Sony to Take Majority Control of PEANUTS in $457 Million Deal

Sony is shelling out serious cash to secure a bigger piece of pop culture history. The company has reached a deal to take majority ownership of Peanuts, the iconic franchise created by Charles M. Schulz that introduced the world to Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and the rest of the gang.

Sony Pictures Entertainment and Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) announced they’ve entered a definitive agreement with Canadian media company WildBrain to acquire WildBrain’s 41% stake in Peanuts Holdings LLC.

Sony will pay CAN $630 million for the shares, which comes out to roughly $457 million USD. The deal is still subject to regulatory approvals and standard closing conditions, but once finalized, it reshapes the future ownership of one of the most recognizable brands in entertainment.

When the deal closes, Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) and Sony Pictures Entertainment will collectively control 80% of Peanuts Holdings LLC. That includes Sony Music Entertainment (Japan)’s existing approximately 39% stake. The remaining 20% will stay with the Schulz family.

Ownership of the rights and day-to-day management of the franchise will continue to run through Peanuts Worldwide, which remains a wholly owned subsidiary of Peanuts Holdings LLC.

With Sony now holding the majority, Peanuts Holdings LLC, including Peanuts Worldwide, will become a consolidated subsidiary of the Sony Group. Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) will lead management of the company, working closely with Sony Pictures Entertainment.

Shunsuke Muramatsu, president and group CEO of Sony Music Entertainment (Japan), emphasized how long this partnership has already been building. He said:

“Since 2018, SMEJ has been proud to be part of the partnership behind ‘Peanuts,’ an iconic global entertainment brand with a 75-year legacy of delighting audiences worldwide. 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.

He continued, “We are deeply committed to carrying forward the legacy of Charles Schulz and the Schulz family. Together with SPE, and backed by WildBrain’s continued partnership, we will continue to embrace new opportunities to ensure that ‘Peanuts’ remains a relevant and beloved presence across generations—reaching new audiences and sharing the timeless charm of the ‘Peanuts’ gang for years ahead.”

Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) has been involved with Peanuts Holdings since 2018, focusing on expanding the franchise while maintaining a strong relationship with the Schulz family. Sony says it plans to lean into its experience in character-driven businesses and its global reach to keep growing the Peanuts IP and strengthening the brand worldwide.

Ravi Ahuja, president and CEO of Sony Pictures Entertainment, said, “‘Peanuts’ is enduring and iconic. We value the deep collaboration we have with our SMEJ 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.”

WildBrain, which has been a key partner in managing and producing Peanuts content, also weighed in on the transition. 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. We’d like to thank the Peanuts Worldwide team, as well as the Schulz family, for their incredible collaboration, and we look forward to working with them and Sony going forward to continue driving global success for ‘Peanuts’”

WildBrain says the deal eliminates all of its debt and opens the door for renewed investment in other major properties. According to WildBrain, the move “gives us financial flexibility to accelerate the growth of our iconic franchises Strawberry Shortcake and Teletubbies, while also investing in our premium digital content network across YouTube, FAST and AVOD, and in new technologies to drive innovation.”

Under the agreement, the company remains a multiyear partner for key services. That includes distributing WildBrain-produced Peanuts content, continuing to manage the Snoopy YouTube channel, and serving as the exclusive licensing agent through WildBrain CPLG for consumer products across Europe, the Middle East, China, and much of Asia Pacific, excluding Japan, Australia, and New Zealand.

The Peanuts legacy stretches back to October 2, 1950, when Charles M. Schulz debuted the comic strip in seven newspapers. Over the decades, the franchise has grown into a global powerhouse.

Today it spans animated specials and series, including content streaming on Apple TV, along with thousands of consumer products, amusement park attractions, cultural events, social media, and comic strips in every format imaginable.

With Sony now firmly in control, Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and the rest of the Peanuts crew are set to enter their next era backed by one of the biggest entertainment companies in the world.

If Sony plays this right, the timeless franchise will keep finding new ways to connect with audiences.