Entertainment Rights
Corporate brand
UnclaimedEntertainment Rights was a British entertainment company that built and distributed a large international portfolio of children's television, animation, film and character properties.
Last updated November 4, 2026
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Overview
Entertainment Rights was a British multinational media and entertainment company focused on children's programming, animation, character licensing, home entertainment and international distribution. Its origins were in Sleepy Kids, a company founded in 1989 by Martin and Vivien Schrager-Powell to develop the animated children's series Midnight Patrol: Adventures in the Dream Zone, known in the United Kingdom as Potsworth & Co. The company became publicly traded soon after its creation and expanded its production slate with properties including Dr. Zitbag's Transylvania Pet Shop and Budgie the Little Helicopter. In the late 1990s, the business broadened beyond its original production base. A 1998 combination with The Richard Digance Card Company, Clipper Films and Ridgeway Films led to the name SKD Media PLC. In 1999, SKD acquired Siriol Productions, associated with SuperTed and other Welsh animation work, and acquired the rights-owning business behind the Basil Brush character. After acquiring Carrington Productions International later that year, SKD adopted the Entertainment Rights name. The renamed company pursued a rights-aggregation strategy. It bought or licensed established children's properties and sought to exploit them across television, home video, merchandising and international markets. Important transactions included the worldwide pre-sale rights to Cubeez, a partnership with Buena Vista Home Entertainment around Merlin the Magical Puppy, international television and home-video rights to Barbie in the Nutcracker, the acquisition of Link Entertainment and Link Licensing, and the purchase of Woodland Animations, the company associated with Postman Pat, Gran, Bertha and Charlie Chalk. Entertainment Rights also acquired or distributed properties such as The Basil Brush Show, Rupert Bear, Little Red Tractor, Boo!, BB3B and productions from Tell-Tale Productions. The company created Right Entertainment in 2001 as a United Kingdom home-video arm. Through an agreement with Universal Pictures UK, Right Entertainment released Entertainment Rights properties on VHS and DVD, beginning with titles such as Barbie in the Nutcracker and Cubeez. The Barbie relationship with Mattel expanded to additional films, including Barbie as Rapunzel, and became one of the company's most visible distribution activities. Entertainment Rights also accumulated substantial archive and distribution rights. In 2004 it acquired the Filmation programming library from Hallmark Entertainment, bringing internationally recognized properties such as He-Man and The Lone Ranger into its catalogue. It acquired Tell-Tale Productions in September 2004 and purchased a majority interest in the Rupert Bear character from the Daily Express in 2005. Its catalogue combined original productions, acquired libraries and third-party distribution arrangements, covering television series, specials, films, home entertainment and licensing. The company's most consequential transaction was the acquisition of United States-based Classic Media. Announced in December 2006 and completed in January 2007 for approximately US$210 million, the transaction added properties including Rocky and Bullwinkle, George of the Jungle, Casper, Lassie, the pre-1974 Rankin/Bass library, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Frosty the Snowman, VeggieTales and an interest in the Qubo children's television venture. Classic Media became a wholly owned subsidiary, substantially increasing Entertainment Rights' scale but also adding financial pressure. By 2008 and early 2009, the company was experiencing financial instability. It reduced its workforce, its market value fell sharply, and the Financial Services Authority fined it £245,000 for delayed disclosure of a potential US$14 million earnings impact. Entertainment Rights entered voluntary administration on 1 April 2009. Boomerang Media acquired the company's subsidiaries and assets, including Classic Media and Big Idea. In May 2009, the former British and United States operations were unified under the Classic Media name, while Big Idea continued separately. Entertainment Rights PLC was dissolved on 30 December 2010. Classic Media was later acquired by DreamWorks Animation in 2012, and DreamWorks Animation was acquired by NBCUniversal in 2016, leaving much of the former Entertainment Rights catalogue within the broader Universal corporate family.
