Sunbow Entertainment
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Animation and distribution |
| Predecessor | Sunbow Productions (until 1995) |
| Founded | June 23, 1980 in New York City, United States |
| Founder | Tom Griffin, Joe Bacal |
| Fate | Inactive after 2001; legal entity until at least 2009 |
| Headquarters | New York City , United States |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people | Tom Griffin, Joe Bacal |
| Products | Animated television series and films (notably G.I. Joe, Transformers, My Little Pony) |
| Owner | Griffin-Bacal Advertising (original), later Sony Wonder, then TV-Loonland AG |
Sunbow Entertainment—initially known as Sunbow Productions until 1995—was an American animation studio and distributor established on June 23, 1980. The company was owned by Griffin-Bacal Advertising and based in New York City. Starting out by creating animated commercials for Hasbro’s G.I. Joe toy franchise, founders Tom Griffin and Joe Bacal developed Sunbow into Hasbro’s de facto television production arm, playing a crucial role in enhancing the toy manufacturer’s market influence.
Expansion and Collaborations with Hasbro and Marvel Productions (1980–1992)
During the 1980s, Sunbow earned industry acclaim through joint ventures with Marvel Productions, focusing mainly on animated series tied to Hasbro’s toy lines. The animation work was initially subcontracted to Japan's Toei Animation and later supplemented by South Korean studio AKOM.
By 1987, diminishing profitability in Hasbro’s toy divisions led to the discontinuation of major series such as Jem, G.I. Joe, and Transformers. The poor box office results of Sunbow’s feature films The Transformers: The Movie and My Little Pony: The Movie adversely affected revenues, prompting G.I. Joe: The Movie to be released straight to video. These factors contributed to the conclusion of Sunbow’s collaboration with Marvel Productions by the late 1980s. Additionally, Sunbow partnered with TMS Entertainment on Hasbro's Visionaries: Knights of the Magical Light.
Challenges with Original Content (1992–1998)
In the early 1990s, Sunbow ventured into original animated productions, including titles like The Tick and Conan the Adventurer. Among these, only The Tick garnered significant popularity and critical praise.
Acquisition by Sony Wonder (1998–2000)
On May 4, 1998, Sony Wonder, a division under Sony Music, acquired Sunbow Productions aiming to broaden its original television content. By May 1999, Sunbow was responsible for managing the European distribution of Sony Wonder's television properties.
Ownership by TV-Loonland, Inactivity, and Dissolution (2000–2009)
On October 3, 2000, German firm TV-Loonland AG purchased Sony Wonder's television assets, including Sunbow Entertainment; however, Sony Wonder retained U.S. distribution rights to Sunbow’s catalogue. These rights had previously belonged to Rhino Entertainment, but transferred to Sony Wonder during the acquisition.
In 2001, Sunbow declared co-production agreements for animated projects such as Kappa Mikey and Skeleton Key, collaborating with Rumpus Toys, Noggin's teen segment The N, and Nickelodeon. Nevertheless, these projects failed to reach fruition under either Sunbow or TV-Loonland. The television special Donner was completed late that year and broadcast on ABC Family.
Further announced projects in 2002 included The Many Adventures of Johnny Mutton, Mr Stick & Slug Boy, and a TV adaptation of The Day I Swapped My Dad for Two Goldfish, none of which advanced into production. After Telemagination—a sister Loonland studio—assumed production duties for the second season of The Cramp Twins, Sunbow became inactive but continued as a legal entity until at least 2009.
Sony Music revealed plans to close Sony Wonder in March 2007, casting uncertainty over U.S. distribution until June when Sony Wonder merged into Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (later rebranded as Sony Pictures Family Fun). However, licenses related to Sunbow were excluded from this reorganization.
In May 2008, Hasbro purchased rights for all Sunbow-produced animated series based on its properties—including Transformers, G.I. Joe, and My Little Pony—for $7 million. These titles are now part of the Hasbro Entertainment catalogue.
On December 9, 2009, TV-Loonland filed for bankruptcy; subsequently, its catalogue was acquired by German distributor Made 4 Entertainment in April 2011. In February 2017, Belgian company Studio 100 obtained a majority share in m4e, thereby expanding its international reach and content offerings.
