DreamWorks Classics#Classic Media (2000–2012)

Classic Media was founded by Eric Ellenbogen and John Engelman in May 2000 after acquiring the United Productions of America (UPA) catalog and assets from the estate of Henry Saperstein. Frank Biondi, the former head of Universal Studios, and film producer Steve Tisch invested in the company.{{cite web |url=http://www.icv2.com/articles/news/217.html |title=Harvey Sells Out |website=ICv2 |date=March 11, 2001 |access-date=February 14, 2014 |archive-date=February 22, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222013947/http://www.icv2.com/articles/news/217.html |url-status=live}} Classic Media then bought most assets of The Harvey Entertainment Company on March 11, 2001.{{cite web |last1=DeMott |first1=Rick |title=Harvey Sells All Of Its Classic Characters |url=http://www.awn.com/news/harvey-sells-all-its-classic-characters |website=Animation World Network |access-date=June 27, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714170227/http://www.awn.com/news/harvey-sells-all-its-classic-characters |archive-date=July 14, 2014 |language=en |date=March 9, 2001}} On August 16, 2001, Classic Media and Random House won a joint bid for the assets of Western Publishing, with Classic Media acquiring the entertainment division (including the Dell Comics and Gold Key Comics libraries{{cite web |last1=DeMott |first1=Rick |title=Classic Media Gets Monetary Backing |url=http://www.awn.com/news/classic-media-gets-major-monetary-backing |website=Animation World Network |access-date=October 24, 2014 |archive-date=July 22, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150722201320/http://www.awn.com/news/classic-media-gets-major-monetary-backing |url-status=live}}) and Random House acquiring the Little Golden Books publishing properties. Classic then purchased much rights to the Jay Ward characters and formed Bullwinkle Studios, a joint venture with Jay Ward Productions, to manage them sometime in 2002.{{cite web |last=DeMott |first=Rick |url=http://www.awn.com/news/business/random-house-classic-media-buy-bankrupt-golden-books |title=Random House, Classic Media Buy Bankrupt Golden Books |website=Animation World Network |date=August 24, 2001 |access-date=September 29, 2013}}{{cite web |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2001/BUSINESS/08/16/goldenbooks.re/ |title=Golden Books sold for poky little $84M |website=CNN |date=August 16, 2001 |access-date=August 8, 2014 |archive-date=October 7, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121007004416/http://edition.cnn.com/2001/BUSINESS/08/16/goldenbooks.re/ |url-status=live}} On October 31, 2003, Classic Media purchased the assets of the bankrupt Big Idea Entertainment catalog.{{cite web |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2003/10/31/veggietales-goes-for-193-million/ |title='VeggieTales' goes for $19.3 million |website=Chicago Tribune |date=October 31, 2003 |access-date=June 27, 2014 |archive-date=July 14, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714225425/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2003-10-31/business/0310310396_1_classic-media-llc-veggietales-series-morning-fun |url-status=live}} By 2007, Bullwinkle Studios became converted to a functioning studio.{{cite news |last1=Elliot |first1=Stuart |title=A Classic Series, Retooled and Swingin' |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/16/business/media/16adco.html |access-date=August 3, 2016 |work=New York Times |date=January 16, 2008 |archive-date=August 16, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170816111259/http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/16/business/media/16adco.html |url-status=live}}

On April 7, 2005, the company underwent a recapitalization led by a group of investors, including Spectrum Equity Investors and existing investors headed by Pegasus Capital Advisors. Additionally, a senior debt facility of $100 million was secured through a bank group led by JP Morgan Chase Bank. With the deal, Spectrum became a majority owner over the existing investors, with a representative on the company board of directors.

In August 2006, Classic Media announced a joint venture with ION Media Networks, NBCUniversal, Corus Entertainment and book publisher Scholastic Corporation to launch Qubo, a kids' entertainment network.{{cite web |last=Hampp |first=Andrew |url=http://adage.com/article/media/nbc-debuts-kids-programming-brand-qubo/111473/ |title=NBC Debuts Kids Programming Brand Qubo |website=Ad Age |date=August 24, 2006 |access-date=August 28, 2013 |archive-date=November 14, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141114025255/http://adage.com/article/media/nbc-debuts-kids-programming-brand-qubo/111473/ |url-status=live}}