History
Entertainment Rights developed from Sleepy Kids, founded in 1989 by Martin and Vivien Schrager-Powell to produce Potsworth & Co., a children's animated programme created with Hanna-Barbera. The company quickly became publicly traded and produced additional children's titles, including Dr. Zitbag's Transylvania Pet Shop and Budgie the Little Helicopter. In December 1998, Sleepy Kids merged with The Richard Digance Card Company, Clipper Films and Ridgeway Films and was renamed SKD Media PLC. During 1999, SKD acquired Siriol Productions, known for SuperTed, and the business connected with the Basil Brush character. It also announced the acquisition of Carrington Productions International. Following that transaction, SKD changed its name to Entertainment Rights in November 1999. Entertainment Rights subsequently pursued expansion through a mixture of production, licensing and distribution. It secured rights connected with Cubeez and Merlin the Magical Puppy, acquired international television and home-video rights to Barbie in the Nutcracker, and purchased Link Entertainment and its licensing subsidiary. The acquisition of Woodland Animations added the worldwide distribution rights to properties including Postman Pat, as well as an opportunity to support new Postman Pat production. The company expanded its Barbie relationship with Mattel to cover further films and later purchased a majority interest in Rupert Bear. The business also developed a direct home-entertainment channel. Right Entertainment was formed in 2001 and entered a distribution arrangement with Universal Pictures UK for VHS and DVD releases in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Its early programme included Barbie in the Nutcracker and Cubeez, followed by releases involving other Entertainment Rights properties and acquired brands. A major catalogue expansion occurred in March 2004, when Entertainment Rights acquired the Filmation library from Hallmark Entertainment after an unsuccessful attempt to acquire Chorion. The transaction brought distribution rights to a broad archive of Filmation productions, including He-Man and The Lone Ranger. Later in 2004, Entertainment Rights acquired Tell-Tale Productions, strengthening its live-action and animation capabilities and adding productions such as BB3B. In 2005, Siriol was placed under new management and renamed Calon, while Entertainment Rights retained most rights to completed productions. On 14 December 2006, Entertainment Rights announced an agreement to acquire Classic Media for approximately US$210 million. Completed on 11 January 2007, the purchase added major American and international properties, including the Rocky and Bullwinkle and George of the Jungle catalogue, Harvey Comics characters such as Casper, Lassie, the pre-1974 Rankin/Bass library, VeggieTales and a Qubo interest. Classic Media became a wholly owned subsidiary. The company also acquired the Where's Wally? franchise in January 2007. The Classic Media transaction increased the size and strategic value of Entertainment Rights but contributed to a period of financial stress. The company appointed Deborah Dugan to lead its North American business in December 2008 and cut its workforce by roughly one third by January 2009. Its market value declined substantially, and the Financial Services Authority imposed a £245,000 fine over delayed disclosure of a potential US$14 million earnings impact. Entertainment Rights entered voluntary administration on 1 April 2009. Boomerang Media acquired the operating subsidiaries, including Classic Media and Big Idea. On 11 May 2009, the former British and American Entertainment Rights operations were consolidated under the Classic Media name, while Big Idea retained its own identity. Entertainment Rights PLC was dissolved on 30 December 2010. Classic Media was acquired by DreamWorks Animation in 2012, and DreamWorks Animation became part of NBCUniversal in 2016. Consequently, much of the former Entertainment Rights catalogue later came under Universal's corporate ownership or control.
- 2016
DreamWorks Animation joins NBCUniversal
[1]DreamWorks Animation was acquired by NBCUniversal, placing much of the former catalogue within the Universal group.
- 2012
Classic Media is acquired by DreamWorks Animation
[1]The successor business holding much of the catalogue was acquired by DreamWorks Animation.
- 2010
Entertainment Rights PLC is dissolved
[1]The original public company was formally dissolved.
- 2009
Administration and sale to Boomerang Media
[1]The company entered voluntary administration and its operating subsidiaries were acquired by Boomerang Media.
- 2007
Classic Media becomes a subsidiary
[1]Entertainment Rights completed its acquisition of Classic Media, adding a substantial American character and content library.
- 2005
Rupert Bear interest is acquired
[1]Entertainment Rights purchased a majority interest in the Rupert Bear character from the Daily Express.
- 2004
Filmation library is acquired
[1]Entertainment Rights acquired the Filmation programming library from Hallmark Entertainment.
- 2004
Tell-Tale Productions is acquired
[1]The acquisition strengthened the company's production and distribution capabilities in live-action and animation.
