Sony has agreed to acquire a 41 percent interest in the Peanuts brand and its iconic figures, such as Snoopy and Charlie Brown—creations of Charles M. Schulz—for around $460 million from the Canadian company WildBrain. This purchase follows Sony's earlier acquisition of a 39 percent share in 2018, resulting in an overall 80 percent ownership. The transaction awaits necessary regulatory clearances, after which Peanuts will operate as a fully integrated part of Sony. The Schulz family retains the other 20 percent of the property.
The Peanuts world first appeared in newspaper comics in 1950, marking 75 years of existence. Over the decades, it has expanded into numerous animated shows, stage productions with music, and feature films, establishing Snoopy as a globally recognized icon. Sony has been working to broaden the franchise's intellectual property since its initial investment in 2018. Shunsuke Muramatsu, CEO of Sony Music Entertainment Japan, stated that the increased stake allows the company to enhance the Peanuts brand's worth through Sony Group's worldwide resources and shared knowledge.