Entertainment One Buys ‘Peppa Pig’ Producer

LONDON — Entertainment One has taken a 70% stake in Astley Baker Davies, the production company behind preschool show “Peppa Pig,” for ￡140 million ($212 million). The move is in line with eOne’s strategy of doubling the size of the business over the next five years.

ABD, which is run by the show’s creators, directors and producers Mark Baker, Neville Astley and Phil Davies, will become a subsidiary of eOne. The production company has said it will produce a further 52 episodes of “Peppa Pig.”

EOne sees the opportunity for major growth for ABD by pushing “Peppa Pig” into new markets and continued expansion in the U.S., as well as the increased exploitation of licensing and merchandising.

ABD reported revenues of ￡11.1 million ($16.8 million) and profit before tax of ￡2.56 million ($3.88 million) for the year ended Aug. 31, 2014.

Darren Throop, chief executive of eOne, said: “‘Peppa Pig’ has become a worldwide success and reflects the strength of our 10-year partnership working with ABD. Already the number one pre-school property in the U.K., Australia, Spain, Mexico and Brazil, and a leader in other territories around the world, the growth opportunities for ‘Peppa Pig’ are significant.”

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