- 2001
Right Entertainment is formed
[1]Entertainment Rights established a home-video subsidiary and agreed a United Kingdom and Ireland distribution arrangement with Universal Pictures UK.
- 2001
Link Entertainment is acquired
[1]The company acquired Link Entertainment and Link Licensing, expanding its children's distribution and licensing operations.
Products and positioning
A rights-focused children's entertainment group that combined original production, catalogue acquisition, international distribution, home entertainment and character licensing.
Animated television and home entertainment · 2003
Postman Pat
Entertainment Rights obtained the worldwide distribution rights associated with Woodland Animations and supported new Postman Pat programming, including revival episodes and specials such as Postman Pat and the Greendale Rocket, Postman Pat's Magic Christmas and Postman Pat's Great Big Party.
Children's television · 2002
The Basil Brush Show
The Basil Brush character became part of Entertainment Rights' portfolio through its acquisition of the rights-owning business behind the property. The company later distributed and supported The Basil Brush Show, a live-action children's programme built around the character.
Character franchise and animation · 2006
Rupert Bear
Entertainment Rights acquired a majority interest in the Rupert Bear character in 2005 and distributed Rupert Bear, Follow the Magic..., produced by Cosgrove Hall Films. The property extended the company's character-licensing and children's television activities.
Television and animation library
Filmation library
The Filmation acquisition gave Entertainment Rights international distribution rights to a broad archive of American animation and television productions, including He-Man and The Lone Ranger. It was one of the company's most significant catalogue acquisitions.
Animated film distribution · 2001
Barbie film distribution
Entertainment Rights acquired international television and home-video rights to Barbie in the Nutcracker and later distributed Barbie as Rapunzel and additional Barbie films under an expanded arrangement with Mattel. Rights varied by territory, with exclusions for some markets.
Character and content library · 2007
Classic Media portfolio
The Classic Media acquisition added major properties including Rocky and Bullwinkle, George of the Jungle, Casper, Lassie, Rankin/Bass holiday specials, VeggieTales and a stake in Qubo. These properties substantially increased Entertainment Rights' international licensing and distribution catalogue.
Controversies
Brand decisions
2009
Voluntary administration and asset transferOtherBackground
Financial instability, workforce reductions, falling market value and disclosure-related regulatory action preceded the company's administration.
Action taken
Entertainment Rights entered voluntary administration, and Boomerang Media acquired its subsidiaries and operating assets.
Aftermath
The former British and American operations were unified under Classic Media, Big Idea continued separately, and Entertainment Rights PLC was later dissolved.
2007
Acquisition of Classic MediaM&ABackground
Entertainment Rights aimed to scale its international rights and licensing business by adding a major United States-based content and character company.
Action taken
It completed the acquisition of Classic Media for approximately US$210 million.
Aftermath
Classic Media became a wholly owned subsidiary and added a large portfolio of established properties, but the enlarged group later experienced severe financial instability.
Acquisition consideration. Approximately US$210 million (Announced December 2006; completed January 2007)
2004
Acquisition of the Filmation libraryM&ABackground
After failing to acquire Chorion, Entertainment Rights pursued catalogue growth through the purchase of established television and animation rights.
Action taken
It acquired the Filmation programming library from Hallmark Entertainment.
Aftermath
The company gained worldwide distribution rights to a substantial archive, including He-Man and The Lone Ranger.
2001
Launch of Right EntertainmentStrategyBackground
Entertainment Rights wanted a dedicated route to market for VHS and DVD releases of its own and acquired properties.
Action taken
The company formed Right Entertainment and entered a United Kingdom and Ireland distribution agreement with Universal Pictures UK.
Aftermath
Right Entertainment released titles including Barbie in the Nutcracker and Cubeez and became the company's branded home-video operation.
1999
Rebrand from SKD Media to Entertainment RightsStrategyBackground
Following the acquisition of Carrington Productions International, the company sought a name that better represented its expanding rights, production and distribution activities.
Action taken
SKD Media PLC adopted the Entertainment Rights name.
Aftermath
The new identity was used during the company's subsequent expansion into children's programming libraries, licensing and home entertainment.
Sources1 sources
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