DHX Media

DHX Media Ltd.
Public
Traded as TSX: DHX.A, DHX.B
NASDAQ: DHXM
Industry Television production, broadcasting
Predecessors Decode Entertainment
Halifax Film Company
Founded 2006 (2006)
Founder Dana Landry
Headquarters 1478 Queen Street
Halifax, Nova Scotia
B3J 2H7
Vancouver, British Columbia
Number of locations
 10[1]
Key people
Revenue Increase $436 million (2018)[2]
Number of employees
 est.1000 (2015)[3]
Divisions
  • DHX Studios
  • DHX Brands
  • DHX Distribution
  • DHX Television
Subsidiaries
Website dhxmedia.com

DHX Media is a Canadian media production, distribution and broadcasting company. Formed in 2006 by the merger of Decode Entertainment and the Halifax Film Company, the company is the largest independent owner of children's television in the industry.[4]

Following a number of acquisitions, its library grew to include those of Cookie Jar Entertainment (which, in turn, consisted of the libraries of Cinar, DIC Entertainment, Coliseum and FilmFair), Epitome Pictures, Ragdoll Productions, Studio B Productions, WildBrain, Nerd Corps Entertainment, Colossal Pictures, along with those of DHX's two predecessors, Decode Entertainment and Halifax Film Company. In 2017, DHX also acquired a stake in the Peanuts franchise following its purchase of Iconix Brand Group's entertainment division.

In 2013, DHX entered the broadcasting industry with its acquisition of the Canadian specialty television channel Family Channel, and its three spin-off services, from Astral Media as part of Astral's acquisition by Bell Media.

History

Decode Entertainment

Decode Entertainment
Industry Television production, broadcasting
Fate Merged with Halifax Film Company and rebranded as DHX Studios Toronto
Successor DHX Media
Founded 1997 (1997)
Defunct 2011 (2011)
Owner DHX Media
Website www.dhxmedia.com/ Edit this on Wikidata

Decode Entertainment was established 1997 by Steven DeNure, Neil Court and John Delmage. This company produced numerous television shows. Since then, the company has grown to become one of the largest and most important international suppliers of television and interactive programming for children and youth.

Halifax Film Company

Halifax Film Company
Private
Industry Television production, broadcasting
Fate Merged with Decode Entertainment and rebranded as DHX Studios Halifax
Predecessor Salter Street Films
Successor DHX Media
Founded 2004 (2004)
Defunct 2010 (2010)
Owner DHX Media
Website www.dhxmedia.com/ Edit this on Wikidata

Halifax Film Company was established by former Salter Street Films executives Michael Donovan and Charles Bishop in May 2004.[5] The company produced television shows such as the satirical comedy This Hour Has 22 Minutes (begun as a Salter Street production); children's stop-motion series such as Poko and Lunar Jim; CGI productions such as Bo on the Go!, The Mighty Jungle and Animal Mechanicals; as well as the dramas The Guard and North/South.

As DHX Media

In 2006, Decode Entertainment and Halifax Film Company merged to form a public company known as DHX Media; the name derives from the combination of the names Decode and Halifax from the 2006 merger between Decode Entertainment and Halifax Film Company.[6][7] Studio B Productions was acquired by and became a subsidiary of DHX Media on December 4, 2007.[8]

A reverse merger deal with Entertainment One was considered in 2008, but was dropped.[9] On March 25, 2008, DHX Media acquired Bulldog Interactive Fitness.[10] On September 8, 2010, all related subsidiaries and divisions were rebranded under the label DHX Media.[11] On September 14, 2010, DHX Media acquired WildBrain.[12]

On August 20, 2012, it was announced that DHX Media would acquire Cookie Jar Group for $111 million, a deal which would make DHX the world's largest independent owner of children's television programming.[13][14] The acquisition was completed on October 22, 2012.[4]

In May 2013, DHX introduced three premium, subscription-based channels on YouTube; DHX Junior, DHX Kids, and DHX Retro. DHX executive Michael Hirsh explained that the offerings were meant to leverage the company's library and the growth of digital distribution in the children's television market. DHX was among the first 30 content partners for YouTube's premium channel platform.[15][16]

On September 16, 2013, DHX acquired Ragdoll Worldwide—a joint venture between Ragdoll Productions, BBC Worldwide and an investment group that managed and licensed Ragdoll Productions' properties (such as Teletubbies) outside the United Kingdom.[17]

