Sunbow Entertainment

This article is about the animation studio. For the atmospheric phenomena, see 22° halo.

Sunbow Entertainment, LLC

Final logo, used from 1999 to 2004.
Formerly	Sunbow Productions (1980–1995)[1]
Industry	Television production Animation production Animated films
Founded	June 23, 1980; 44 years ago (1980-06-23)
Founder	Griffin-Bacal Advertising
Defunct	December 9, 2009; 15 years ago (2009-12-09)
Fate	Dormant
Successor	Sony Pictures Home Entertainment Library: Hasbro Entertainment Studio 100
Headquarters	New York City , United States
Key people	Tom Griffin Joe Bacal
Parent	Griffin-Bacal Advertising (1980–1998) Sony Wonder (1998–2000) TV-Loonland AG (2000–2009)
Divisions	Sunbow Productions International

Sunbow Entertainment (known as Sunbow Productions until 1995) was an American animation studio and distributor, founded on June 23, 1980, and owned until May 4, 1998, by Griffin-Bacal Advertising in New York City and in the United States. Griffin-Bacal's first animations were animated commercials for Hasbro's G.I. Joe toy line. The success of the animated commercials led partners Tom Griffin and Joe Bacal to form the company. Due to their close working relationship with Hasbro, Sunbow came to be recognized as the toy giant's unofficial television arm.

History

Beginnings and partnerships with Hasbro and Marvel Productions (1980–1992)

Sunbow Productions' logo, used from 1983 until 1994.

Sunbow is noted for many cartoons aired during the 1980s. Most of their work was co-produced with Marvel Productions. Although it is not limited to Hasbro's various toy lines its reputation is linked to the cartoon series tied to them. Its animation was initially produced by the Japanese animation studio Toei Animation, supplemented by the South Korean animation studio AKOM later on.

By 1987, most of Hasbro's toy lines were losing money and internal struggles forced the company to end popular series such as Jem, G.I. Joe and Transformers. Two of Sunbow's animated movies, The Transformers: The Movie and My Little Pony: The Movie, flopped at the box office, forcing a third project, G.I. Joe: The Movie, to be released directly to video. It also led to end the partnership with Marvel Productions in late 1980s. Sunbow also worked with TMS Entertainment with Hasbro's Visionaries: Knights of the Magical Light.

Troubles with original material (1992–1998)

In a bid to produce original material, Sunbow produced several cartoons through the early 1990s such as The Tick and Conan the Adventurer. Only The Tick managed to gain popularity and critical acclaim.

Sony Wonder ownership (1998–2000)

On May 4, 1998, Sony Wonder, a division of Sony Music, bought Sunbow Productions^[2] in order to expand to more original programming for their television division. On May 1, 1999, Sunbow took over European distribution of Sony Wonder's TV IPs.^[3][4]

TV-Loonland ownership, dormancy and closure (2000–2009)

On October 3, 2000, German-based company TV-Loonland AG purchased Sony Wonder's television business assets including Sunbow Entertainment.^[5][6] In exchange for the purchase, Sony Wonder retained US distribution rights to the Sunbow catalogue. Previously, Rhino Entertainment owned the U.S. home video distribution rights to the Sunbow catalogue. The rights then changed hands to Sony Wonder with its acquisition of the catalogue.

On September 5, 2001, the company announced a co-production deal with Rumpus Toys to produce Kappa Mikey, with TV-Loonland holding worldwide and home video distribution rights.^[7] On May 29, 2002, the project was picked up by Noggin for its teen-oriented programming block The N.^[8] Noggin/The N signed a co-development deal for the series,^[9] For unknown reasons, Sunbow and TV-Loonland would later silently pull out of the deal, with the final produced show having no involvement with the two companies.

On October 12, 2001, Sunbow announced a co-development deal with Nickelodeon to produce Skeleton Key, an animated series based on a comic book of the same name^[10][11] for an initial run of 13 episodes. However, the series never materialized. On November 6, production on TV special Donner was completed (originally started in June 2001^[12]), and aired as planned on December 1, on ABC Family.^[13]

On April 10, 2002, the studio announced two additional projects - The Many Adventures of Johnny Mutton, and Mr Stick & Slug Boy.^[14][15] Another pickup came on October 8 with a television adaptation of the book The Day I Swapped My Dad for Two Goldfish in development;^[15] however, none of these projects would come into fruition.

After the announcement that The Cramp Twins' second season would be produced by fellow-Loonland owned studio Telemagination on October 23, 2002,^[16] Sunbow later became dormant after their existing projects were shelved, although they still remained as a company until at least 2009.^[17]

On March 29, 2007, Sony Music Entertainment announced they would shut down Sony Wonder, leaving the US deal under limbo.^[18] However, on June 20, 2007, it was announced that Sony Wonder had been moved into Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, which eventually it renamed as Sony Pictures Family Fun in 2015.^[19][20] However, the Sunbow licenses were not included in the purchase.