File:Classic_Media_logo.svg

On December 14, 2006, it was announced that Classic Media would be acquired by UK-based rival Entertainment Rights for $210.0 million.{{cite web |last=Lodderhose |first=Diana |url=https://variety.com/2006/more/news/kids-programming-specialists-join-hands-1117955745/ |title=Kids' programming specialists join hands |work=Variety |date=December 14, 2006 |access-date=August 28, 2013 |archive-date=April 2, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402170009/http://variety.com/2006/more/news/kids-programming-specialists-join-hands-1117955745/ |url-status=live}} Before the acquisition was completed, both companies announced distribution and production agreements with Genius Products LLC, replacing the Sony Wonder deal.{{cite press release |title=Genius Products Announces Long-term Co-production and Distribution Agreements with Entertainment Rights PLC and Classic Media |url=http://www.geniusproducts.com/PressRelease.aspx?releaseid=207 |website=Genius Products |access-date=August 31, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070728223720/http://www.geniusproducts.com/PressRelease.aspx?releaseid=207 |archive-date=July 28, 2007 |date=January 8, 2007}}

Entertainment Rights fell in to administration on April 1, 2009. On the same day, Boomerang Media LLC, formed by Ellenbogen and Engelman in 2008 with equity funding from GTCR, announced that it would acquire Entertainment Rights' principal UK and American subsidiaries, including Classic Media, Inc. and Big Idea Entertainment, from its administrators.{{cite web |last=Daswani |first=Mansha |title=Boomerang Media Buys ER |url=http://www.worldscreen.com/articles/display/20448 |website=WorldScreen.com |access-date=August 31, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090402201507/http://www.worldscreen.com/articles/display/20448 |archive-date=April 2, 2009}} On May 11, 2009, Boomerang Media announced that the former UK and American subsidiaries of Entertainment Rights would operate as a unified business under the name Classic Media, while Big Idea would operate under its own name.

On February 20, 2010, Classic Media purchased the then-upcoming manga-inspired television series My Life Me from the bankrupt TV-Loonland AG.{{cite web|title=Anime/Manga-Inspired My Life Me Sold to Classic Media|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2010-02-20/anime/manga-inspired-my-life-me-sold-to-classic-media|website=Anime News Network|access-date=24 September 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111007123921/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2010-02-20/anime/manga-inspired-my-life-me-sold-to-classic-media|archive-date=7 October 2011|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Bynum|first=Aaron|title='My Life Me' Animation Now in New Hands|url=http://www.animationinsider.net/article.php?articleID=2339|publisher=Animation Insider|access-date=24 September 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120404063445/http://www.animationinsider.net/article.php?articleID=2339|archive-date=4 April 2012|url-status=live}}

Classic Media bought the Noddy{{cite web |last=Sweney |first=Mark |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2012/mar/07/chorion-sell-rights-noddy |title=Chorion sells rights to Noddy |newspaper=The Guardian |date=March 7, 2012 |access-date=August 28, 2013 |archive-date=December 28, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131228100931/http://www.theguardian.com/media/2012/mar/07/chorion-sell-rights-noddy |url-status=live}} and Olivia brands on March 7 and 19, respectively in 2012 from Chorion.{{cite web |last=Arrant |first=Chris |url=http://www.cartoonbrew.com/biz/classic-media-acquires-olivia-rights-from-chorion-59163.html |title=Classic Media Acquires "Olivia" Rights from Chorion |website=Cartoon Brew |date=March 19, 2012 |access-date=August 28, 2013 |archive-date=December 28, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131228082344/http://www.cartoonbrew.com/biz/classic-media-acquires-olivia-rights-from-chorion-59163.html |url-status=live}}

On July 23, 2012, DreamWorks Animation announced that they would acquire Classic Media for $155 million from Boomerang Media, with the deal closing in September of that year. Afterwards, Classic Media began trading as DreamWorks Classics to associate itself with its parent company, although the parent company remained under its former name.

On October 3, 2012, Classic Media made its first post-DreamWorks sale by securing licensing and distribution rights to Studio Hari's The Owl & Co outside of France and other French-speaking territories.{{cite web | url=https://hari-studios.com/en/dreamworks-classics-represente-la-chouette-cie-a-linternational/ | title=Dreamworks Classics représente la Chouette & Cie à l'international | date=October 3, 2012 }}

On September 17, 2013, DreamWorks Animation announced they had purchased the programming library of the British animation studio Chapman Entertainment, and placed distribution through DreamWorks' UK-based TV distribution operation.{{cite web|author=Wendy Goldman Getzler |url=http://kidscreen.com/2013/09/17/dreamworks-animation-scoops-up-chapman-entertainment-library/ |title=DreamWorks scoops up Chapman's library |publisher=Kidscreen |date=17 September 2013 |access-date=27 June 2014}}

