DHX buys Nerd Corps for $50m

Canada’s DHX Media has inked a deal to acquire Vancouver-based Nerd Corps Entertainment and its subsidiaries for approximately C$57m (US$50m).

The deal, to be completed by December 24, includes Nerd Corps’ animation studio in Vancouver, as well as its interactive apps, gaming and licensing departments.

Asaph ‘Ace’ Fipke

Nerd Corps’ CEO and co-founder Asaph ‘Ace’ Fipke will join DHX Content as chief content officer, kids and family, following the deal’s closure, reporting to DHX president and chief operating officer Steven DeNure.

Ken Faier, Nerd Corps president, will also join DHX Content, as senior VP and general manager, kids and family. All told, the move will increase DHX’s headcount in Vancouver from approximately 300 to 700.

It also brings more than 200 half-hours of proprietary children’s content to DHX’s library, including comedy adventure series Slugterra, which has broadcast in more than 150 countries and airs on Disney XD in both Canada and the US.

Ken Faier

“Nerd Corps has an outstanding reputation and track record for high-quality animation, and we believe this is a perfect fit for DHX Media – one that will add significant value and expertise. We look forward to having Ace, Ken and the rest of the Nerds on our team,” said DeNure.

The deal is the latest in a string of multimillion-dollar acquisitions for DHX. The company most recently acquired Canadian children’s cable networks Family Channel, Disney XD and Disney Junior for a total of C$170m (US$160m).

Steven DeNure

In April, the firm bought Epitome, the Canuck production company behind the Degrassi teen drama franchise, for C$33m. Last year, DHX acquired Teletubbies owner Ragdoll Worldwide from BBC Worldwide and founder Anne Wood for US$27.7m.

Founded in 2002, Nerd Corps’ animation studio produces and distributes a slate of original properties that includes not only Slugterra but also Endangered Species, Kate & Mim-Mim, League of Super Evil, Rated A for Awesome and Storm Hawks.