Saban buys back Power Rangers

Media mogul Haim Saban, creator of 1990s cult kids series Power Rangers, has bought the rights to the property that made him a billionaire from Disney for a reported US$100m.

Saban has also signed a deal with Nickelodeon, Disney’s main rival in the kids business, to air 20 new episodes, which he will produce in addition to a catalogue of more than 700 episodes.

The acquisition comes under Saban Brands, the new company that unveiled its strategy to acquire, manage and license entertainment properties and consumer brands globally last week.

Power Rangers aired on the cable channel Fox Family, a joint venture between Saban and News Corp, and was acquired by Disney for US$3.2bn. Disney later moved it to smaller Fox-owned channel Jetix, now known as Disney XD.

For Nickelodeon, the deal builds on its acquisition of 1980s toon Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and its push to appeal more to young boys.

Saban is also cooperating with the original Japanese creator of the television show, Toei, and has signed a toy and video game license with Bandai America, the California-based Power Rangers manufacturer.