Hasbro has completed its $3.8 billion all-cash acquisition of Entertainment One, the company announced Monday.
The merger gives Hasbro access to a pool of valuable international brands, including the wildly popular children’s character Peppa Pig, along with “PJ Masks,” “Clifford the Big Red Dog” and the upcoming “Ricky Zoom.” Those join Hasbro’s already lucrative existing catalog of properties — which includes “Transformers,” “G.I. Joe,” “Ouija” and what it gained last year after buying the remaining stake in the Mark Gordon Company, the independent TV and film studio behind “Grey’s Anatomy.”
Hasbro has an existing production deal with Paramount Pictures, which now exists under the combined ViacomCBS banner. Yes, these are the days of Hollywood consolidation.
In addition, Hasbro announced that Darren Throop will serve as president and CEO of eOne, reporting to Goldner. Olivier Dumont, eOne’s president of family & brands, film and TV president Steve Bertram and global music president Chris Taylor will also be joining Hasbro, reporting to Throop.
“We are excited about what we can do together and see tremendous opportunity for shareholder value creation through this acquisition,” Brian Goldner, Hasbro chairman and CEO, said in a statement. “Our businesses are highly complementary with substantial synergies and a great cultural fit. The addition of eOne accelerates our blueprint strategy by expanding our brand portfolio with eOne’s beloved global preschool brands, adding proven TV and film expertise, and creating additional opportunities for long-term profitable growth.”