLC. The remaining 20% will continue to be held by members of the Charles M. Schulz family.

As a result of this acquisition, Peanuts Holdings LLC, including its wholly owned subsidiary Peanuts Worldwide, which manages the rights and business of “Peanuts,” will become a consolidated subsidiary of the Sony Group. SMEJ is slated to take the lead in managing Peanuts Holdings LLC, working in partnership with SPE. Shunsuke Muramatsu, President and Group CEO of Sony Music Entertainment (Japan), expressed enthusiasm for the increased ownership, highlighting SMEJ’s pride in being part of the “Peanuts” partnership since 2018. He emphasized Sony’s commitment to leveraging the Group’s extensive global network and expertise to elevate the brand's value, preserve Charles Schulz’s legacy, and ensure the timeless charm of the “Peanuts” gang continues to reach new audiences for generations.

Since first acquiring an interest in Peanuts Holdings in 2018, SMEJ has focused on expanding the “Peanuts” intellectual property (IP) business while nurturing its positive relationship with the Schulz family. The company intends to further utilize its character business expertise and the Sony Group’s broad network to drive growth and enhance the brand’s value. Ravi Ahuja, President and CEO of Sony Pictures Entertainment, reiterated the enduring and iconic nature of “Peanuts,” expressing anticipation for building on the established collaboration with SMEJ, WildBrain, and the Schulz family to protect and shape the future of these cherished characters.

The iconic “Peanuts” comic strip, featuring Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and their friends, first debuted on October 2, 1950, in seven newspapers, rapidly growing into a global phenomenon. Beyond its popular shows and specials on Apple TV, the franchise encompasses thousands of consumer products, amusement park attractions, cultural and social events, social media presence, and comic strips across various formats.

For Canadian media company WildBrain, this deal is transformative, as the proceeds will eliminate 100% of its debt, providing significant financial flexibility. This will enable WildBrain to accelerate the growth of its other iconic franchises, such as Strawberry Shortcake and Teletubbies, and invest in its premium digital content network across platforms like YouTube, FAST, and AVOD, alongside new technologies for innovation. Importantly, WildBrain will remain a multiyear partner to Peanuts, continuing key services. These include acting as a distributor for WildBrain-produced Peanuts content, managing the Snoopy YouTube channel, and serving as the exclusive licensing agent through WildBrain CPLG for consumer products across Europe, the Middle East, China, and Asia Pacific (excluding Japan, Australia, and New Zealand). Additionally, WildBrain will operate an exclusive production studio for new Peanuts content, including the previously announced animated feature film, under its renewed partnership with Apple TV, which extends through 2030.