Hasbro Now Owns Death Row Records - That's Right - The Transformers Can Roll Out with Their Mind on Their Money and Their Money on Their Mind 0

[Buzzetta]

Hasbro made a power move and purchased Entertainment One for $4 Billion. 

Content includes: Peppa Pig and a Music Division that just so happens to be Suge Knight's old label.  

Hasbro is looking to create synergy across all acquisitions so this should be interesting as Hasbro has been trying to develop franchises for the last few years.

https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/hasbro-death-row-records-entertainment-one-875805/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Entertainment_One

[Broke as a Joke]

4 billion?  For peppa pig and a defunct music label?  

Didn't Disney aquire Lucasfilm and Star Wars for the same price?  Something not quite right...

[Gatsby77]

From what I understand Hasbro is buying it less for the IP than for the studio's content production capabilities.

This enables Hasbro to transform from a toy manufacturer that merely licenses its IP to other studios for TV shows and movies into a full-fledged TV / movie production company itself. For instance, Hasbro tried to acquire Lionsgate last year.

Consider that we've seen the following films based on Hasbro properties:

• Transformers
• GI Joe
• My Little Pony
• Ouija

With Entertainment One, they can develop & distribute TV shows, cartoons and films based on these properties in-house.

This is especially important given that their licenses for both Star Wars and Marvel toys are up for renewal next year.

[Bosco685]

Quote

Top eOne executives have agreed to join the Hasbro team, the companies said. eOne’s Canadian TV and film operations will continue as a distinct Canadian-controlled business within the combined entity.

 

Hasbro has been mentioned as a likely M&A participant in recent years, with rumored partners including Lionsgate. Over the years, it has had merger discussions with the other top U.S. toymaker, Mattel.

 

“The acquisition of eOne adds beloved story-led global family brands that deliver strong operating returns to Hasbro’s portfolio and provides a pipeline of new brand creation driven by family-oriented storytelling, which will now include Hasbro’s IP,” Hasbro’s Goldner said. “In addition, Hasbro will leverage eOne’s immersive entertainment capabilities to bring our portfolio of brands that have appeal to gamers, fans and families to all screens globally and realize full franchise economics across our blueprint strategy for shareholders. We are excited to welcome eOne’s talented employees from around the world into the Hasbro family.”

 

Said eOne’s Allan Leighton: “On behalf of the board of eOne, I am very pleased by this exciting development, which is a testament to eOne management’s vision, leadership and solid execution. This transaction creates significant, immediate value for our shareholders as it recognizes the strength of our future-facing business model.”