9 Story Media Group

9 Story Media Group
source
Name	9 Story Media Group
Type	Private
Industry	Television production, Animation, Children's media
Founded	2002
Headquarters	Halifax, Nova Scotia; Toronto, Ontario
Area served	Global
Products	Television series, Digital media, Licensing

9 Story Media Group 9 Story Media Group is a Canadian media production and distribution company specializing in children's television and animated programming, operating across animation studios and distribution arms with a global footprint. The company develops, produces, and distributes series for broadcasters and streaming platforms while engaging in licensing and co-production arrangements with international partners. It has been involved in projects with major broadcasters and streaming services, expanding through acquisitions and strategic partnerships.

History

The company was founded in the early 2000s during a period of consolidation in the television production sector, contemporaneous with companies such as DHX Media, Nelvana, StudioCanal, Gaumont, and Cartoon Network Studios. Early collaborations included co-productions for broadcasters like PBS, Nickelodeon, BBC, CBC Television, and TVOntario, and partnerships with producers such as WildBrain, Disney Television Animation, Lionsgate, Sony Pictures Entertainment, and Hasbro. As streaming platforms including Netflix (streaming service), Amazon Prime Video, Hulu (streaming service), Apple TV+, and Disney+ expanded commissioning of original children's content, the company shifted toward multi-platform distribution and digital-first development. Industry trends driven by entities like IPTV, Roku, YouTube, PBS Kids, and Channel 4 influenced its slate and international sales strategies. The firm negotiated co-production treaties and financing frameworks involving bodies such as Telefilm Canada, Canada Media Fund, Creative Europe, and regional tax credit programs tied to provinces like Ontario and Nova Scotia.

Corporate Structure and Ownership

The corporate organization includes production studios, distribution units, and licensing divisions, with operations in cities akin to Toronto, Halifax, and international offices similar to those maintained by BBC Studios and Cartoon Network. Its ownership history involved private equity and media investors similar to transactions by Apollo Global Management, Bain Capital, Providence Equity Partners, Riverside Partners, and strategic stakes mirroring moves by Entertainment One and STV Group plc. Executive leadership worked alongside industry figures from companies like Corus Entertainment, Bell Media, Warner Bros., Paramount Global, and Endemol Shine Group. Governance and board composition referenced standards common to public companies such as CBC/Radio-Canada and Cineflix, while labor and creative relationships paralleled those of unions and guilds like ACTRA and Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists.

Notable Productions

The company's catalogue includes preschool series, animated comedies, and educational programs delivered to networks and streamers comparable to Nick Jr., Cartoon Network, Disney Channel, PBS Kids, and CBeebies. Projects drew voice talent and creative teams with credits aligning to franchises like Peppa Pig, Paw Patrol, Bluey, Arthur (TV series), and Caillou, and were presented at festivals and markets such as MIPCOM, Annecy International Animated Film Festival, Kidscreen Summit, and NAB Show. Co-productions involved partners resembling Sinking Ship Entertainment, Mercury Filmworks, Boulder Media, Aardman Animations, and Nick Jr. Productions. The series delivered programming in genres similar to works by Jim Henson Company, Studio Ghibli, Laika (company), and Illumination, spanning episodic series, shorts, and specials adapted for platforms akin to PBS Kids Sprout, Discovery Kids, and Teletoon.

Distribution and Partnerships

Distribution operations negotiated output deals and licensing agreements with broadcasters and platforms including Netflix (streaming service), Amazon Prime Video, HBO Max, Apple TV+, BBC, CBC Television, Nickelodeon, Disney Channel, and Cartoon Network. The company participated in co-production financing models with public broadcasters and private studios similar to those used by ZDF, France Télévisions, Rai, and TV Tokyo. Strategic partnerships included collaborations with merchandising and licensing firms like Hasbro, Mattel, Publicis Groupe, and retail licensing channels such as Walmart and Amazon (company). Distribution deals were presented at markets and events comparable to Annecy, MIPCOM, and Children's Media Conference.

Acquisitions and Mergers

Growth included acquisitions and mergers reflective of consolidation trends in children's media, similar in nature to transactions by DHX Media acquiring Cookie Jar Group or Entertainment One acquiring Astley Baker Davies. Corporate activity saw strategic purchases of studios and catalogues, and occasional divestitures to firms like WildBrain, Boat Rocker Media, Razor & Tie, and private equity groups such as KKR and CVC Capital Partners. These moves aimed to expand intellectual property portfolios and international distribution capacity, mirroring activity in the industry involving Lionsgate, STX Entertainment, and Shout! Factory.

Awards and Recognition

Productions received nominations and awards from institutions and ceremonies including the Daytime Emmy Awards, Canadian Screen Awards, Kidscreen Awards, BAFTA Children's Awards, Annecy Cristal, and festivals such as Annecy International Animated Film Festival and Cartoon Art Museum exhibitions. Recognition also came from broadcasters' commissioning competitions and national funding bodies like Telefilm Canada and provincial cultural agencies, with titles shortlisted alongside works produced by Nelvana, Brown Bag Films, Mercury Filmworks, and WildBrain Studios.

Category:Canadian_animation_studios