HIT Entertainment: Difference between revisions
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===Background=== | ===Background=== | ||
[[Jim Henson Productions]] started negotiations with [[The Walt Disney Company]] regarding a possible purchase of the company in the late 1980s. Because of these negotiations, Orton and other employees at Henson International Television convinced Henson to allow them to spin off the distribution arm as an independent distribution company. Henson agreed, and Orton led a management buyout of the Henson International Television division from Henson in 1989, forming a new company named '''HIT Communications PLC''' (later '''HIT Entertainment PLC'''). In 2001, HIT made a number of acquisitions such as [[Lyrick Studios]] (the owners of ''Barney & Friends''), the ''Pingu'' franchise and in 2003 purchased [[Gullane Entertainment]] (the owners of ''Thomas & Friends'' and ''Fireman Sam''). | [[Jim Henson Productions]] started negotiations with [[The Walt Disney Company]] regarding a possible purchase of the company in the late 1980s. Because of these negotiations, Orton and other employees at Henson International Television convinced Henson to allow them to spin off the distribution arm as an independent distribution company. Henson agreed, and Orton led a management buyout of the Henson International Television division from Henson in 1989, forming a new company named '''HIT Communications PLC''' (later '''HIT Entertainment PLC'''). In 2001, HIT made a number of acquisitions such as [[Lyrick Studios]] (the owners of ''Barney & Friends'' and ''Wishbone''), the ''Pingu'' franchise and in 2003 purchased [[Gullane Entertainment]] (the owners of ''Thomas & Friends'' and ''Fireman Sam''). | ||
On March 22, 2005, HIT was acquired by Apax Partners. Apax Partners agreed to sell HIT (except their stake in Sprout) to Mattel on October 24, 2011 for $680 million, the sale was complete on February 1, 2012. | On March 22, 2005, HIT was acquired by Apax Partners. Apax Partners agreed to sell HIT (except their stake in Sprout) to Mattel on October 24, 2011 for $680 million, the sale was complete on February 1, 2012. | ||