DHX Media Ltd, parent company of distributor DECODE Enterprises and production houses DECODE Ent. and Halifax Film, has acquired Vancouver-based Studio B Prods. Inc.
The deal sees DECODE Enterprises handling international sales of Studio B's productions. To date, Studio B has amassed a library of 400 half-hours of children's programming. DECODE Enterprises currently handles distribution for DHX subsidiaries DECODE Ent. and Halifax Film, as well as third-party producers.
Studio B is a privately owned producer of children's programming with a 24,000-square-foot studio specializing in digital and classical animation. It has a current production slate of seven shows, including KID VS. KAT for YTV, RICKY SPROCKET -- SHOWBIZ BOY for Teletoon and Nickelodeon Networks and MARTHA SPEAKS, co-produced with WGBH Boston. Production will continue under the Studio B brand following the DHX acquisition.
DHX Media will benefit from several new broadcaster relationships, expanded production capabilities and a greater supply of children's programming for distribution. Furthermore, the television series created by Studio B will contribute to DHX Media's strategy of growing a significant library of children's content from which revenues can be generated over multiple platforms.
Blair Peters and Chris Bartleman, Co-Founders and Co-CEOs at Studio B, will continue as co-presidents to operate Studio B as a wholly owned production subsidiary of DHX Media.
Previously DECODE Ent. and Studio B collaborated on the animated series, WHAT ABOUT MIMI?, which is distributed worldwide by DECODE Enterprises.
DHX Media Ltd. shares trade on both London's AIM exchange and the TSX in Toronto.
For more information, visit www.DHXMEDIA.com.
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
