Sony Group to Take Control of 'Peanuts' Franchise — Update

By Ronnie Harui

Sony Group is taking a majority stake in the company that houses the iconic Snoopy and Charlie Brown characters, as the Japanese company continues to beef up its entertainment business.

The Japanese conglomerate said Friday that two of its subsidiaries, Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) and Sony Pictures Entertainment, have agreed to acquire an around 41% stake held by Canadian entertainment company WildBrain in Peanuts Holdings for 630 million Canadian dollars, equivalent to US$457.2 million.

The deal means that the two subsidiaries, together with Sony Music Entertainment (Japan)'s existing approximately 39% equity interest, will indirectly own an 80% equity interest in Peanuts Holdings, Sony said. Peanuts Holdings will become a consolidated subsidiary of Sony, the company said.

The family of Charles M. Schulz, the creator of "Peanuts," will continue to own the remaining 20% stake.

The Japanese electronics and entertainment company has spent billions on acquisitions in recent years to focus on its games and other entertainment businesses.

Earlier this year, Sony acquired an additional stake in major Japanese publishing house Kadokawa for more than $300 million. In July, it said it planned to acquire a stake of about $460 million in Bandai Namco Holdings, known for popular videogames such as "Pac-Man" and "Tekken," to broaden their collaboration.

Sony's transaction to raise its stake in Peanuts Holdings is subject to certain closing conditions, including regulatory approvals, it added.

Sony said it is currently assessing the impact of the transaction on its consolidated financial results.

At the midday break in Tokyo on Friday, Sony shares were 1.15% lower at 4,009 yen, equivalent to US$25.77.

Write to Ronnie Harui at ronnie.harui@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

December 18, 2025 22:30 ET (03:30 GMT)