On May 14, 2008, Hasbro announced that it had obtained the rights to all the Sunbow Productions animated series based on Hasbro properties for $7 million. This includes Transformers, G.I. Joe, My Little Pony, Jem and the Holograms, and many more.^{[21][22][23][24]} These titles are currently managed as part of the Hasbro Entertainment library.

TV-Loonland filed for bankruptcy on December 9, 2009;^[25] its catalogue was acquired by German distributor Made 4 Entertainment on April 5, 2011.^[26] In February 2017, Belgian production company Studio 100 purchased a majority stake in m4e.^[27]

Filmography

Television series

Show	Year	Network	Notes
The Great Space Coaster	1981–1983	Syndication	Co-production with Metromedia Television
G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero	1983–1986		Based on the Hasbro toyline of the same name. Co-production with Marvel Productions[28]
The Transformers	1984–1987		based on the Hasbro toyline of same name. Co-production with Marvel Productions[28]
Super Sunday (aka Super Saturday) Jem and the Holograms[29] Inhumanoids[30] Robotix Bigfoot and the Muscle Machines[31]	1985		based on the Hasbro toyline of the same name. Co-production with Marvel Productions[28]
Jem and the Holograms	1986		based on the Hasbro toyline of the same name. Co-production with Marvel Productions[29]
Inhumanoids			based on the Hasbro toyline of the same name. Co-production with Marvel Productions[30]
My Little Pony 'n Friends The Glo Friends MoonDreamers Potato Head Kids			based on the Hasbro toyline of same name. Co-production with Marvel Productions;[28] first half of the show was My Little Pony while the second half was a wheel series[31]
Bucky O'Hare and the Toad Wars![32]	1991–1992		co-production with Abrams/Gentile Entertainment, Continuity Comics, IDDH, and Marvel Productions
My Little Pony Tales	1992	The Disney Channel	based on the Hasbro toyline of the same name. Co-production with Graz Entertainment
Conan the Adventurer	1992–1993	Syndication	co-production with Graz Entertainment (Season 1), Créativité & Developpement (Season 2) and AB Productions (Season 2)
Conan and the Young Warriors	1994	CBS	co-production with Graz Entertainment
The Tick	1994–1996	Fox	co-production with Graz Entertainment and Fox Children's Productions. Currently owned by The Walt Disney Company through BVS Entertainment
The Mask: The Animated Series	1995–1997	CBS	co-production with Film Roman, Dark Horse Entertainment and New Line Television. Currently owned by Warner Bros.
Littlest Pet Shop	1995	Syndication	based on Hasbro toyline. Co-production with Créativité & Développement, and AB Productions. Currently owned by Mediawan Thematics
G.I. Joe Extreme	1995		based on Hasbro toyline. Co-production with Gunther-Wahl Productions and Graz Entertainment
Salty's Lighthouse	1997–1998	Syndication (1997) TLC (1998)
The Crayon Box		Syndication	co-production with Chiodo Bros. Productions, Random House Studio, and PolyGram Television
Mission Genesis	1997	Sci-Fi Channel	International distribution only.
Student Bodies	1997–2000	Fox	Season 1 international distribution only. Produced by Telescene and 20th Television
The Brothers Flub	1999–2000	Nickelodeon Super RTL	co-production with Ravensburger Film + TV, Videal and Sony Wonder Television
Fat Dog Mendoza	2000–2001	Cartoon Network	co-production with TMO-Loonland, Cartoon Network Europe and Sony Wonder Television
Generation O!		The WB (Kids' WB)	co-production with RTV Family Entertainment and Sony Wonder Television
The Cramp Twins	2001–2004	Cartoon Network	co-production with TV-Loonland AG and Cartoon Network Europe. Series 2 was produced by Telemagination

Specials

• G.I. Joe: The Revenge of Cobra (1984) (co-production 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-production with TMS Entertainment)
• Transformers: The Return of Optimus Prime (1986) (co-production with Marvel Productions)
• Transformers: The Rebirth (1987) (co-production 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

Airdate	Title	Network	Notes
October 25, 1983	The Charmkins	syndication	based on Hasbro toyline of same name
April 14, 1984	My Little Pony: Rescue at Midnight Castle	syndication	based on Hasbro toyline of same name
March 23, 1985	My Little Pony: Escape from Catrina	syndication	based on Hasbro toyline of same name

Hasbro properties

Note: All programs based on Hasbro properties are co-productions with Marvel Productions. These programs are owned by Entertainment One.