Television series
| Title | Years | Broadcast Network | Details | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Great Space Coaster | 1981–1983 | Syndicated | Produced jointly with Metromedia Television | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero | 1983–1986 | Adapted from Hasbro's toyline. Co-produced alongside Marvel Productions | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Transformers | 1984–1987 | Adapted from Hasbro's toyline. Collaboration with Marvel Productions | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Super Sunday (also known as Super Saturday) | 1985 | Based on Hasbro toys. Joint production with Marvel Productions | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Jem and the Holograms | 1986 | Derived from Hasbro toyline. Produced with Marvel Productions | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Inhumanoids | Hasbro toyline adaptation. Co-produced with Marvel Productions | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| My Little Pony 'n Friends | Hasbro-based content. Collaboration with Marvel Productions; initial segment featured My Little Pony, followed by a rotating series of shows | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bucky O'Hare and the Toad Wars! | 1991–1992 | Produced jointly with Abrams/Gentile Entertainment, Continuity Comics, IDDH, and Marvel Productions | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| My Little Pony Tales | 1992 | The Disney Channel | Adapted from Hasbro toys. Co-produced with Graz Entertainment | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Conan the Adventurer | 1992–1993 | Syndicated | Joint production involving Graz Entertainment, Créativité et Développement, and AB Productions | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Conan and the Young Warriors | 1994 | CBS | Co-produced alongside Graz Entertainment | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Tick | 1994–1996 | Fox Broadcasting Company | Produced in partnership with Graz Entertainment and Fox Children's Productions; rights now held by The Walt Disney Company | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Mask: The Animated Series | 1995–1997 | CBS | Co-production with Film Roman, Dark Horse Entertainment, and New Line Television; currently under Warner Bros. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Littlest Pet Shop | 1995 | Syndicated | Based on Hasbro products. Produced with Créativité & Développement and AB Productions; presently owned by Mediawan Thematics | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
1995 |
Adapted from Hasbro toys. Jointly produced with Gunther-Wahl Productions and Graz Entertainment |
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1997–1998 |
Syndicated (1997) |
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Syndicated |
Co-production involving Chiodo Bros. Productions, Random House Studio, and PolyGram Television |
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1997 |
Aired on Syfy |
Distributed internationally only. |
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1997–2000 |
Broadcast by Fox Broadcasting Company |
Only season 1 had international distribution; produced by Telescene and 20th Television. |
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1999–2000 |
Aired on Nickelodeon / Super RTL |
Produced collaboratively with Ravensburger Film + TV, Videal, and Sony Wonder Television. |
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2000–2001 |
Broadcast on Cartoon Network (British and Irish TV channel) |
Joint production with TV-Loonland AG, Cartoon Network Europe, and Sony Wonder Television. |
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2000–2001 |
Co-produced alongside RTV Family Entertainment and Sony Wonder Television. |
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2001–2004 |
Broadcast via Cartoon Network (British and Irish TV channel) |
Produced in collaboration with TV-Loonland AG and Cartoon Network Europe; second season produced by Telemagination. |
Specials
- G.I. Joe: The Revenge of Cobra (1984) (co-produced with Marvel Productions)
- The GLO Friends Save Christmas (1985)
- (Transformers:) Five Faces of Darkness (1986) (co-production with Marvel Productions and AKOM)
- Visionaries: Knights of the Magical Light (1987) (co-produced with TMS Entertainment)
- (Transformers:) The Return of Optimus Prime (1986) (co-production with Marvel Productions)
- Transformers: The Rebirth (1987) (co-produced with Marvel Productions)
- Sgt. Savage and his Screaming Eagles (1994) ('‘G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero’' spin-off) (co-production with Graz Entertainment)
Original specials
| Date aired | Title | Network | Additional information |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 25, 1983 | The Charmkins | syndicated | Derived from Hasbro toyline |
| April 14, 1984 | "My Little Pony: Rescue at Midnight Castle" | syndicated | Based on Hasbro toys |
| March 23, 1985 | "My Little Pony: Escape from Catrina" | syndicated | Adapted from Hasbro toyline |
Hasbro properties
- All television programs based on Hasbro intellectual properties were co-produced alongside Marvel Productions and are currently owned by Hasbro Entertainment.
Theatrical films
| Release date | Title | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| June 20, 1986 | "My Little Pony: The Movie" | Produced in partnership with Marvel Productions |
| August 8, 1986 | "The Transformers: The Movie" | Co-production with Marvel Productions |
| 1986 | "Inhumanoids: The Movie" DTV | Produced jointly with Marvel Productions |
| April 20, 1987 | "G.I. Joe: The Movie" DTV | Co-produced alongside Marvel Productions |
TV specials
- The Secret World of the Very Young (1984)
- Donner (2001), produced in collaboration with Rainbow Studios and TV-Loonland AG