On June 18, 2014, DreamWorks Animation bought the Felix the Cat brand and added it to the DreamWorks Classics portfolio.{{cite web |url=http://www.licensemag.com/license-global/dreamworks-picks-felix-cat |title=DreamWorks Picks Up Felix the Cat |website=License! Global |date=June 18, 2014 |access-date=June 20, 2014 |archive-date=April 14, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160414111719/http://www.licensemag.com/license-global/dreamworks-picks-felix-cat |url-status=live}}

On April 28, 2016, NBCUniversal announced it would buy out DreamWorks Animation in a $3.8 billion deal.{{cite web |last1=James |first1=Meg |title=Comcast's NBCUniversal buys DreamWorks Animation in $3.8-billion deal |url=http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/cotown/la-et-ct-nbcuniversal-buys-dreamworks--20160428-story.html |website=Los Angeles Times |access-date=April 28, 2016 |date=April 28, 2016 |archive-date=June 15, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180615004957/http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/cotown/la-et-ct-nbcuniversal-buys-dreamworks--20160428-story.html |url-status=live}} The buyout was completed on August 22.

In January 2020, Classic Media pre-sold streaming rights to three series; Lassie, George of the Jungle and Mr. Magoo, by CBS All Access (now as Paramount+).{{cite news |last1=Tuchow |first1=Ryan |title=CBS All Access scoops up DreamWorks Classics |url=https://kidscreen.com/2020/01/13/cbs-all-access-scoops-up-dreamworks-classics/ |access-date=June 24, 2020 |work=Kidscreen |date=January 13, 2020 |quote=US SVOD CBS All Access is growing its children’s programming with three new animated series from DreamWorks Animation-owned distributor Classics Media. |archive-date=May 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200517101821/https://kidscreen.com/2020/01/13/cbs-all-access-scoops-up-dreamworks-classics/ |url-status=live}}

