Munich-based EM.TV & Merchandising has acquired the Jim Henson Co. in a
cash and stock transaction valued at US$680 million. The German company now
owns the rights to the Muppets and Sesame Street characters. The purchase
gives EM.TV "some of the most powerful and enduring kids and family brands
worldwide and. . . access to the world's biggest and most important media
market," said Thomas Haffa, EM.TV CEO. "In addition, our investment in
Henson will give us a position in cable networks, which will open up new
distribution channels for our own brands." EM.TV currently supplies 330
hours of programming to Disney Channel Germany; offers classic Warner Bros.
and Hanna-Barbera toons in a Saturday morning program called Junior.TV, and
holds the German rights to THE SIMPSONS. Former president and CEO of Jim
Henson Co., Brian Henson, will remain as a chairman. "I will be able to
devote my energies to my first love, which is driving the creative and
technological forces of the company," Henson explained. Charlie Rinkin, the
current COO of Jim Henson, will assume the role of CEO. This deal comes on
the heals of Jim Henson Co.'s purchase of the famed Charlie Chaplin Studios
in Hollywood, California as their new headquarters.
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
