Sony owns a majority stake in the ‘Peanuts’ after $457 million buyout for WildBrain |
Happiness is taking control of a beloved comic strip.
Sony is buying a 41% stake in the Charles M. Schulz comic Peanuts and its characters including Snoopy and Charlie Brown from Canada’s WildBrain in a $457 million deal, the two companies said Friday.
The deal adds to Sony’s existing 39% stake, bringing its shareholding to 80%, according to a joint statement. The Schulz family will continue to own the remaining 20%.
“With this additional ownership stake, we are thrilled to be able to further elevate the value of the Peanuts........