Toronto, Canada – July 10, 2018 – 9 Story Media Group and 9 Story Distribution International are pleased to announce that they have entered into an agreement to acquire Breakthrough Entertainment’s kids and family library and development slate. Under the terms of the agreement, 9 Story will acquire 757 half hours of animated and live action kids and family content, bringing 9 Story’s total distribution library to more than 3,500 half hours. The transaction is expected to close within the next 30 days. Financial terms were not disclosed.
9 Story will also take over Breakthrough’s kids and family development slate and have the right to produce future seasons of these properties. Breakthrough has agreed to a 3-year non-compete in the kids and family space but will complete its current kids and family production slate.
Breakthrough’s kids and family division was launched on the worldwide success of the series The Adventures of Dudley the Dragon and today the library includes a diversified mix of popular, high-quality animated and live action content. Properties include hit animated shows like Rocket Monkeys, Jimmy Two Shoes and Captain Flamingo, book based properties such as Margaret Atwood’s Wandering Wenda and Gordon Korman’s Bruno & Boots, along with the acclaimed Anne of Green Gables movie series.
“Breakthrough has built an impressive catalogue of popular animated and live action kids and family content,” said Vince Commisso, President & CEO for 9 Story. “The acquisition adds significant depth and breadth to our distribution library, expands our development slate and production opportunities, and solidifies our position as one of the industry’s top suppliers for kids and family content internationally. In particular, the deal increases 9 Story’s live action offering with top titles like Anne of Green Gables, Bruno & Boots and Max and Shred.”
“Breakthrough is honored to have our award-winning kids content, produced over the last 33 years, become part of 9 Story’s high quality kids and family library,” said Ira Levy, Co-Founder and President of Breakthrough Entertainment. “9 Story’s excellence in kids media is the perfect fit to continue the legacy of Breakthrough’s kids and family catalogue both domestically and in the international market.”
About 9 Story Media Group
9 Story Media Group is a leading creator, producer and distributor of kids and family focused intellectual property. Its award-winning animation studio, Brown Bag Films, is recognized around the world for best-in-class brands such as Doc McStuffins, Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, Octonauts, Wild Kratts, Peter Rabbit and The Magic School Bus: Rides Again. The company’s international distribution arm, 9 Story Distribution International based in Dublin, represents 3,500 half-hours of animated and live-action programming, seen on some of the most respected international channels and platforms. Its in-house consumer products division, 9 Story Brands, builds international entertainment brands for kids, with expertise across creative, brand marketing, and licensing. With facilities in Toronto, Dublin, Manchester and New York, the 9 Story Media group of companies employ over 600 creative and corporate staff. www.9story.com
For further information:
Jennifer Ansley, Vice President, Marketing & Communications, 9 Story Media Group
+1 416 530-9900 ext 230, jennifer.ansley@9story.com