WildBrain

WildBrain Ltd. (formerly known as DHX Media, Ltd.) is a Canadian media, production, and brand licensing company that was formed in 2006 through the merger between Decode Entertainment and the Halifax Film Company. The company is known for owning the largest library of children's television programming,[6] which is distributed through its multi-channel network, WildBrain Spark, and a group of Canadian specialty television channels.

For the former animation studio acquired and subsumed by DHX Media, see WildBrain Entertainment.
"DHX Media" redirects here. It is not to be confused with THX.

WildBrain Ltd.
FormerlyDHX Media (2006–2019)
TypePublic
TSX: WILD
IndustryTelevision production
Broadcasting
PredecessorsWildBrain Entertainment (1994–2016)
Decode Entertainment
Halifax Film Company
Founded2006 (2006)
FoundersMichael Donovan
Steven DeNure
Headquarters5657 Spring Garden Road, Suite 505,
Halifax, Nova Scotia
,
Canada
Number of locations
10
Key people
Revenue CAD $439.8 million (Fiscal 2019)
Number of employees
est. 1000 (2015)
Divisions
Subsidiaries
Websitewildbrain.com
Footnotes / references
[1][2][3][4][5]

History

As DHX Media
Former logo as DHX Media.

In 2006, the Toronto-based Decode Entertainment and Halifax-based Halifax Film Company merged together so that the newly merged company would be named Decode-Halifax Entertainment. The newly public company known as DHX Media, began trading in 2006. The name, "DHX", derives from the combination of the names Decode and Halifax.[7][8]

A reverse merger deal with Entertainment One was considered in 2008, but was dropped.[9] On March 25, 2008, DHX Media acquired Bulldog Interactive Fitness.[10] On September 8, 2010, all related subsidiaries and divisions were rebranded under the label DHX Media.[11] On September 14, 2010, DHX Media acquired the original WildBrain Entertainment.[12]

On August 20, 2012, it was announced that DHX Media would acquire Cookie Jar Group for CA $111 million, a deal which would make DHX the world's largest independent owner of children's television programming.[13][14] The acquisition was completed on October 22, 2012.[6]

In May 2013, DHX introduced three premium, subscription-based channels on YouTube; DHX Junior, DHX Kids, and DHX Retro. DHX's then executive chairman Michael Hirsh explained 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.[15][16]

On September 16, 2013, DHX acquired Ragdoll Worldwide—a joint venture between Ragdoll Productions, BBC Worldwide and an investment group that managed and licensed Ragdoll Productions' properties (such as Teletubbies) outside the United Kingdom.[17]

Expansion into broadcasting, subsequent partnerships

On November 28, 2013, DHX announced that it would acquire four children's specialty television channels from the former Astral Media for CA $170 million, consisting of Family Channel, Disney Junior (English), Disney Junior (French), and Disney XD. The networks were being sold as a condition of Bell Media's 2013 acquisition of the remainder of Astral Media's assets; its purchase of the networks marked DHX's first foray into television broadcasting.[18][19] The deal was approved by the CRTC on July 24, 2014, and closed on July 31, 2014.[20] The channels were incorporated into a new unit, DHX Television.[21]

In early 2014, DHX Media acquired Epitome Pictures, the producers of Degrassi, but Epitome did not own international distribution rights. In November, DHX purchased 117 children's and family titles from US distributor Echo Bridge Home Entertainment. The acquisition comprised about 1,200 half-hours including the international distribution rights to Degrassi, as well as Instant Star and The L.A. Complex (two other Epitome productions), as well as distribution rights to an additional 34 series. Other shows in the purchase included Lunar Jim, Beast Wars: Transformers and Cookie Jar's Emily of New Moon.[22] Nerd Corps Entertainment, a Canadian animation studio founded by former Mainframe Entertainment producers Asaph Fipke and Chuck Johnson, also the makers of Slugterra, was acquired by DHX Media on December 24.[23]

In April 2015, Corus Entertainment announced that it had acquired Canadian rights to the program library of Disney Channel and its associated brands as part of a deal with the Disney–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 as Family Jr. and Télémagino[24][25][26] in September 2015.

