Entertainment One

Corporate brand

Entertainment One is a Canadian-origin entertainment company involved in film and television production, distribution, and family content, now operating within Lionsgate.

Last updated October 14, 2026

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Overview

Entertainment One, commonly known as eOne, is a Canadian-origin entertainment company whose activities have included film and television production, theatrical and home-entertainment distribution, music, and family-oriented intellectual property. Its corporate roots extend to 1973, when the business began as Records on Wheels, a Canadian music retailer and distributor. Through acquisitions, restructuring, and expansion into international markets, the company developed from a music-focused operation into a diversified content business. The eOne identity became particularly associated with the company’s expansion during the 2000s. It acquired or built distribution operations in Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and other territories, while also investing in film and television production. Its acquisition of Alliance Films in 2013 significantly enlarged its international distribution and production capabilities. The company subsequently became involved in the production, financing, licensing, and distribution of films and television series, including projects connected with independent producers and established entertainment franchises. Family entertainment became one of eOne’s most visible areas. The company controlled and commercialized important children’s properties, most notably Peppa Pig and PJ Masks, through production, licensing, merchandising, and distribution activities. These brands gave eOne a substantial presence beyond conventional film distribution and made it strategically relevant to Hasbro, whose toy and entertainment portfolio included properties such as Transformers, My Little Pony, and Monopoly. In 2019, Hasbro completed its acquisition of Entertainment One in a transaction valued at approximately US$4 billion. Under Hasbro, eOne continued to operate as an entertainment production and distribution business while its family brands were integrated into Hasbro’s broader branded-entertainment strategy. The acquisition was intended to strengthen Hasbro’s ownership and exploitation of screen-based intellectual property and to provide a larger pipeline of content for global audiences. Hasbro announced in 2023 that it had agreed to sell eOne’s film and television business to Lionsgate. The transaction closed later that year for approximately US$500 million in cash, subject to adjustments. Hasbro retained the eOne Music business and certain family brands, including Peppa Pig and PJ Masks, while Lionsgate acquired the film and television production and distribution operations. Consequently, the modern eOne name is associated with a Lionsgate-owned film and television business, whereas several of the family properties that once defined the brand’s consumer visibility remained with Hasbro. Today, eOne is best understood as a content-production and distribution label within the Lionsgate ecosystem rather than as an independent public company. Its business is centered on film and television development, production, financing, and distribution, with capabilities spanning theatrical, broadcast, cable, streaming, and other licensing channels. Corporate ownership, brand boundaries, and the treatment of individual catalogues have changed repeatedly, so references to eOne should distinguish the former broader Hasbro-era company from the film and television operation acquired by Lionsgate.

History

Entertainment One traces its corporate history to 1973, when Records on Wheels was established in Canada. The original business operated in music retail and distribution, a sector that provided the foundation for later expansion into recorded music and filmed entertainment. Over time, the company changed its corporate identity and broadened its activities, eventually operating as ROW Entertainment before adopting the Entertainment One name. During the 2000s, the company pursued an acquisition-led growth strategy. It expanded its distribution capabilities in Canada and internationally and developed operations covering film, television, and music. Entertainment One became publicly traded in Canada and used access to capital to build a larger content library and international infrastructure. Its business model combined rights acquisition, production financing, licensing, and distribution across theatrical, broadcast, home-entertainment, and emerging digital channels. A major turning point came in 2013, when Entertainment One acquired Alliance Films. Alliance had substantial film distribution and production operations in territories including Canada, the United Kingdom, and Spain. The transaction made eOne a more significant international independent distributor and gave it a larger catalogue and stronger relationships with producers, broadcasters, exhibitors, and retailers. The company continued to work with third-party producers while also increasing its involvement in original film and television production. Television became an increasingly important part of the business. eOne participated in the financing, production, and distribution of scripted and unscripted programming and was associated with internationally distributed series such as The Walking Dead and Designated Survivor. The company’s strategy was not limited to owning finished programs: it sought control of underlying rights and international sales opportunities, allowing content to be monetized through multiple windows and territories. Family entertainment became another defining part of eOne’s development. Through its ownership and management of children’s properties, particularly Peppa Pig and PJ Masks, the company established a global licensing and merchandising presence. These properties generated value through television production and distribution as well as toys, consumer products, publishing, live events, and other extensions. This family portfolio ultimately attracted Hasbro, a global toy and games company seeking greater control of entertainment intellectual property. Hasbro announced its agreement to acquire Entertainment One in 2019 and completed the transaction the same year. The acquisition removed eOne from public trading and made it part of Hasbro’s broader entertainment and brands organization. Hasbro positioned the deal as a way to obtain a larger portfolio of family brands and production capabilities, while eOne’s film and television operations continued to serve external partners and develop content for multiple platforms. In 2023, Hasbro announced the sale of eOne’s film and television business to Lionsgate. The transaction separated the general film and television operation from important family assets that Hasbro chose to retain, including Peppa Pig and PJ Masks, along with eOne Music. After closing, Lionsgate became the owner of the acquired film and television business and incorporated its production and distribution capabilities into the Lionsgate group. The transaction marked another major change in eOne’s corporate identity: the company’s current meaning is primarily the Lionsgate-owned film and television operation, while the family brands that made eOne especially recognizable to consumers are no longer necessarily part of the same operating business.

