WildBrain sells its 41 per cent stake in Peanuts franchise to Sony for $630M

Figurines representing Snoopy wear creations as part of Peanuts' 75th Anniversary, at the Snoopy In Style exhibition that runs in Paris. (AP Photo/Thomas Padilla)

TORONTO — WildBrain Ltd. has signed a deal to sell its 41 per cent stake in Peanuts Holdings LLC to Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) Inc. and Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc. for $630 million cash.

The entertainment company says the net proceeds of the sale of its stake in the firm that holds the rights to Charlie Brown, Snoopy and the rest of the Peanuts gang will be used to fully repay its senior secured credit facility.

The company says the leftover cash plus the annual interest savings and incremental balance sheet capacity will be used to fund growth including its Strawberry Shortcake and Teletubbies franchises.

Under the agreement, WildBrain will remain a multi-year partner to Peanuts.

WildBrain acquired an 80 per cent stake in Peanuts in 2017. It sold a 39 per cent stake in the business to Sony in 2018 for $236 million.

The family of Charles M. Schulz, creator of Peanuts, holds a 20 per cent stake in the brand.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 19, 2025.