Ultimate Pop Culture Wiki

We're looking to revitalize this wiki! For more information, click here.

READ MORE

Ultimate Pop Culture Wiki
Advertisement

DreamWorks Classics (not Big Idea Entertainment)
FormerlyClassic Media (2000–2012)
TypeSubsidiary
IndustryIntellectual property
PredecessorEntertainment Rights
Boomerang Media
FoundedAs Classic Media: 2000; 25 years ago (2000)
As DreamWorks Classics: 2012; 13 years ago (2012)
Founders
  • Eric Ellenbogen
  • John Engelman
Headquarters,
Key people
  • John Engelman (Chairman & CEO)
  • Robert Friedman (President)
RevenueUS$82 million[1] (2012)
US$19 million[1] (2012)
OwnerDreamWorks Animation
(NBCUniversal) (2012–present)
Number of employees
80[2] (2012)
ParentIndependent (2000-2007);
Entertainment Rights (2007-2009);
Boomerang Media (2009-2012);
DreamWorks Animation (2012-present)
NBCUniversal (2016-present)
Subsidiaries
  • Bullwinkle Studios (50%)[3][4]
Websiteclassics.dreamworksanimation.com

DreamWorks Classics (formerly Classic Media) is an American entertainment company owned by DreamWorks Animation. It was founded as Classic Media in 2000 by Eric Ellenbogen and John Engelman.[5] The studio's library consists of acquired intellectual property catalogs and character brands as well as the licensing rights for various third-party properties. In 2012, DreamWorks Animation acquired Classic Media from its then-owner, Boomerang Media.[3][6]

History[]

Classic Media (2000–2012)[]

File:Classic Media logo.svg

Classic Media logo

Classic Media was founded by Eric Ellenbogen and John Engelman in 2000 and acquired the UPA catalog from Henry Saperstein's estate.[5] Frank Biondi, the former head of Universal Studios, and movie producer Steve Tisch invested in the company.[7] Classic Media then bought the Harvey Entertainment catalog on March 11, 2001.[7][8] On August 16, 2001, Classic Media and Random House won a joint bid for the assets of Golden Books, with Classic Media acquiring Golden Book's entertainment division (including the Dell Comics and Gold Key libraries[9]) and Random House acquiring Golden Books's book publishing properties.[10] By 2004, Classic had formed Bullwinkle Studios, a joint venture with Jay Ward Productions, to manage the Jay Ward characters.[3][4]

On April 7, 2005, the company was recapitalized by a group of investors consisting of Spectrum Equity Investors plus existing investors led by Pegasus Capital Advisors. A $100 million senior debt facility was also arranged from JP Morgan Chase Bank-led bank group. With the deal, Spectrum became a majority owner over the existing investors, with a representative on the company board of directors.[9]

In August 2006, Classic Media announced a joint venture with ION Media Networks, NBCUniversal, Corus Entertainment and Scholastic Corporation to launch Qubo, a kids' entertainment network.[11]

On December 14, 2006, it was announced that Classic Media would be acquired by UK-based rival Entertainment Rights for $210.0 million.[12] Before the acquisition was completed, both companies announced distribution and production agreements with Genius Products, LLC, replacing the Sony Wonder deal.[13]

Entertainment Rights fell in to administration on April 1, 2009.[14] On the same day, Boomerang Media LLC, formed by Ellenbogen and Engelman in 2008 with equity funding from GTCR, announced that it would acquire Entertainment Rights' principal U.K. and U.S. subsidiaries, including Classic Media, Inc. and Big Idea Entertainment, from its administrators.[15] On May 11, 2009, Boomerang Media announced that the former U.K. and U.S. subsidiaries of Entertainment Rights would operate as a unified business under the name Classic Media, while Big Idea would operate under its own name.[16][17] On March 7, 2012, Classic Media brought the "Noddy" brand from Chorion[18] and later brought the "Olivia" brand from them on March 19.[19]

DreamWorks Classics (2012–present)[]

On July 23, 2012, DreamWorks Animation acquired Classic Media from Boomerang Media for $155 million; the company became a unit of DreamWorks Animation and was renamed DreamWorks Classics.[3][6] On June 18, 2014, DreamWorks Animation bought the "Felix the Cat" brand and added it to the DreamWorks Classics portfolio.[20] On April 28, 2016, NBCUniversal announced it would be acquiring DreamWorks Animation for $3.8 billion.[21] The acquisition was completed on August 22.[22]