In August 2015, DHX reached an output deal with AwesomenessTV; 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.[24][27] In December 2015, DHX reached an output deal with DreamWorks 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.[28] Also that month, DHX established a development deal with Mattel to co-develop and handle global sales for content in the Little People and Polly Pocket franchises, as well as HiT Entertainment properties owned by them such as the Bob the Builder and Fireman Sam franchises, including television and digital video programming.[29]

In April 2016, DHX Media announced the formation of a new London-based multi-channel network under the WildBrain name.[30] On September 21, 2016, DHX cut a deal with Air Bud Entertainment (founded by Robert Vince) distribute the Air Bud library of 15 films, including the newest Air Bud production Pup Star.[31]

Peanuts acquisition, reorganizations

On May 10, 2017, DHX announced that it had acquired the entertainment division of Iconix Brand Group for US$345 million. The purchase gave DHX full ownership to the Strawberry Shortcake franchise and, more prominently, an 80% majority stake in Peanuts Worldwide.[32]

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 of CA $18.3 million during its fiscal fourth quarter.[33] 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 licensee Sony Music Entertainment Japan for US$185 million. The sale would be used to help cover DHX's debt.[34][35]

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 intended for platforms such as Amazon Video and Netflix), rather than television, 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).[36] 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.[37][38][39]

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 digital respectively. During its investors' call, then CEO Michael Donovan stated 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".[39]

As WildBrain

In August 2019, former Marvel Entertainment CEO and founder of Classic Media (now DreamWorks Classics) Eric Ellenbogen was named the new CEO of DHX Media.[40] On September 23, 2019, DHX Media announced a reorganization, including CFO Doug Lamb stepping down and being replaced by existing COO Aaron Ames, and the addition of a new "brand director" position. In addition, DHX began trading as "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 during its annual shareholder meeting in December.[41][42]

Businesses
  • WildBrain CPLG (formerly Copyright Promotions Licensing Group), a third-party entertainment, sport and brand licensing agency headquartered in London, United Kingdom, which became a subsidiary to WildBrain in the process of the acquisition of Cookie Jar Entertainment.
    WildBrain CPLG Logo
  • WildBrain Distribution: WildBrain distributes television shows and specials within their library to various media platforms, territory-by-territory. The company maintains distribution offices in Toronto, Beijing, and Paris, and a support team in Toronto.
  • WildBrain Television: WildBrain operates four Canadian television channels: three in English (Family Channel, Family Jr., and Family Chrgd) and a French-language channel (Télémagino). They were acquired in 2013 from Bell Media as part of its acquisition of Astral Media.
  • WildBrain Studios: WildBrain maintains a production studio in Vancouver, British Columbia, and formally operated 3 others.
    WildBrain Spark logo
  • WildBrain Spark is a multi-channel network based in London, England, that programs digital children's content on services such as YouTube. Such content includes those relating to WildBrain Ltd's own properties, as well as edutainment and toys.[30] It was formerly known as simply "WildBrain" until DHX adopted the name company-wide, after which it adopted its current name in 2019.[41] The division has also entered into partnerships with other parties to manage their digital properties.[43][44][45] The WildBrain Spark channel is among the largest children's channels on YouTube, and accounted for $70 million of WildBrain's revenue in 2019.[46]

Libraries

Main article: List of WildBrain programs

WildBrain's current library includes:

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. Retrieved 2 March 2020.
  4. "Profile: DHX Media Ltd (DHXb.TO)". Reuters.com. Thomson Reuters. Retrieved March 6, 2015.
  5. Taylor, Roger. "DHX founder Michael Donovan resigns". The Chronicle Herald. Retrieved 2 March 2020.
  6. Sylvain, Matthew (October 23, 2012). "DHX purchase of Cookie Jar completed". KidScreen. Retrieved December 29, 2012.
  7. DeMott, Rick (May 22, 2006). "DECODE and Halifax Film Go Public as DHX Media". Animation World Network. Retrieved December 27, 2012.
  8. Stewart, Lianne (June 1, 2006). "Decode teams with Halifax Film Company to create DHX Media". KidScreen. Retrieved December 27, 2012.
  9. Vlessing, Etan (2010-09-14). "DHX buys Wildbrain for $8 million". The Hollywood Reporter. AP. Retrieved March 6, 2015.
  10. Rusak, Gary (March 24, 2008). "DHX purchases Bulldog Interactive Fitness". KidScreen. Retrieved December 27, 2012.
  11. McLean, Thomas J. (September 9, 2010). "DHX Media Rebrands Across Divisions". Animation Magazine. Retrieved December 27, 2012.
  12. Schneider, Michael (September 14, 2010). "DHX Media acquires Wildbrain". Variety. Retrieved December 27, 2012.
  13. Vlessing, Etan (August 20, 2012). "DHX Media expands by buying Cookie Jar Entertainment". KidScreen. Retrieved December 29, 2012.
  14. Clarke, Steve (August 20, 2012). "DHX grabs Cookie Jar: Canuck kids' entertainment companies combine". Chicago Tribune (Variety). Retrieved December 29, 2012.
  15. Zahed, Ramin (May 12, 2013). "DHX Media Sets Up Three YouTube Pay Channels". Animation Magazine. Retrieved August 21, 2015.
  16. "YouTube's 30 Pay-Channel Partners Run from Kid Fare to Cage Matches". Variety. Retrieved 29 August 2015.
  17. Getzler, Wendy Goldman (2013-09-16). "DHX Media purchases Ragdoll for US$27.7 million". Kidscreen. Retrieved 2015-03-05.
  18. "DHX Media to buy Family, other children's channels". Toronto Star. November 28, 2013. Retrieved 29 November 2013.
  19. "DHX to acquire Family Channel, three others from Bell Media". The Globe and Mail. Toronto. November 28, 2013. Retrieved 29 November 2013.
  20. Vlessing, Etan (July 25, 2014). "DHX Media approved for Family Channel takeover". KidScreen. Brunico Communications Ltd. Retrieved March 6, 2015.
  21. "DHX Media closes Family Channel acquisition and announces management changes". Canada Newswire. July 31, 2014. Retrieved July 31, 2014.
  22. Franks, Nico (November 20, 2014). "DHX takes Echo Bridge titles". c21media. Retrieved November 21, 2014.
  23. Vlessing, Etan (December 2, 2014). "Canada's DHX Media to Acquire Cartoon Maker Nerd Corps". Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved March 6, 2015.
  24. "DHX to Bring AwesomenessTV Shows to Canadian Television". Variety. Retrieved 29 August 2015.
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  29. Bradshaw, James (2015-12-16). "DHX Media, Mattel cement long-term partnership". Retrieved 2017-11-07.
  30. "DHX Media unveils online kids net WildBrain". Kidscreen. April 25, 2016. Retrieved 2019-09-23.
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  33. "Children's programmer DHX puts itself on the block". The Globe and Mail. 2017-10-02. Retrieved 2017-11-07.
  34. Mitchell, Robert (2018-05-14). "Sony Acquires Stake in DHX Media's 'Peanuts' for Global Partnership". Variety. Retrieved 2018-05-14.
  35. "DHX sells Peanuts stake to Sony to help reduce debt load". The Globe and Mail. 2018-05-14. Retrieved 2018-05-14.
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  37. "DHX selling Halifax animation studio". Kidscreen. Retrieved 2018-12-16.
  38. "Former DHX boss acquires Halifax animation studio". The Chronicle Herald. Retrieved 2018-12-16.
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  40. White, Peter (2019-08-30). "'Teletubbies' Owner DHX Media Appoints Former Marvel Chief Eric Ellenbogen As CEO". Deadline. Retrieved 2019-09-23.
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  42. https://www.wildbrain.com/financial-news/dhx-media-dba-wildbrain-shareholders-approve-name-change-to-wildbrain-ltd-and-election-of-directors-at-annual-and-special-meeting/
  43. "King Features bolsters licensing team, joins WildBrain". Kidscreen. May 23, 2018. Retrieved 2019-09-25.
  44. "WildBrain to manage Turner YouTube nets". TBI Vision. 2017-01-06. Retrieved 2019-09-24.
  45. "WildBrain adds Smurfs, Playmobil to portfolio". Kidscreen. Retrieved 2019-09-24.
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