==Libraries==

• United Productions of America (UPA) (Mr. Magoo and Gerald McBoing-Boing) (excluding theatrical shorts which are still owned by Sony Pictures via Columbia Pictures, and theatrical films owned by third-party companies)
• Several Godzilla films (under license from Toho){{cite web |url=http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2014/03/31/classic-media-reissues-the-original-godzilla-on-dvd/ |title=Classic Media Reissues the Original GODZILLA on DVD |website=Scifijapan.com |date=May 13, 2014 |access-date=August 10, 2014 |archive-date=April 3, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190403215520/http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2014/03/31/classic-media-reissues-the-original-godzilla-on-dvd/ |url-status=dead}}
• The library of The Harvey Entertainment Company (under Harvey Entertainment, Inc.) (Casper the Friendly Ghost, Little Audrey, Richie Rich and Baby Huey) (excluding co-productions owned by third-party companies and the live-action business)
• Golden Books Family Entertainment/Gold Key Comics (Pat the Bunny, Magnus, Robot Fighter, Doctor Solar, Man of the Atom, Turok and Little Lulu), including:
• Broadway Video's former family entertainment library (Lassie, The Lone Ranger and Sergeant Preston of the Yukon),{{cite news |agency=Reuters |title=Golden Books Agrees to Buy a Video Library |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1996/07/31/business/the-media-business-golden-books-agrees-to-buy-a-video-library.html |newspaper=The New York Times |access-date=August 10, 2014 |date=July 31, 1996 |archive-date=August 12, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812213613/http://www.nytimes.com/1996/07/31/business/the-media-business-golden-books-agrees-to-buy-a-video-library.html |url-status=live}}{{cite news |url=https://apnews.com/bcd4bd8a3c96283ad9b3158d8335e230 |title=Golden Books To Buy Family Entertainment Library From Broadway Video |work=Associated Press |date=July 30, 1996 |access-date=August 10, 2014 |archive-date=August 12, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812222516/http://www.apnewsarchive.com/1996/Golden-Books-To-Buy-Family-Entertainment-Library-From-Broadway-Video/id-bcd4bd8a3c96283ad9b3158d8335e230 |url-status=live}} including:
• The pre-1974 Tomorrow Entertainment library
• The pre-September 1974 Rankin/Bass Productions library (Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, The Little Drummer Boy, Frosty the Snowman, Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town and others){{Citation needed|date=June 2022}}
• Color Systems Technology, Inc. (The Mighty Hercules, The Count of Monte Cristo, The Man in the Iron Mask, Brewster's Millions)
• Total Television (Underdog and Tennessee Tuxedo and His Tales){{Citation needed|date=June 2022}} (excluding the 2007 Underdog film, owned by Walt Disney Pictures)
• Shari Lewis Enterprises (Lamb Chop's Play-Along and The Charlie Horse Music Pizza){{cite web |url=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/575367/Lamb-Chop-and-Charlie-sign-on-for-a-Golden-deal.html |title=Lamb Chop and Charlie sign on for a Golden deal |website=Deseret News |date=July 31, 1997 |access-date=December 21, 2016 |archive-date=December 20, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220101916/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/575367/Lamb-Chop-and-Charlie-sign-on-for-a-Golden-deal.html |url-status=dead}}
• Big Idea Entertainment (VeggieTales, 3-2-1 Penguins! and Larryboy: The Cartoon Adventures)
• Entertainment Rights, including:
• Carrington Productions International
• Link Entertainment
• Filmation (The Archie Show, Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids, He-Man and the Masters of the Universe and BraveStarr){{cite web |url=http://www.c21media.net/archives/16861 |title=Entertainment Rights buys Filmation |website=C21Media |date=March 25, 2004 |access-date=August 28, 2013 |archive-date=March 3, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220303145433/https://www.c21media.net/ |url-status=live}} (excluding third-party licensed properties)
• Woodland Animations (Postman Pat, Gran, Bertha and Charlie Chalk){{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/1644976.stm |title=Postman Pat sold for Ł5m |website=BBC News |date=November 8, 2001 |access-date=August 28, 2013 |archive-date=October 16, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131016063057/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/1644976.stm |url-status=live}}
• Tell-Tale Productions (including Boo!, but excluding the rights to Tweenies, owned by BBC Studios){{cite web | url=https://www.c21media.net/news/postman-pat-buys-tweenies-prodco/ | title=Postman Pat buys Tweenies prodco }}{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/3650828.stm |title=Tweenies maker bought for £3.1m |work=BBC News |date=September 13, 2004 |access-date=August 28, 2013 |archive-date=October 16, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131016063137/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/3650828.stm |url-status=live}}{{cite web |last=Ball |first=Ryan |url=http://www.animationmagazine.net/tv/entertainment-rights-acquires-tell-tale-prods/ |title=Entertainment Rights Acquires Tell-Tale Prods. |work=Animation Magazine |date=September 13, 2004 |access-date=August 28, 2013 |archive-date=April 2, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402152541/http://www.animationmagazine.net/tv/entertainment-rights-acquires-tell-tale-prods/ |url-status=live}}
• Sleepy Kids (Dr. Zitbag's Transylvania Pet Shop, Budgie the Little Helicopter and Potsworth & Co.)
• Maddocks Animation (including The Family-Ness, Jimbo and the Jet-Set, Penny Crayon and The Caribou Kitchen)
• Other programs formerly under Entertainment Rights that were produced by other production companies, such as The Basil Brush Show
• The Chapman Entertainment library (Fifi and the Flowertots, Roary the Racing Car, Little Charley Bear and Raa Raa the Noisy Lion){{cite news |url=https://kidscreen.com/2013/09/17/dreamworks-animation-scoops-up-chapman-entertainment-library/ |title=DreamWorks scoops up Chapman's library |website=Kidscreen |date=June 27, 2014 |access-date=June 27, 2014 |archive-date=February 1, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201080427/http://kidscreen.com/2013/09/17/dreamworks-animation-scoops-up-chapman-entertainment-library/ |url-status=live}}

• Noddy
• Olivia
• Felix the Cat
• Where's Waldo?{{cite press release |author1=DreamWorks Animation SKG |title=Dreamworks Animation Agrees to Acquire Classic Media |url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/dreamworks-animation-agrees-to-acquire-classic-media-163396666.html |website=PR Newswire |access-date=October 11, 2015 |date=July 23, 2012 |archive-date=December 17, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151217053326/http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/dreamworks-animation-agrees-to-acquire-classic-media-163396666.html |url-status=live}}
• Rupert Bear{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/4393038.stm |title=Rupert the Bear moves to new home |publisher=BBC News |access-date=3 February 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160204163017/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/4393038.stm |archive-date=4 February 2016}}
• Masters of the Universe characters (via the Filmation catalog; under license from Mattel){{Citation needed|date=May 2022}}
• Roger Ramjet{{Citation needed|date=June 2022}}

