DIC Entertainment

DIC Entertainment Corporation
Company type	Public (formerly)
Industry	Animation, film and television production
Predecessor	DIC Audiovisuel
Founded	January 1, 1971; 55 years ago in France
Founder	Jean Chalopin
Defunct	2008
Fate	Purchased by Cookie Jar Group and integrated into it
Successor	Cookie Jar Group (later WildBrain)
Headquarters	Burbank, California, United States
Area served	Worldwide
Key people	Andy Heyward (CEO)
Products	Animated television series, live-action movies, licensed anime series
Parent	Cookie Jar Group (2008–2012), WildBrain (2012–present)

DIC Entertainment Corporation (; also referred to as DIC Audiovisuel, DIC Enterprises, DIC Animation City, DIC Entertainment, L.P., and DIC Productions, occasionally styled as DİC) was a French-American film and television production company best known for its work as an animation studio. Originally affiliated with The Walt Disney Company, DIC also produced live-action movies and licensed numerous anime series.

In June 2008, DIC was purchased by the Cookie Jar Group and subsequently integrated into Cookie Jar by July of the same year. As of 2023, the majority of the DIC program catalog is owned by WildBrain (previously DHX Media), following its acquisition of Cookie Jar in October 2012.

1971–1982: DIC Audiovisuel

Founded in France in 1971 by Jean Chalopin under Compagnie Luxembourgeoise de Télédiffusion (now RTL Group), Diffusion Information Communication (DIC) concentrated on producing television programming.

In 1981, DIC formed a partnership with the Japanese animation studio Tokyo Movie Shinsha (TMS Entertainment), contributing to animation on series such as Ulysses 31 and developing the unaired pilot Lupin VIII. This collaboration continued until 1996, resulting in numerous animated productions and pilots.

1982–1986: U.S. Expansion

The American branch of DIC Audiovisuel, known as DIC Enterprises, was launched in April 1982 in Burbank, California by Andy Heyward, formerly a writer at Hanna-Barbera. This division adapted DIC’s productions for U.S. audiences, concentrating on animated television content for both networks and syndication. To minimize expenses, non-creative functions were outsourced internationally and staff were hired on a per-project basis; this cost-saving strategy earned the nickname "Do It Cheap".

Under the leadership of Bruno Bianchi and Bernard Deyriès, DIC became known for its streamlined production processes. Shortly after its inception, it debuted Inspector Gadget, one of its most successful franchises. Partnerships with toy manufacturers and greeting card companies facilitated character-based merchandise lines that helped fund the animated series. Popular titles such as Inspector Gadget, The Littles, and Heathcliff contributed significantly to the company's profitability.

By 1983, DIC had established its own animation studio in Japan, named K.K. DIC Asia, to independently manage production tasks. Despite attempts at unionization in 1984, DIC remained unique as a non-union animation company. The firm expanded through syndication agreements with LBS Communications, Columbia Pictures Television, and Access Syndication. Additionally, it secured home video distribution rights through deals with Karl-Lorimar Home Video, CBS/Fox Video in the United States, The Video Collection in the United Kingdom, and Access Syndication.

1987–1993: Transition to North America

Between late 1986 and 1987, Andy Heyward partnered with investors Bear Stearns & Co. and Prudential Insurance Co. to purchase Jean Chalopin’s and Compagnie Luxembourgeoise de Télédiffusion’s combined 52% stake in DIC. This $70 million leveraged buyout transformed the company into DIC Animation City, Inc., relocating its headquarters to the United States. Following this acquisition, Chalopin departed while Robby London and Michael Maliani assumed key leadership positions. Chalopin retained control over the original French offices and Japanese animation facility by founding Créativité et Développement (C&D) in 1987; meanwhile, the Japanese studio was renamed K.K. C&D Asia until 1996.

After the buyout, DIC encountered substantial debt due to aggressive underbidding tactics and overestimating demand for children’s programming. To mitigate financial pressures, foreign rights to its content library were sold to Saban Productions in 1987 and later transferred to Chalopin’s C&D company—actions that strained relationships and led to legal disputes resolved by 1991. Despite these difficulties, DIC broadened partnerships with NBC and Coca-Cola Telecommunications for television production and distribution and ventured into toy manufacturing with the Old MacDonald talking toyline.

During legal conflicts involving Family Home Entertainment and LBS/Lorimar Home Video—settled out of court—DIC established distribution alliances with Golden Book Video and Bohbot Communications. Internationally, it co-produced projects with Reteitalia S.p.A., Telecinco, among others. By the early 1990s, expansion continued through subsidiaries like Rainforest Entertainment alongside educational programming initiatives.

A pivotal licensing deal signed in 1993 with Buena Vista Home Video granted distribution rights for over 1,000 half-hours of animated content while creating a dedicated home video label that enhanced DIC’s presence in the home entertainment sector. Subsequent agreements included marketing titles under the DIC Video brand alongside Golden Book Video, further solidifying its role within animation production and distribution markets.

1993–2000: Limited Partnerships

During the early 1990s, DIC garnered significant industry interest and engaged in merger and acquisition discussions with companies such as PolyGram and Capital Cities/ABC, though these negotiations did not culminate in any finalized agreements.

In July 1993, DIC Animation City established a limited partnership with Capital Cities/ABC Video Enterprises, Inc., resulting in the creation of DIC Entertainment, L.P., which was tasked with overseeing DIC's production catalog and managing international distribution through CAVE. Under this arrangement, DIC retained a 95% stake, while CAVE held the remaining 5%. Later that year, DIC formed another limited partnership named DIC Productions, L.P., where Capital Cities/ABC owned 95% and founder Andy Heyward maintained a 5% share. These new entities replaced the original DIC Animation City and coincided with the company’s move to a larger facility located in Burbank.

Expanding its operations, DIC launched a multimedia division called DIC Interactive towards the end of 1993 and ventured into live-action television production in 1994. Leveraging the popularity of Saban’s Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, DIC collaborated with Tsuburaya Productions to adapt Gridman the Hyper Agent into the series Superhuman Samurai Syber-Squad. The company also pursued strategic partnerships in China and secured syndication deals with SeaGull Entertainment. In 1995, DIC produced an English-language version of the anime Sailor Moon.

In July 1995, The Walt Disney Company revealed its intention to acquire Capital Cities/ABC, which included ownership of DIC. Following the completion of this merger in January 1996, DIC became a subsidiary of Disney. Subsequently, it launched DIC Films and entered into a first-look agreement with Walt Disney Pictures that same year. Additionally, in October 1995, plans were announced to establish a French animation studio in collaboration with Hamster Productions.

The French animation facility, Les Studios Tex S.A.R.L., commenced operations in March 1997. In March 1998, DIC renewed its first-look deal with Disney and soon after introduced a direct-to-video division. During this timeframe, the company also secured programming contracts with Pax TV (later renamed Ion Television), broadening its distribution channels.

2000–2004: Return to Independence

In September 2000, Andy Heyward, backed by investment firms Bain Capital and Chase Capital Partners (formerly CCMP Capital), initiated the process of reacquiring DIC from The Walt Disney Company. The transaction was finalized on November 25, officially restoring DIC as an independent entity and allowing it to develop content free from Disney’s oversight. This transition coincided with the relaunch of DIC’s international sales operations at MIPCOM.

In 2001, DIC sought to reestablish its presence in the home video market by launching DIC Home Entertainment with plans for product releases beginning in May. After encountering initial delays related to distribution agreements, the company signed a deal in July with Lions Gate Home Entertainment for North American distribution. Earlier that June, DIC intended to purchase Golden Books Family Entertainment for $170 million but withdrew from the acquisition due to excessive costs; subsequently, Golden Books’ assets were divided between Random House (for book publishing rights) and Classic Media (for entertainment properties).

DIC expanded its portfolio further in July 2002 by acquiring the Mommy & Me preschool brand.

In January 2003, DIC introduced three syndicated children’s educational/informational programming blocks under the brand name DIC Kids Network. In April of that year, the company filed a lawsuit against Speed Racer Enterprises over alleged unauthorized termination of a global exploitation rights agreement concerning Speed Racer. Later that July, DIC entered into a production agreement with POW! Entertainment for Stan Lee's Secret Super Six, a series about teenagers gifted with alien abilities under Stan Lee’s mentorship; however, this project ultimately did not reach broadcast.

