Hasbro has been named the master worldwide toy licensee for Ghostbusters by Sony Picture Consumer Products. Hasbro will begin producing toys for release in 2020 to tie to the Jason Reitman Ghostbusters sequel, due out July 10 (see "’Ghostbusters’ Casting").
Hasbro has had a number of Ghostbusters ties over the years, including a Kenner toy line from 1986 to 1991, and more recently, a Transformers/Ghostbusters crossover comic series at IDW Publishing this year (see "’Transformers’ and ‘Ghostbusters’ Unite"). IDW currently has the Ghostbusters game license (see "The Boys in Gray Are Back in Action in ‘Ghostbusters: Blackout’").
And Hasbro is acquiring Entertainment One, an independent Canadian film and television studio especially strong in preschool brands, including Peppa Pig, Ben & Holly’s Little Kingdom, Cupcake & Dino: General Services, and others. The purchase price is $4 billion. The acquisition gives Hasbro control of a number of story-driven brands as well as entertainment capabilities that will help Hasbro expand its growing businesses in the segment. Entertainment One management will join Hasbro, and the company’s film and TV business will continue to operate from its Canadian headquarters.