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Hasbro Acquires Entire Power Rangers Property From Saban

Hasbro announced on Tuesday that it will acquire Power Rangers and several other brands from Saban Properties. The agreement, which is expected to close in the second quarter of 2018, includes all of Saban's related intellectual property, category rights and content libraries.

Hasbro was already named as the master toy licensee for the Power Rangers franchise, and will take over for the previous license holder Bandai America on April 1, 2019. The US$22.25 million Hasbro already paid in this deal will be credited against the purchase price for the brands.

Hasbro is purchasing the properties for a total of US$522 million, including US$229.75 million in cash and US$270 million in Hasbro stock. Other brands that Hasbro is acquiring from Saban as part of the deal include My Pet Monster, Popples, Julius Jr., Luna Petunia, and Treehouse Detectives.

Saban Brands founder Haim Saban will continue to serve as a consultant for the Power Rangers property. The Hollywood Reporter reported in February that Saban and Hasbro chairman and CEO Brian Goldner are long-time friends.

Nickelodeon is currently airing Power Rangers Super Ninja Steel, the second season sequel to the Power Rangers Ninja Steel series, and the 25th entry in the Power Rangers franchise. The series premiered on January 27. The show uses footage from Toei's ninja-themed Shuriken Sentai Ninninger series, which premiered in February 2015, and marks the 40th anniversary of Toei's Super Sentai franchise.

Saban Brands recently renewed its partnership with Nickelodeon until 2021.

A Power Rangers film opened in the United States last March. The film earned an estimated US$84,234,169 in the United States and a worldwide total of about US$140 million. The film's director Dean Israelite reported last summer that Lionsgate and Saban were in talks for a sequel.

Sources: The Hollywood Reporter (Etan Vlessing), Deadline (Patrick Hipes)

Thanks to Daniel Zelter for the news tip.