Wildbrain, Producers of Yo Gabba Gabba!, Purchased by DHX Media for $8 Million Cash!

A press release was published today informing everyone of the latest bombshell behind the scenes at Yo Gabba Gabba!'s producer, Wildbrain Entertainment! According to several articles online, DHX Media, based in Toronto, Canada, has acquired Wildbrain for a healthy $8 million!

So many questions come to mind!

• Is THIS possibly why production of future seasons have come to a halt, and there has not been an order for season four?
• Is THIS possibly why suddenly no one can find any of the Yo Gabba Gabba toys (produced by SpinMaster) at their local Target and Wal-Mart? (Could it be that contracts were not renewed?)
• And most importantly, what does this MEAN for Yo Gabba Gabba?

From what we gather, it appears that although DHX has acquired Wildbrain, it seems that it will be added to the corporate umbrella, and hopefully nothing will change. In fact, Wildbrain's president, Michael Polis, will continue to remain at the helm of the company. DHX is also reported to have recently opened an office in Los Angeles, which gives us hope that the jobs of the employees at Yo Gabba Gabba and Wildbrain will stay intact. (We really, REALLY hope so, anyway. We care about those people!)

Interestingly enough, the Wildbrain-owned Kidrobot was not part of the purchase deal and will operate independently.

With the acquisition of Wildbrain, we also hope this means more money available to produce merchandise and more seasons of Yo Gabba Gabba!, and more resources to continue to spread Yo Gabba Gabba! into more countries around the world. Only time will tell, so cross your fingers, friends.

What are your thoughts on Wildbrain's move to DHX? Share your two cents by leaving a comment below.

Here is an article published today in Hollywood Reporter:

DHX buys Wildbrain for $8 million
Michael Polis will continue as animation studio's president

By Etan Vlessing

Sept 14, 2010, 03:29 PM ET
TORONTO -- Canadian kids TV producer DHX Media has acquired Los Angeles-based animation studio Wildbrain Entertainment for $8 million in cash.

Wildbrain president Michael Polis will remain at the company, which is best known for producing "The Ricky Gervais Show" for HBO and the Nick Jr. series "Yo Gabba Gabba!"

Polis will also become executive vp of branded entertainment and consumer products at Halifax-based DHX Media, leading international licensing campaigns.

"In addition to further accelerating our development of co-productions, growing our successful franchises and leveraging DHX's global distribution infrastructure for future properties, we look forward to working with DHX Media to secure new merchandising and licensing revenue opportunities in the U.S. and beyond," Polis said in a statement.

DHX Media in 2008 missed a chance to enter Los Angeles TV production when a deal that would have seen Canadian distributor Entertainment One complete a reverse takeover of the kids TV producer and distributor was abandoned.

The Halifax producer subsequently opened a Los Angeles development office led by Charles Bishop.

Wildbrain will fall under the DHX Media corporate umbrella, along with the production units Decode Entertainment, Halifax Film, Studio B Productions; and the TV distribution arm, Decode Enterprises.

DHX Media has offices in Toronto, Halifax, Vancouver and Los Angeles, and a library of around 2,300 half-hours of kids and tween TV properties, including "Franny's Feet" and "dirtgirlworld."

Read more at the Hollywood Reporter