Nov 17, 2022

Hasbro plans to sell part of eOne, but Peppa Pig is not going anywhere.

Hasbro has announced plans to sell part of its Entertainment One (eOne) production division, which includes series such as "Yellow Jackets" and "The Rookie." However, "Peppa Pig" appears to be safe at eOne for now. In fact, Hasbro has indicated that it will focus more on brands like Peppa, Transformers, and My Little Pony.

Hasbro's foray into animation production In 2016, Hasbro acquired Ireland's Boulder Media, where it has produced content based on toy franchises including Transformers and My Little Pony In 2019, Hasbro acquired eOne for about $4 billion

Why Hasbro.

Why Hasbro is selling - Hasbro is predicting a weak holiday season as inflation slows consumer spending. The company told investors that it plans to cut annual costs by up to $300 million and refocus its operations on larger, more profitable brands. The company also recently sold Boulder Media to Australia's Princess Pictures in an effort to cut costs.

According to Chris Cox, Hasbro's new CEO, after the company announced its roadmap for the next few months at a recent investor presentation, "There has been interest from several parties in parts of eOne's television and film business that are valuable but not core to our strategy going forward." The company said. It was this interest that prompted Hasbro to begin considering a sale, Cox said. Hasbro has retained J.P. Morgan and Centerview Partners to assist in the sale.

Going forward-Hasbro plans to "significantly increase its strategic investments in key brands, with a focus on gaming, direct-to-consumer, franchise brands, and licensing." Franchises that the company has identified as areas of focus include Peppa Pig, Transformers, Dungeons & Dragons, Magic: The Gathering, My Little Pony, Power Rangers, Play-Doh, and board games such as Monopoly and Crew. According to Hasbro, the company is also working on new IP, including the animated series "Kiya and the Kimoja Heroes," which will air on Disney Junior and Disney+ in 2023. It also claims that despite the sale of several media assets, the company plans to "expand its entertainment offerings in scripted television, digital short films, and blockbuster movies."