Libraries[]

Catalogs[]

  • The UPA catalog (Mr. Magoo, Gerald McBoing-Boing, etc.)[5] including:
  • The Harvey Entertainment catalog (Casper the Friendly Ghost, Richie Rich, Baby Huey, etc.),[7][8] including:
  • The Golden Books/Gold Key Comics catalog (Magnus, Robot Fighter, Doctor Solar, Turok, Little Lulu, etc.),[9][25][26] including:
    • The Broadway Video catalog (Lassie, the Lone Ranger, Sergeant Preston of the Yukon, Underdog, Tennessee Tuxedo and His Tales, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Frosty the Snowman, Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town, etc.)[27][28]
    • Shari Lewis' two PBS series (Lamb Chop's Play Along and Charlie Horse Music Pizza)[29]
  • The Entertainment Rights catalog,[14] including:

Character brands[]

Joint ventures[]

  • Bullwinkle Studios, a joint venture with Jay Ward Productions to produce and manage the Jay Ward catalog (The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show, Mr. Peabody & Sherman, George of the Jungle, etc.)[3][4]

Other rights[]

  • Voltron[35]
  • The Tribune Media Services catalog (Dick Tracy, Brenda Starr, Reporter, Gasoline Alley, Broom-Hilda, etc.)[36][37]

See also[]