• Bullwinkle Studios, a joint venture with Jay Ward Productions to produce and manage the Jay Ward catalog (including The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle, Mr. Peabody & Sherman, Dudley Do-Right and George of the Jungle). DreamWorks' partnership with Bullwinkle Studios ended in February 2022 when the Ward estate partnered with WildBrain.{{cite web |last1=Yossman |first1=K. J. |title='Rocky & Bullwinkle' Owner Jay Ward Productions Inks Deal With WildBrain (EXCLUSIVE) |url=https://variety.com/2022/film/global/jay-ward-productions-wildbrain-deal-1235171086 |website=Variety |access-date=10 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220210003311/https://variety.com/2022/film/global/jay-ward-productions-wildbrain-deal-1235171086/ |archive-date=10 February 2022 |date=3 February 2022 |url-status=live}} DreamWorks continues to own its co-productions with Bullwinkle Studios.{{cite web |last1=Dickson |first1=Jeremy |title=WildBrain to refresh classic Jay Ward animation |url=https://kidscreen.com/2022/02/04/wildbrain-to-refresh-classic-jay-ward-animation |website=Kidscreen |access-date=8 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220223235413/https://kidscreen.com/2022/02/04/wildbrain-to-refresh-classic-jay-ward-animation/ |archive-date=23 February 2022 |date=4 February 2022 |url-status=live}}

• My Life Me{{cite web|title=Anime/Manga-Inspired My Life Me Sold to Classic Media|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2010-02-20/anime/manga-inspired-my-life-me-sold-to-classic-media|website=Anime News Network|access-date=24 September 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111007123921/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2010-02-20/anime/manga-inspired-my-life-me-sold-to-classic-media|archive-date=7 October 2011|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Bynum|first=Aaron|title='My Life Me' Animation Now in New Hands|url=http://www.animationinsider.net/article.php?articleID=2339|publisher=Animation Insider|access-date=24 September 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120404063445/http://www.animationinsider.net/article.php?articleID=2339|archive-date=4 April 2012|url-status=live}}
• OOglies (worldwide distribution excluding UK television rights){{cite web | url=https://www.c21media.net/news/classic-picks-up-ooglies/ | title=Classic picks up Ooglies }}{{cite web |last=Washington |first=Ed |date=March 13, 2012 |url=https://awn.com/dev/news/classic-media-inks-deals-across-central-eastern-europe/ |title=Classic Media Inks Deals Across Central, Eastern Europe |website=Animation World Network |access-date=December 21, 2022}}
• Theodore Tugboat
• Tracy Beaker Returns (worldwide distribution excluding UK television rights){{cite web | url=https://www.c21media.net/news/classic-picks-up-ooglies/ | title=Classic picks up Ooglies }}
• The Tribune Content Agency catalog (including Dick Tracy, Brenda Starr, Reporter, Gasoline Alley and Broom-Hilda){{cite magazine |url=http://www.billboard.com/biz/articles/news/1410847/dick-tracy-brenda-starr-ink-with-classic-media |title=Dick Tracy, Brenda Starr Ink With Classic Media |magazine=Billboard |date=June 14, 2005 |access-date=August 28, 2013 |archive-date=November 28, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151128164641/http://www.billboard.com/biz/articles/news/1410847/dick-tracy-brenda-starr-ink-with-classic-media |url-status=live}}{{cite web |last=Paskin |first=Willa |url=https://variety.com/2005/biz/news/tribune-classic-in-cartoon-venture-1117924364/ |title=Tribune, Classic in cartoon venture |work=Variety |date=June 13, 2005 |access-date=August 28, 2013 |archive-date=April 19, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140419020902/http://variety.com/2005/biz/news/tribune-classic-in-cartoon-venture-1117924364/ |url-status=live}}
• Voltron{{cite web |last=Goldman Getzler |first=Wendy |url=http://kidscreen.com/2010/06/07/voltron-20100607/ |title=Voltron returns with full Force |website=Kidscreen |date=June 7, 2010 |access-date=August 28, 2013 |archive-date=April 18, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120418094714/http://kidscreen.com/2010/06/07/voltron-20100607/ |url-status=live}} (under license from World Events Productions)
• The Owl & Co (Worldwide distribution excluding French-speaking territories)

{{Reflist}}

• {{Official website|https://www.dreamworks.com/classics}}

{{Animation industry in the United States}}

{{DreamWorks animated films||state=collapsed}}

{{NBCUniversal}}

Category:2000 establishments in New York City

Category:2007 mergers and acquisitions

Category:2009 mergers and acquisitions

Category:2012 mergers and acquisitions

Category:American companies established in 2000

Category:DreamWorks Animation

Category:Mass media companies based in New York City

Category:Mass media companies established in 2000