NBC Universal Acquires DreamWorks Animation for $3.8 Billion

28 Apr, 2016 By: Erik Gruenwedel

---

As expected, Comcast unit NBC Universal is acquiring DreamWorks Animation for $3.8 billion, which is a 27% premium on DWA’s inflated stock price since scuttlebutt about a possible sale first emerged.

DWA, whose movies are distributed at retail by 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment, will join Universal Pictures’ Filmed Entertainment division. Co-founder and CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg becomes chairman of DreamWorks New Media, which includes AwesomenessTV and Nova, and remains a consultant to Universal.

The deal is slated to close by the end of the year.

Separately, Viacom CEO Philippe Dauman told analysts the DWA sale helps his efforts at selling a minority stake in Paramount Pictures. That transaction is expected to close by June, according to Dauman.
 

Bookmark it: