Dec 2, 2014

DHX acquires Nerd Corps to create Canadian mega-studio with 700 employees

Nerd Corps lineup.

With the news that Halifax-based DHX Media is buying Vancouver-based animation studio Nerd Corps Entertainment for C$57 million (US$50 million) in cash and stock, the Canadian animation scene is stronger than ever. The deal is expected to close before Christmas.

The 12-year-old Nerd Corps currently employs about 400 people and produces shows such as Endangered Species, Kate & Mim-Mim, League of Super Evil, Rated A for Awesome, Slugterra, and Storm Hawks.

The company has also produced shows such as.

The acquisition will double DHX's staff in Vancouver from approximately 300 to 700, making it the largest animation production company in Canada Nerd Corps has the capacity to produce five shows simultaneously. [Assaf "Ace" Fipke, co-founder of the studio, will join the DHX content team as Chief Content Officer, Kids and Families, and Ken Fire, President of Nerd Corps, will join DHX Content as Senior Vice President and General Manager, Kids and Families. will join DHX Content as.

The acquisition will give DHX access to over 200 ½ hours of proprietary children's content; DHX has been on an acquisition spree in recent years, acquiring Cookie Jar (formerly Cinar) in 2012, which also gave it access to DiC's library. It acquired UK-based Teletubbies producer Ragdoll Productions and recently acquired Canadian Disney affiliate Family Channel (DHX also owns the Canadian versions of Disney XD and Disney Junior)

. Dana Landry, chief executive officer of DHX Media, told the Canadian Press news agency, "DHX Media's acquisition of Disney XD is a great step in the right direction. DHX Media CEO Dana Landry told the Canadian Press news agency, "This is just the beginning. This is just the beginning.

DHX, which currently owns more than 8,000 hours of children's programming, recently signed a cooperation agreement with China National Television (CNTV) to develop an online children's streaming service for the country.