Theatrical films

Airdate	Title	Notes
June 20, 1986	My Little Pony: The Movie	with Marvel Productions[28]
August 8, 1986	The Transformers: The Movie	with Marvel Productions[28]
1986	Inhumanoids: The Movie DTV	with Marvel Productions[28]
April 20, 1987	G.I. Joe: The Movie DTV	with Marvel Productions[28]

TV specials

• The Secret World of the Very Young (1984)
• Donner (2001, in cooperation with Rainbow Studios and TV-Loonland AG)

References

1. "Sunbow Productions changed its name" (PDF). Broadcasting. Broadcasting Publications, Inc. March 20, 1995. p. 77. Retrieved April 28, 2022 – via World Radio History.
2. Schneider, Michael (May 1998). "Sony Wonder gets animated". Electronic Media. 17 (19): 75.
3. "Sunbow takes Sony Wonder product to market".
4. "Sony buys Sunbow" (PDF). Broadcasting. Broadcasting Publications, Inc. May 4, 1998. p. 110. Retrieved April 28, 2022 – via World Radio History.
5. Meaux, Francoise (2000-10-03). "MIPCOM: TV-Loonland acquires Sony Wonder | News | Screen". Screendaily.com. Retrieved 2016-01-18.
6. Variety Staff (2000-10-03). "TV Loonland buys up Sony Wonder units". Variety. Retrieved 2016-01-18.
7. "Sunbow and Rumpus to Produce Kappa Mikey Series".
8. Godfrey, Leigh (May 29, 2002). "Sunbow and Noggin's The N to Co-Develop Kappa Mikey". Animation World Network. Sunbow Entertainment and The N, Noggin's new network for tweens, have signed a co-development deal for the anime comedy KAPPA MIKEY.
9. Fraser, Fiona (May 23, 2002). "The N comes onboard Sunbow's Kappa Mikey". C21Media.
10. "Sunbow and Nick to Develop Skeleton Key".
11. "Ninth Art - Hold the Front Page: An interview with Andi Watson". www.ninthart.com. Archived from the original on 4 July 2002. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
12. "A Half-Hour Christmas CG Cartoon"
13. "ABC Family wraps up Sunbow cgi show for Xmas".
14. "Sunbow options two new toons".
15. "Sunbow to adapt Gaiman book".
16. "The Cramp Twins Picked up for a Second Season".
17. "TV-Loonland". www.tv-loonland.com. Archived from the original on 15 November 2007. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
18. "Transformers DVD news: Report Says Studio with "Transformers" License is Shutting Down - TVShowsOnDVD.com". tvshowsondvd.com. Archived from the original on 29 March 2007. Retrieved 19 July 2015.
19. Variety Staff (2007-06-20). "SPHE absorbs Wonder label". Variety. Retrieved 2016-01-18.
20. "Sony Home Ent. Takes Over Sony Wonder | Animation World Network". Awn.com. 2007-06-21. Retrieved 2016-01-18.
21. "Hasbro Reacquires Sunbow Cartoons". ign.com. May 15, 2008. Retrieved 6 April 2013.
22. Arnold, Thomas K. (2007-03-13). "Kids label Sony Wonder going under: sources". Reuters. Retrieved 2016-01-18.
23. Arnold, Thomas K. (2007-03-14). "Sony ceases Wonder label". Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2016-01-18.
24. Ryan Ball (2007-03-15). "Sony Wonder Closing Shop?". Animation Magazine. Retrieved 2016-01-18.
25. Scott Roxborough, AP (9 December 2009). "TV Loonland files for bankruptcy protection". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 19 July 2015.
26. "M4e acquires TV Loonland content library".
27. "Studio 100 Takes Stake in m4e". 6 April 2018.
28. Gelman, Morrie (September 17, 1986). "Sunbow Takes To Marvel Like Duck To Water In Animation". Variety. Cahners Business Information. p. 81. Archived from the original (jpeg) on February 14, 2012. Retrieved October 18, 2011.
29. Swenson, John (December 22, 1987). "Cartoon Character Puts Singer Into Spotlight". Sun Sentinel. Tribune Publishing. United Press International. Retrieved February 24, 2017.
30. Webber, Tim (December 10, 2016). "15 Cartoon Superheroes Who Jumped To Comic Books". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved February 24, 2017.
31. Imbesi, Pete (May 5, 2017). "15 CLASSIC Cartoons Marvel SECRETLY Produced". Comic Book Rescoures. Retrieved February 16, 2018.
32. Reddish, David (September 1, 2016). "15 Animated Superhero TV Shows You Completely Forgot About". Screen Rant. Retrieved February 24, 2017.