In a fairly unexpected move, Hasbro -- the world's largest toy company -- has acquired eOne Entertainment in a $4 billion purchase of the independent Canadian studio.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the deal, announced Thursday night, effectively brings all of eOne's TV and film properties -- which include the unfathomably popular kids' shows, Peppa Pig and PJ Masks -- as well as their music arm's massive catalog -- featuring albums and one-offs from Wu-Tang Clan, The Diplomats, Tupac, Chuck Berry, Kaytranada, Chromeo, Brandy, and Death Row Records, which the label required in 2013 -- under one factory mold of a roof.
In a statement, Hasbro chairman and CEO, Brian Goldner, expressed an eagerness to work with eOne's wildly successful kid and family franchises. "The acquisition of eOne adds beloved story-led global family brands that deliver strong operating returns to Hasbro’s portfolio and provides a pipeline of new brand creation driven by family-oriented storytelling, which will now include Hasbro’s IP."
The deal is still pending shareholder and regulatory approval, but the toy giant expects the ink to be signed and dried by the end of the year.