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Sony Scoops Up Snoopy: Peanuts Franchise Headed for New Era After $457 Million Deal
Sony is officially going nuts over Peanuts, announcing a $457 million deal to acquire majority control of the iconic franchise featuring Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and the rest of the gang, according to reporting by Variety. The deal gives Sony roughly 80% ownership of Peanuts Holdings LLC after purchasing WildBrain’s 41% stake, while the Schulz family retains the remaining 20%. Management of the brand continues through Peanuts Worldwide, which will now become a consolidated subsidiary of the Sony Group, with Sony Music Entertainment Japan taking the lead alongside Sony Pictures Entertainment.
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Sony executives were quick to emphasize that this isn’t a shake-up for the sake of shaking things up. The company says it plans to honor Charles M. Schulz’s legacy while expanding the Peanuts brand using Sony’s global reach across film, television, music, gaming, and consumer products. Peanuts already has a strong presence on Apple TV+ with animated series and specials, and that relationship continues, including a previously announced animated feature film and content partnerships running through 2030.
For theme park fans, this deal raises some interesting questions but doesn’t immediately change anything on the ground. Peanuts attractions currently appear at regional parks, such as Knott’s Berry Farm, and several Cedar Fair and Six Flags locations, under long-standing licensing agreements. Those arrangements typically operate independently of ownership changes, meaning Snoopy’s presence in theme parks should remain stable for now. However, Sony’s increased control could influence future expansions, branding, or new experiences down the line.
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WildBrain, meanwhile, exits the deal debt-free and remains deeply involved with Peanuts as a multi-year partner. The company will continue producing Peanuts content, managing the Snoopy YouTube channel, and serving as licensing agent across several international markets. In short, Snoopy isn’t going anywhere, but he may soon have access to a much bigger doghouse as Sony looks to grow the brand for generations to come.
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