Maxi operation in Hollywood, where DreamWorks Animation changes hands for 3,8 billion dollars. To buy it is the information and entertainment giant NBCUniversal, in turn controlled by Comcast Corporation, the largest cable operator in the United States and one of the main media companies in the world.
DreamWorks Animation is the film studio that has made some of the most successful animated films of the last 20 years: from Ant Z to Shrek, from Madagascar to Kung Fu Panda. The company will become part of the Universal Filmed Entertainment Group, which includes Universal Pictures (one of the largest US film studios, where, among other things, other hugely successful cartoons such as “Despicable Me” and “ Minions”), Fandango and NBCUniversal Brand Development.
The value of the transaction is higher than market expectations, which did not exceed 3 billion dollars. DreamWorks Animation partners will receive $41 in cash for each share of common stock. The boards of directors of the two groups have given the green light to the transaction, which should be concluded at the end of 2016 provided that the green light arrives from the US and foreign antitrust authorities.
DreamWorks Animation CEO and cofounder Jeffrey Katzenberg will become president of DreamWorks New Media and advise NBCUniversal. There is a $200 million break-up fee in case the deal falls through for antitrust reasons.
