DreamWorks Animation, the studio behind family blockbusters "Kung Fu Panda" and the Oscar-winning "Shrek," is being snapped up by US entertainment and cable giant Comcast in a USD 3.8 billion deal announced today.
Originally part of the DreamWorks group created in the 1990s by Steven Spielberg, David Geffen and former top Disney executive Jeffrey Katzenberg, the studio was spun off as a separate company in 2004.
"DreamWorks will help us grow our film, television, theme parks and consumer products businesses for years to come," said Steve Burke, chief executive of Comcast unit NBCUniversal.
Under the deal, the animation studio will become part of NBCU's Universal Filmed Entertainment Group, which includes Universal Pictures.
Upon completion, the studio's chief executive Katzenberg will become chairman of DreamWorks New Media, which will include some NBCU television operations.
The new role for Katzenberg, which includes acting as consultant to NBC Universal, appeared to confirm reports he was giving up the reins at the studio he built.
"Having spent the past two decades working together with our team to build DreamWorks Animation into one of the world's most beloved brands, I am proud to say that NBCUniversal is the perfect home for our company; a home that will embrace the legacy of our storytelling and grow our businesses to their fullest potential," said Katzenberg.
"As for my role, I am incredibly excited to continue exploring the potential of AwesomenessTV, NOVA and other new media opportunities, and can't wait to get started," he said.
Burke said that Chris Meledandri, who heads Comcast's Illumination Entertainment unit, would "help guide the growth of the DreamWorks Animation business in the future."
The deal represents consolidation in a sector which is being challenged by the emergence of new Internet-based video services such as Netflix and Amazon, which are boosting their original programming.
It aims to strengthen NBCU programming for family and children in film, television and on-demand video -- potentially challenging the Walt Disney Co., which owns the Pixar animation studio.
In addition to hit movie series "Shrek," "Kung Fu Panda," "Madagascar" and "How to Train Your Dragon," Comcast will acquire a string of popular franchises such as "Shark Tale" and "Monsters vs Aliens.