Expansion into broadcasting, subsequent partnerships

On November 28, 2013, DHX announced that it would acquire four children's specialty television channels from the former Astral Media for $170 million, consisting of Family Channel, Disney Junior (English), Disney Junior (French), and Disney XD. The networks were being sold as a condition of Bell Media's 2013 acquisition of the remainder of Astral Media's assets; its purchase of the networks marked DHX's first foray into television broadcasting.[18][19] The deal was approved by the CRTC on July 24, 2014, and closed on July 31, 2014.[20] The channels were incorporated into a new unit, DHX Television.[21]

In early 2014, DHX Media acquired Epitome Pictures, the producers of Degrassi, but Epitome did not own international distribution rights. In November, DHX purchased the rights to 117 titles from Echo Bridge Home Entertainment, the US distributor that owned the international distribution rights to Degrassi, Instant Star and The L.A. Complex, two other Epitome productions plus 117 children's and family series consisting of about 1,200 half-hours and another 34 series' distribution rights. Other shows in the purchase included Lunar Jim, Beast Wars: Transformers and Emily of New Moon.[22] Nerd Corps Entertainment, a Canadian animation studio founded by former Mainframe Entertainment producers Asaph Fipke and Chuck Johnson, also the makers of Slugterra, was acquired by DHX Media on December 24.[23]

In April 2015, Corus Entertainment announced that it had acquired Canadian rights to the program library of Disney Channel and its associated brands as part of a deal with the Disney–ABC Television Group; DHX's existing deal with Disney, which covered programming across the four DHX Television services, ended in January 2016. DHX's Disney-branded channels were re-branded as Family Jr., Family Chrgd, and Télémagino.[24][25][26]

In August 2015, DHX reached an output deal with AwesomenessTV; the deal includes rights to its programming for Family Channel, along with plans to co-develop new, original content for DHX to distribute and merchandise internationally.[24][27] In December 2015, DHX reached an output deal with DreamWorks Animation, which included Canadian rights to its original animated television series, and a pact to co-produce 130 episodes of animated programming for the Family networks, with DHX handling Canadian distribution and DreamWorks handling international distribution.[28] Also that month, DHX established a development deal with Mattel to co-develop and handle global sales for content in the Little People and Polly Pocket, franchises, as well as HiT Entertainment properties owned by them such as the Bob the Builder, Fireman Sam, franchises, including television and digital video programming.[29]

On September 21, 2016, DHX cut a deal with Air Bud Entertainment (founded by Robert Vince) distribute the Air Bud library of 15 films, including the newest Air Bud production Pup Star.[30]

Peanuts acquisition, change in focus

On May 10, 2017, DHX announced that it had acquired the entertainment division of Iconix Brand Group for $345 million. The purchase gave DHX rights to the Strawberry Shortcake franchise and, more prominently, an 80% majority stake in Peanuts Worldwide.[31]

On October 2, 2017, the company announced that it was evaluating strategic alternatives, including a potential sale, following a review of its finances. DHX's debt had increased following the Iconix acquisition, and the company reported a net loss of $18.3 million during its fiscal fourth quarter.[32] On May 14, 2018, DHX announced that it would sell a 39% stake (approximately 49% of its total ownership) in Peanuts Worldwide to its Japanese licensee Sony Music Entertainment Japan for $185 million. The sale will be used to help cover DHX's debt.[33][34]

In October 2018, DHX announced that it had decided against selling the company, and that it planned to prioritize investments into digital content (including short-form digital content, and premium long-form content intended for platforms such as Amazon Video and Netflix), rather than television, to reflect changes in viewing habits. The company reported a year-over-year revenue of $434.4 million (up from $298.7 million in 2017).[35]

Businesses

DHX Media's businesses are divided into four areas:

  • DHX Brands: The division handles brand development, management and licensing, with offices in Toronto, Hong Kong, London, Los Angeles and New York. As a part of the business, DHX Media maintains Copyright Promotions Licensing Group (CPLG), a licensing agency headquartered in London, United Kingdom, which became DHX's subsidiary in the process of the acquisition of Cookie Jar Entertainment, as well as a 80% stake in Peanuts Worldwide, LLC.
  • DHX Distribution: DHX media distributes television shows and specials within their library to various media platforms (including television and online), territory-by-territory. The company maintains distribution offices in Toronto, Beijing, Los Angeles and Paris, and a support team in Toronto.
  • DHX Television: DHX Media operates three English-language television channels (Family Channel, Family Chrgd and Family Jr.) and one French-language channel (Télémagino) in Canada. Previously under Astral Media, DHX purchased the channels in 2013 as a result of Bell Media's acquisition of Astral in the same year.
  • DHX Studios: DHX Media maintains four production studios in three locations within Canada: one (the former Halifax Film Company) in Halifax, Nova Scotia, another one (the former Decode Entertainment) in Toronto, Ontario, and the other two (2D animation — formerly Studio B Productions — and 3D animation — formerly Nerd Corps Entertainment) in Vancouver, British Columbia. The studios handle animated, live action and interactive media production, both original and commissioned.

Libraries

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Profile: DHX Media Ltd (DHXb.TO)". Reuters.com. Thomson Reuters. Retrieved March 6, 2015.
  2. ↑ https://www.dhxmedia.com/financial-news/dhx-media-announces-preliminary-financial-results-for-its-fiscal-2018-q4-and-full-year/#
  3. ↑ http://www.cartoonbrew.com/business/dhx-acquires-nerd-corps-to-create-700-employee-canadian-mega-studio-106483.html
  4. 1 2 Sylvain, Matthew (October 23, 2012). "DHX purchase of Cookie Jar completed". KidScreen. Retrieved December 29, 2012.
  5. ↑ Bracken, Laura (September 13, 2004). "Salter team reborn at Halifax Film Company". PlayBack. Retrieved December 29, 2012.
  6. ↑ DeMott, Rick (May 22, 2006). "DECODE and Halifax Film Go Public as DHX Media". Animation World Network. Retrieved December 27, 2012.
  7. ↑ Stewart, Lianne (June 1, 2006). "Decode teams with Halifax Film Company to create DHX Media". KidScreen. Retrieved December 27, 2012.
  8. 1 2 Ball, Ryan (December 5, 2007). "DHX Media Acquires Studio B Prods". Animation Magazine. Retrieved December 27, 2012.
  9. ↑ Vlessing, Etan (2010-09-14). "DHX buys Wildbrain for $8 million". The Hollywood Reporter. AP. Retrieved March 6, 2015.
  10. ↑ Rusak, Gary (March 24, 2008). "DHX purchases Bulldog Interactive Fitness". KidScreen. Retrieved December 27, 2012.
  11. ↑ McLean, Thomas J. (September 9, 2010). "DHX Media Rebrands Across Divisions". Animation Magazine. Retrieved December 27, 2012.
  12. 1 2 Schneider, Michael (September 14, 2010). "DHX Media acquires Wildbrain". Variety. Retrieved December 27, 2012.
  13. ↑ Vlessing, Etan (August 20, 2012). "DHX Media expands by buying Cookie Jar Entertainment". KidScreen. Retrieved December 29, 2012.
  14. ↑ Clarke, Steve (August 20, 2012). "DHX grabs Cookie Jar: Canuck kids' entertainment companies combine". Chicago Tribune (Variety). Retrieved December 29, 2012.
  15. ↑ Zahed, Ramin (May 12, 2013). "DHX Media Sets Up Three YouTube Pay Channels". Animation Magazine. Retrieved August 21, 2015.
  16. ↑ "YouTube's 30 Pay-Channel Partners Run from Kid Fare to Cage Matches". Variety. Retrieved 29 August 2015.
  17. ↑ Wendy Goldman Getzler (2013-09-16). "DHX Media purchases Ragdoll for US$27.7 million". Kidscreen. Retrieved 2015-03-05.
  18. ↑ "DHX Media to buy Family, other children's channels". Toronto Star. November 28, 2013. Retrieved 29 November 2013.
  19. ↑ "DHX to acquire Family Channel, three others from Bell Media". The Globe and Mail. Toronto. November 28, 2013. Retrieved 29 November 2013.
  20. ↑ Vlessing, Etan (July 25, 2014). "DHX Media approved for Family Channel takeover". KidScreen. Brunico Communications Ltd. Retrieved March 6, 2015.
  21. ↑ "DHX Media closes Family Channel acquisition and announces management changes". Canada Newswire. July 31, 2014. Retrieved July 31, 2014.
  22. ↑ Franks, Nico (November 20, 2014). "DHX takes Echo Bridge titles". c21media. Retrieved November 21, 2014.
  23. ↑ Vlessing, Etan (December 2, 2014). "Canada's DHX Media to Acquire Cartoon Maker Nerd Corps". Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved March 6, 2015.
  24. 1 2 "DHX to Bring AwesomenessTV Shows to Canadian Television". Variety. Retrieved 29 August 2015.
  25. ↑ Dickson, Jeremy (August 21, 2015). "DHX TV reveals fall skeds for rebranded channels". Kid Screen. Retrieved August 21, 2015.
  26. ↑ "Corus Entertainment snaps up Disney content from DHX Media, plans to launch Disney channel in Canada". Financial Post. Postmedia Network. April 16, 2015. Retrieved April 17, 2015.
  27. ↑ "Family Channel's new teen block F2N launches January 4 with the premiere of Degrassi: Next Class" (Press release). CNW. Retrieved 1 December 2015.
  28. ↑ "DreamWorks Animation Inks Strategic Content Pact With DHX Media". Deadline.com. Retrieved 19 December 2015.
  29. ↑ Bradshaw, James (2015-12-16). "DHX Media, Mattel cement long-term partnership". Retrieved 2017-11-07.
  30. 1 2 "DHX Media signs distribution deal with Air Bud Entertainment". Licensing.biz. Retrieved July 2, 2017.
  31. 1 2 "DHX Media Acquires 'Peanuts' in $345 Million Purchase of Iconix". Variety. Retrieved 10 May 2017.
  32. ↑ "Children's programmer DHX puts itself on the block". The Globe and Mail. 2017-10-02. Retrieved 2017-11-07.
  33. ↑ Mitchell, Robert (2018-05-14). "Sony Acquires Stake in DHX Media's 'Peanuts' for Global Partnership". Variety. Retrieved 2018-05-14.
  34. ↑ "DHX sells Peanuts stake to Sony to help reduce debt load". The Globe and Mail. 2018-05-14. Retrieved 2018-05-14.
  35. ↑ "DHX Media shifts strategy toward digital as young viewers' TV habits change". Retrieved 2018-10-02.
  36. ↑ "Cookie Jar, DIC Entertainment to Merge". Broadcasting & Cable. 2008-06-20. Retrieved 2016-01-27.
  37. ↑ "COOKIE JAR ENTERTAINMENT EXPANDS BRAND PORTFOLIO, TALENT AND GLOBAL REACH WITH CLOSING OF DIC TRANSACTION". Cookie Jar Group. 2008-07-23. Archived from the original on 2009-05-31. Retrieved 2008-12-20.
  38. ↑ "CINAR Completes Acquisition of FilmFair" (Press release). CINAR Films, Inc. 26 November 1996. Retrieved 1 April 2011.
  39. ↑ Kelly, Brendan (February 9, 1999). "Cinar gets library, grows Viacom pact". Retrieved January 1, 2017.
  40. ↑ DHX Media acquires library of children's and family TV content
  41. ↑ "DHX Media Acquires 'Degrassi' Producer Epitome". www.dhxmedia.com. DHX Media. Archived from the original on April 14, 2015. Retrieved March 17, 2015.
  42. ↑ Houpt, Simon. "DHX Media Buys Degrassi TV Studio". www.theglobeandmail.com. The Globe and Mail. Retrieved March 19, 2015.
  43. ↑ "Canada's DHX Media to Acquire Nerd Corps". Toonzone. Retrieved 3 December 2014.
  44. ↑ "Teletubbies owner bought by Canadian firm DHX Media". The Guardian (London). 16 September 2013. Retrieved 22 March 2014.
  45. ↑ DHX Media (December 4, 2007). "DHX Media acquires Studio B Productions Inc" (Press release). Canada Newswire. Retrieved December 27, 2012.
  46. ↑ Loveday, Samantha (December 4, 2007). "DHX Media buys up Studio B". Licensing.biz. Retrieved December 27, 2012.
  47. ↑ "DHX Media and Mattel Launch Partnership on Kids Content". DHX Media. Retrieved July 2, 2017.
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