Sony has acquired an 80 percent stake in Peanuts Holdings, taking control of Charles Schulz’s Peanuts brand.
The Japanese conglomerate has bought 41 percent of Peanuts Holdings from the Canadian children’s entertainment company WildBrain.
The remaining 20 percent of Peanuts Holdings is owned by the Schulz family.
The ownership of rights to Peanuts and the management of its business will continue to be handled by Peanuts Worldwide, a subsidiary of Peanuts Holdings, Sony said in a press release.
Peanuts Holdings will become a consolidated subsidiary of Sony, which first acquired an interest in Peanuts Holdings in 2018.
Under Sony's ownership, WildBrain will continue to manage elements of the Peanuts portfolio.
"With this additional ownership stake, we are thrilled to be able to further elevate the value of the Peanuts brand by drawing on the Sony Group’s extensive global network and collective expertise," said Shunsuke Muramatsu, president and Group CEO, Sony Music Entertainment (Japan).
"We are deeply committed to carrying forward the legacy of Charles Schulz and the Schulz family."
Ravi Ahuja, president and CEO, Sony Pictures Entertainment, said: "Peanuts is enduring and iconic.
"We value the deep collaboration we have with our Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) colleagues and look forward to building on their meaningful partnership with WildBrain and the Schulz family.
"With our combined strengths, we have the unique capability and extraordinary opportunity to protect and shape the future of these beloved characters for generations to come.”
Peanuts characters at Six Flags parks
Josh Scherba, president and CEO of WildBrain, said: "Sony has been an excellent partner on the Peanuts brand for many years, and we’re confident that Charlie Brown, Snoopy and the gang are in good hands with them."
Earlier this year, Six Flags extended its licensing agreement with Peanuts Worldwide through to 2030.
Six Flags is the exclusive theme park partner for Peanuts in North America.