2004–2008: Public listing and concluding period

In 2004, Heyward purchased Bain Capital's share in DIC Entertainment and spearheaded the firm's initial public offering on the London Stock Exchange's Alternative Investment Market in 2005, where it was listed under the symbol DEKEq.L. By March 2006, DIC had reacquired international rights to 20 series previously held by The Walt Disney Company and Jetix Europe, rights that Disney had obtained following its 2001 acquisition of Saban Entertainment. That same month, DIC expanded its portfolio by acquiring the Copyright Promotions Licensing Group (CPLG) and named Jeffrey Edell as president and chief operating officer.

On September 15, 2006, DIC collaborated with AOL's KOL and CBS Corporation to debut a three-hour Saturday morning programming block on CBS titled KOL Secret Slumber Party. The partnership with CBS and American Greetings continued the following year with the launch of another block called KEWLopolis.

In April 2007, DIC joined forces with Nelvana and NBC Universal Global Networks to announce KidsCo, an international network dedicated to children's entertainment. Later that year in October, DIC initiated legal action against the Dam company, accusing it of fraud and negligent misrepresentation concerning Dam’s troll doll line and DIC’s licensed Trollz series. Dam responded with a countersuit alleging that DIC had misrepresented its financial condition and harmed the troll doll brand's reputation.

2008–2012: Merger with Cookie Jar Group and transition to DHX Media

In June 2008, DIC Entertainment merged with Canadian media firm Cookie Jar Group in a transaction valued at $87.6 million, led by President Jeffrey Edell and completed on July 23. Following the merger, DIC became a subsidiary renamed Cookie Jar Entertainment (USA) Inc., fully integrating into Cookie Jar’s business operations. Subsequently, in 2012, Cookie Jar was acquired by DHX Media.

The DIC Kids Network was rebranded as Cookie Jar Kids Network in 2009 but discontinued its operations by 2011. Cookie Jar produced the concluding season of Sushi Pack, which aired through 2009. The CBS programming block KEWLopolis was renamed Cookie Jar TV in 2009 and ran until its replacement by CBS Dream Team in 2013. Additionally, Cookie Jar Toons, broadcast on This TV from 2008 to 2013, showcased series from both entities. Cookie Jar ceased functioning as an independent operation in 2014.

Programming blocks

DIC managed several programming blocks across various U.S. television outlets.

Kideo TV, launched in April 1986 as a collaboration with syndicator LBS Communications and sponsored by Mattel, aired on syndicated stations including Metromedia. This 90-minute block featured a mix of live-action segments alongside animated series such as Rainbow Brite, Popples, and Ulysses 31. The "Kideo" brand also extended into home video releases on VHS containing DIC cartoons.

During Fall 1987, Weekend Funday was distributed as a 90-minute weekend block through Coca-Cola Telecommunications, presenting shows like Sylvanian Families and Starcom: The U.S. Space Force.

Beginning September 11, 1989, Funtown aired on the CBN Family Channel, broadcasting approximately 26 hours weekly. While DIC handled advertising sales for this block, the channel managed distribution and promotional efforts. The lineup included both live-action and animated content featuring original productions alongside off-network shows from DIC and other sources.

In China, starting September 19, 1994, Dragon Club (小神龙俱乐部) broadcasted content from both DIC and ABC through Capital Cities/ABC stations. Following Disney's acquisition of Capital Cities/ABC, the block transitioned to Disney programming until early 2019. Its counterpart strand, Panda Club (熊猫俱乐部), ran from October 1994 until 1999 with similar content offerings.

Announced in May 1998, Freddy's Firehouse (FFH) was intended as an educational programming block for Pax TV utilizing DIC’s library. Despite an agreement designating DIC as Pax’s exclusive supplier of animated content, FFH was replaced by Pax’s internally produced "Cloud 9" (later known as "Pax Kids"), which aired from August 1998 through 2000.

Additional significant blocks included:

DiC Kids Network: launched September 1, 2003; comprised three syndicated children’s E/I blocks.
KOL Secret Slumber Party: introduced September 16, 2006; a three-hour block developed in partnership with AOL’s KOL platform.
KEWLopolis: debuted September 15, 2007; created in collaboration with American Greetings.

External links

(archived as of January 8, 2008)
DiC Entertainment animations at the Big Cartoon Database