\n<\/p>\n
Sony is paying approximately $460 milliion to purchase Peanuts<\/a> [PDF] and its characters, including Snoopy and Charlie Brown, created by Charles M. Schulz. That\u2019s a 41 percent stake Sony is buying from Canadian firm WildBrain. Since Sony bought 39 percent of the franchise back in 2018, this will give the company an 80 percent stake. The deal is still subject to regulatory approvals, but Peanuts will become Sony\u2019s consolidated subsidiary once it\u2019s closed. Schulz\u2019s family still owns the remaining 20 percent stake in the franchise.<\/p>\n Schulz launched the Peanuts universe in comic strips 75 years ago, back in 1950. The franchise has grown massively since then, spawning animated series, cartoon musicals<\/a> and movies that made Snoopy a household name. The company said that it has focused on expanding the Peanuts IP since it bought 39 percent of the brand years ago. \u201cWith this additional ownership stake, we are thrilled to be able to further elevate the value of the \u02bbPEANUTS\u02bc brand by drawing on the Sony Group\u02bcs extensive global network and collective expertise,\u201d Sony Music Entertainment Japan CEO Shunsuke Muramatsu added.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n