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EM.TV goes Muppety, acquires
Jim Henson Company
The
Jim Henson Company, one of the world's leading producers
and marketers of pre-school, kids and family entertainment,
signed a definitive agreement with EM.TV & Merchandising
AG, of Munich, Germany, one of the fastest-growing and most
successful media, animated cartoon and retail companies
in Europe under which EM.TV will acquire 100% of Henson
in a cash-and-stock transaction notionally valued at $680
million.
Established in 1958 and headquartered in Los Angeles, The
Jim Henson Company's library comprises more than 450 hours
of family programming and includes famous series, TV movies
and specials such as The Muppet Show, Jim Henson's Muppet
Babies, Fraggle Rock, numerous Muppet movies and the recent
international successes Bear in the Big Blue House and Farscape.
It also is allied with the movie channel Hallmark Entertainment
and kiddie channel Kermit Channel.
The leadership of The Jim Henson Company will be substantially
unchanged. Brian Henson will continue to be responsible
for initiating and driving the creative and technological
forces of the Company as Chairman. Charlie Henson will be
promoted to President and Chief Executive Officer. Lisa
Henson will be officially joining the Company as President
of Jim Henson Pictures, and also serve as Vice-Chairman.
They will work closely with EM.TV's Chairman and CEO Thomas
Haffa and his brother Florian, who is the Vice-Chairman
and Chief Financial Officer.
EM.TV & Merchandising AG is one of the fastest-growing and
most successful media, animated cartoon and retail companies
in Europe. Established in 1989 by Thomas Haffa, Chairman
and CEO, EM.TV & Merchandising AG has developed into a leading
international media company. The company is active in the
production of children's and family programs, worldwide
distribution of TV rights, and marketing of merchandising
rights and major international events. EM.TV is the world
market leader in family and children's programming and the
European market leader in merchandising. With 30,000 half
hours of programming under its control, EM.TV has one of
the largest children's and family entertainment businesses
in the world.
Thomas Haffa, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of EM.TV
& Merchandising AG said, "This acquisition gives us access
to one of the world's most outstanding product libraries,
and represents a major milestone in the development of our
company. By acquiring The Jim Henson Company, we gain some
of the most powerful and enduring kids' and family brands
worldwide and get access to the world's biggest and most
important media market."
Allen & Company Incorporated advised The Jim Henson Company
with regard to the transaction.
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