DreamWorks Animation

Netflix extends DreamWorks Animation deal

Netflix has struck an expanded relationship with Comcast-NBCUniversal-owned DreamWorks Animation in a move that will initially see animated series Fast & Furious debut on the subscription video-on-demand service. Following Comcast-NBCUniversal’s acquisition of DreamWorks Animation in 2016, which pitched Comcast head-to-head with Disney in the kids and family programming market, Netflix said it had expanded its relationship with […]

Skydance names ex-DreamWorks exec animation president

Skydance Media has named former DreamWorks Animation exec Bill Damaschke as president of animation and family entertainment, effective immediately. In the newly created role, Damaschke will curate and oversee a team dedicated to creating animated and hybrid family programming, in conjunction with the company feature film and TV divisions. Damaschke will report to chief creative […]

NBCU expands Donati’s role into kids, lifestyle

Comcast’s NBCUniversal International has appointed Duccio Donati to take on the newly created role of executive vice president for lifestyle and kids. Donati will report to Kevin MacLellan, NBCU’s chairman for global distribution and international. The position sees Donati broaden his on-going oversight of E! Entertainment Television outside the US, adding international responsibility for the […]

Hasbro ‘ends Lionsgate takeover talks’

Toy giant Hasbro was recently in talks to buy North American studio Lionsgate but has now ended the discussions, according to US reports. A Reuters story unnamed quoted sources saying the deal had fallen flat last week over price disagreements. Hasbro’s strategy for a deal was to improve its position in Hollywood, and create a […]

Robbins exits AwesomenessTV

Brian Robbins is leaving AwesomenessTV, the kids-focused multichannel network he founded five years ago. Robbins co-created AwesomenessTV with Joe Davola in 2012, and together they turned the business into the pre-eminent MCN for children and teenagers, ultimately selling up to DreamWorks Animation. With DreamWorks in turn selling to Comcast for US$3.8 billion, and the joint […]

Katzenberg raises $590m for new venture

Jeffrey Katzenberg has created an LA-based media company, WndrCo, raising US$591.5 million for the venture. A regulatory filing reveals DreamWorks Animation founder and former CEO Katzenberg has established WndrCo as a holding vehicle that will invest in various media and technology businesses. Katzenberg’s next role as been the subject of much speculation since he sold […]

Corus Kids chief to run Sprout in US

Deidre Brennan is leaving Canada’s Corus Entertainment after less than a year to become general manager of NBCUniversal’s children’s channel Sprout. Brennan will oversee all aspects of Sprout’s programming, development, marketing, business strategy and performance at the network, which sits within NBCU Cable Entertainment’s lifestyle networks portfolio. She will report to Frances Berwick, president of […]

Warner vet succeeds Katzenberg at DreamWorks

NBCUniversal has placed ex-Warner Bros. toon chief Chris DeFaria at the fill chief of DreamWorks Animation (DWA)’s new parent group, in effect replacing Jeffrey Katzenberg. This comes after NBCU paid US$3.8 billion for DWA, placed the company within the Universal Filmed Entertainment Group. As part of the deal, DWA founder Katzenberg stepped back from his […]

Alibaba OTT nets bag exclusive DreamWorks deal

Alibaba’s over-the-top services in China will get exclusive access to content from Oriental DreamWorks after signing a three-year agreement. Included in the deal is upcoming SVOD series Trollhunters (pictured), which previously did not have a home in China as Netflix does not have distribution in the territory. Films such as Kung Fu Panda, Shrek and […]

Former Arc exec joins Atomic Cartoons

Canadian studio Atomic Cartoons has hired Matthew Berkowitz as head of development. The new recruit was most recently at Arc Productions, the Toronto-based studio that closed earlier this year amid financial difficulties before Jam Filled Entertainment acquired the assets at auction. At Arc, Berkowitz oversaw the slate and worked with Arc customers and partners including […]