2023
Film and television business sold to Lionsgate
[4]Lionsgate investor news and press releasesinvestors.lionsgate.com
Lionsgate acquired eOne’s film and television business from Hasbro, while Hasbro retained eOne Music and selected family brands.
2019
Hasbro acquisition completed
[2]Hasbro completes acquisition of Entertainment Oneinvestor.hasbro.com
Hasbro completed its acquisition of Entertainment One, taking the company private and adding its entertainment capabilities and family properties to Hasbro’s portfolio.
2013
Alliance Films acquisition
[1]Entertainment Oneen.wikipedia.org
Entertainment One acquired Alliance Films, increasing its international film production and distribution scale.
2007
Entertainment One becomes publicly traded
[1]Entertainment Oneen.wikipedia.org
The company became publicly listed in Canada as it expanded its entertainment distribution and production operations.
1973
Corporate roots begin as Records on Wheels
[1]Entertainment Oneen.wikipedia.org
The business that later developed into Entertainment One was established in Canada as Records on Wheels, initially operating in music retail and distribution.

Products and positioning

International film and television production and distribution company with a history in music and a major family-entertainment portfolio.

Film production and distribution
Feature films
eOne has developed, financed, produced, acquired, and distributed feature films for theatrical, home-entertainment, broadcast, and digital markets. Its activities have included independent productions and international sales, with rights managed across multiple territories and release windows.
Television production and distribution
Television series
Television has been a core eOne activity, covering scripted and unscripted development, production financing, international distribution, and licensing to broadcasters, cable networks, and streaming services. The company has participated in both original programming and third-party producer projects.
Children's entertainment franchise · 2004
Peppa Pig
Peppa Pig is a globally distributed preschool entertainment property that became one of the most commercially visible brands associated with eOne. Its exploitation has included television, licensing, consumer products, publishing, live experiences, and merchandising. Hasbro retained the brand after selling eOne’s film and television business to Lionsgate.
Children's entertainment franchise · 2015
PJ Masks
PJ Masks is a preschool and children’s action-adventure property associated with eOne’s family-entertainment portfolio. It has been extended through television distribution, toys, licensing, publishing, and other consumer products. Hasbro retained the brand following the 2023 sale of eOne’s film and television operations.
Music · 1973
Music and recorded entertainment
Music was part of Entertainment One’s historical business from its Records on Wheels roots through its later recorded-music and label activities. Hasbro retained the eOne Music business when the film and television operation was sold to Lionsgate.

Controversies

2022
eOne files action against Sconnect over Wolfoo
Entertainment One (eOne), with Astley Baker Davies, filed an action against Sconnect at the High Court in London. The claim alleges passing off and copyright infringement relating to Sconnect’s Wolfoo videos and merchandise, and alleges breaches of registered trademarks; the article reports allegations, not a court determination.
Source

2023
Sale of eOne film and television business to LionsgateM&A
Background
Hasbro reviewed its entertainment assets and sought to focus more closely on its core branded-play and family-entertainment strategy.
Action taken
Hasbro sold the eOne film and television business to Lionsgate while retaining eOne Music and selected family brands.
Aftermath
Lionsgate acquired the film and television production and distribution operation, while Hasbro retained properties including Peppa Pig and PJ Masks.
Purchase price. Approximately US$500 million in cash, subject to adjustments (2023)
Source
2019
Hasbro acquires Entertainment OneM&A
Background
Hasbro sought a larger portfolio of globally exploitable entertainment properties and production capabilities, while eOne had developed significant film, television, and family-entertainment operations.
Action taken
Hasbro completed the acquisition of Entertainment One and took the formerly publicly traded company private.
Aftermath
eOne operated within Hasbro, with its family properties incorporated into Hasbro’s branded-entertainment strategy.
Transaction value. Approximately US$4 billion (2019)
Source

Recent events

2022-01-26
eOne files action against Sconnect over Wolfoo[5]eOne files action against Sconnect over Wolfootheguardian.com
Reported: 2022-01-26
Entertainment One (eOne), with Astley Baker Davies, filed an action against Sconnect at the High Court in London. The claim alleges passing off and copyright infringement relating to Sconnect’s Wolfoo videos and merchandise, and alleges breaches of registered trademarks; the article reports allegations, not a court determination.
Unconfirmed
Focus Features acquires worldwide rights to Blue Bayou[6]焦点影业取得《蓝色海湾》全球发行权comingsoon.net
Reported: 2020-07-02
Focus Features acquired worldwide rights to Justin Chon's film Blue Bayou from MACRO and Entertainment One (eOne). Focus Features will distribute the film in the U.S., while Universal Pictures International will distribute it internationally.
2019-12-30
Hasbro completes acquisition of Entertainment One[7]孩之宝完成收购Entertainment Onevariety.com
Reported: 2019-12-30
Hasbro completed its acquisition of Entertainment One in an all-cash deal valued at $3.8 billion. Entertainment One CEO Darren Throop will report to Hasbro chairman and CEO Brian Goldner.
2019-12-04
Super Channel acquires Canadian broadcast rights to Upright[8]Super Channel取得《Upright》加拿大播映权channelcanada.com
Reported: 2019-12-05
Super Channel announced that it had acquired the eight-episode comedy-drama Upright from Entertainment One for Canadian broadcast.

Sources12 sources

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