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August 5, 2012
DreamWorks Buys VeggieTales's Owner
Acquisition comes as Big Idea prepares to celebrate 20th anniversary.
DreamWorks Animation has purchased Classic Media, the parent company of Big Idea and the VeggieTales brand. Big Idea will celebrate its 20th anniversary next year.
The $155 million deal gives DreamWorks the rights to more than 450 family titles, including Lassie, Casper the Ghost, The Lone Ranger, and George of the Jungle.
"DreamWorks Animation respects and supports Big Idea's successful history in producing faith-based, family friendly entertainment and is committed to supporting our growth," Big Idea manager Leslie Ferrell said to Christian Retailing. "We expect many wonderful things to come of this partnership."
"[Classic Media] is arguably one of the largest, most valuable collection of characters and branded assets left in the world today," DreamWorks Animation CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg, said to Bloomberg News. "We see this really providing DreamWorks with whole new sets of opportunities.”
In addition to a behind-the-scenes profile of VeggieTales creator Phil Vischer, CT has closely followed Big Idea's ascendency and business troubles, including when Big Idea filed for bankruptcy and attempted to recover under a new owner; when an appeals court reversed the copyright law decision that put Big Idea in bankruptcy; and debate over NBC picking up VeggieTales by cutting out its core.
VeggieTales coverage can be found here.
Comments
Very sad "tale" indeed .... since Dreamworks owners promote a very liberal ...( pro choice, pro gay marriage .... "Spielbergian ?") agenda. If not with their films, then with the politicians they support.
Posted By: DG Garvin | August 6, 2012 11:35 AM
@DG Garvin: Do you know if any conservative, Christian-owned businesses try to purchase Big Idea? If not, then we're in no position to complain about DreamWorks, are we?
Posted By: dessaureaux | August 6, 2012 8:07 PM
There are few if any Christian-owned businesses that have the money Dreamworks has. As a purchaser of VeggieTales, believe me, I'll be watching the shows before I use them for my Sunday School classes and recommending them to parents. Any mention of sex and homosexuality and I'll throw the DVD out or better yet, return it immediately to the store with the reason why. Just because Disney is pro homosexual doesn't mean I want that in their materials either. Also Veggie Tales has already been modified for some TV stations with the removal of God and Jesus in their shows. Just what does these TV shows think VeggieTales is about. They should buy another product more in their vein instead of changing VeggieTales. If they don't listen, many other religious sources for kids are available through Concordia and Zonderkidz with their quality now high quality and getting better. I hope VeggieTales stays with their same concepts and beliefs so I can continue to having every one of their products in our library.
Posted By: Original Anna | August 10, 2012 9:20 PM
Interesting that the comments above are immediately negative. Rather than assume that Veggietales can expand, the leap is made to assume their entire agenda will change. Also interesting that other Christian companies are named as replacement options. ZonderKidz is owned by HarperCollins - is that "ok?". Let's give them the benefit of the doubt at least.
Posted By: Jeff Wilson | September 7, 2012 3:57 PM
I was watching TBN (Trinity Broadcasting Network) today, and they said that VeggieTales will soon be exclusively on TBN.
Posted By: Steve Gilkey | November 20, 2012 12:51 PM
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