References[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 Palmeri, Christopher (July 23, 2012). "DreamWorks Animation to Buy Owner of Casper, Lassie Shows". Bloomberg. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2012-07-23/dreamworks-animation-to-buy-owner-of-casper-lassie-shows. Retrieved April 2, 2016. (subscription required)
  2. "DreamWorks buys Casper, Lassie owner Classic Media for $155m". Telegraph. July 23, 2012. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/mediatechnologyandtelecoms/9421389/DreamWorks-buys-Casper-Lassie-owner-Classic-Media-for-155m.html. Retrieved April 2, 2016. 
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Verrier, Richard (July 23, 2012). "DreamWorks Animation buys 'Casper,' 'Lassie' parent Classic Media". Los Angeles Times. http://articles.latimes.com/2012/jul/23/entertainment/la-et-ct-dreamworks-animation-20120722. Retrieved August 31, 2013. 
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 Elliot, Stuart (January 16, 2008). "A Classic Series, Retooled and Swingin'". New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/16/business/media/16adco.html. Retrieved August 3, 2016. 
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 "Classic Media Acquires Harvey Entertainment". Awn.com. August 25, 2000. Retrieved August 4, 2014. {{cite web}}:
  6. 6.0 6.1 Acuna, Kirsten (July 23, 2012). "DreamWorks Studios Buys Classic Media For $155m". Business Insider. Retrieved November 2, 2014. {{cite web}}:
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 "Harvey Sells Out". ICv2. March 11, 2001. Retrieved February 14, 2014. {{cite web}}:
  8. 8.0 8.1 "Harvey Sells All Of Its Classic Characters | Animation World Network". Awn.com. March 9, 2001. Retrieved June 27, 2014. {{cite web}}:
  9. 9.0 9.1 9.2 DeMott, Rick. "Classic Media Gets Monetary Backing". Animation World Network. Awn.com. Retrieved October 24, 2014. {{cite web}}:
  10. "`VeggieTales' goes for $19.3 million – Chicago Tribune". Articles.chicagotribune.com. October 31, 2003. Retrieved June 27, 2014. {{cite web}}:
  11. Hampp, Andrew (August 24, 2006). "NBC Debuts Kids Programming Brand Qubo". Ad Age. Retrieved August 28, 2013. {{cite web}}:
  12. Lodderhose, Diana (December 14, 2006). "Kids' programming specialists join hands". Variety. Retrieved August 28, 2013. {{cite web}}:
  13. "Genius Products Announces Long-term Co-production and Distribution Agreements with Entertainment Rights PLC and Classic Media" (Press release). Genius Products. January 8, 2007. Archived from the original on July 28, 2007. https://web.archive.org/web/20070728223720/http://www.geniusproducts.com/PressRelease.aspx?releaseid=207. Retrieved August 31, 2013. 
  14. 14.0 14.1 Daily Mail Reporter (April 1, 2009). "Entertainment Rights is sold off". This is Money. Retrieved August 28, 2013. {{cite web}}:
  15. Daswani, Mansha. "Boomerang Media Buys ER". WorldScreen.com. Archived from the original on April 2, 2009. Retrieved August 31, 2013. {{cite web}}:
  16. Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named homemedia
  17. Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named awn
  18. 18.0 18.1 Sweney, Mark (March 7, 2012). "Chorion sells rights to Noddy". The Guardian. Retrieved August 28, 2013. {{cite web}}:
  19. 19.0 19.1 Arrant, Chris (March 19, 2012). "Classic Media Acquires "Olivia" Rights from Chorion". Cartoon Brew. Retrieved August 28, 2013. {{cite web}}:
  20. 20.0 20.1 "DreamWorks Picks Up Felix the Cat". License! Global. June 18, 2014. Retrieved June 20, 2014. {{cite web}}:
  21. James, Meg (April 28, 2016). "Comcast's NBCUniversal buys DreamWorks Animation in $3.8-billion deal". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved April 28, 2016. {{cite web}}:
  22. Dave McNary (August 22, 2016). "Comcast Completes $3.8 Billion DreamWorks Animation Purchase". Variety. Retrieved August 27, 2016. {{cite web}}:
  23. "Classic Media Reissues the Original GODZILLA on DVD « SciFi Japan". Scifijapan.com. May 13, 2014. Retrieved August 10, 2014. {{cite web}}:
  24. "Paramount Cartoons 1958–59". Cartoon Research. {{cite web}}:
  25. DeMott, Rick (August 24, 2001). "Random House, Classic Media Buy Bankrupt Golden Books". Animation World Network. Retrieved September 29, 2013. {{cite web}}:
  26. "CNN.com – Golden Books sold for poky little $84M". Edition.cnn.com. August 16, 2001. Retrieved August 8, 2014. {{cite web}}:
  27. Reuters (July 31, 1996). "Golden Books Agrees to Buy a Video Library". The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/1996/07/31/business/the-media-business-golden-books-agrees-to-buy-a-video-library.html. Retrieved August 10, 2014. 
  28. "Golden Books To Buy Family Entertainment Library From Broadway Video". Associated Press. July 30, 1996. http://www.apnewsarchive.com/1996/Golden-Books-To-Buy-Family-Entertainment-Library-From-Broadway-Video/id-bcd4bd8a3c96283ad9b3158d8335e230. Retrieved August 10, 2014. 
  29. "Lamb Chop and Charlie sign on for a Golden deal". Deseret News. July 31, 1997. Retrieved December 21, 2016. {{cite web}}:
  30. "Entertainment Rights buys Filmation". C21Media. March 25, 2004. Retrieved August 28, 2013. {{cite web}}:
  31. "Postman Pat sold for Ł5m". November 8, 2001. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/1644976.stm. Retrieved August 28, 2013. 
  32. "Tweenies maker bought for £3.1m". BBC News. September 13, 2004. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/3650828.stm. Retrieved August 28, 2013. 
  33. Ball, Ryan (September 13, 2004). "Entertainment Rights Acquires Tell-Tale Prods". Animation Magazine. Retrieved August 28, 2013. {{cite web}}:
  34. DreamWorks Animation SKG (July 23, 2012). "Dreamworks Animation Agrees to Acquire Classic Media" (Press release). PR Newswire. http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/dreamworks-animation-agrees-to-acquire-classic-media-163396666.html. Retrieved October 11, 2015. 
  35. Goldman Getzler, Wendy (June 7, 2010). "Voltron returns with full Force". Kidscreen. Retrieved August 28, 2013. {{cite web}}:
  36. "Dick Tracy, Brenda Starr Ink With Classic Media". Billboard. June 14, 2005. Retrieved August 28, 2013. {{cite web}}:
  37. Paskin, Willa (June 13, 2005). "Tribune, Classic in cartoon venture". Variety. Retrieved August 28, 2013. {{cite web}}:

External links[]

Template:NBCUniversal

Advertisement