Studio B Productions

Studio B Productions was a Canadian animation studio and production company established in Vancouver, British Columbia, in 1988 by Blair Peters and Chris Bartleman. The company operated under the Studio B and Studio B Productions names and became associated with the Canadian animation-production sector, including television animation and production services. Its business model combined the development or co-production of animated television projects with service work for other producers and rights holders. The studio remained an independent Vancouver-based operation for much of its existence. A major ownership change occurred on December 4, 2007, when DHX Media acquired Studio B. The acquisition brought the company into a larger Canadian children's-entertainment and media group while preserving its Vancouver production capabilities. Studio B subsequently operated as one of DHX Media's production assets rather than as an entirely independent brand. DHX Media began consolidating and renaming its subsidiaries during 2010 and 2011. On September 8, 2010, the company announced plans to rename Studio B and other subsidiaries under the DHX Media identity. The legal changes were implemented on December 22, 2010, when Studio B Productions Inc. became DHX Media (Vancouver) Ltd. and Studio B (Animation Service) Productions Inc. became DHX Media Studio (Vancouver) Ltd. Studio B Holdings Inc. was renamed DHX Media (Vancouver Prod) Ltd. on January 11, 2011. These changes effectively ended Studio B's use as the principal operating brand, although the former studio's personnel, facilities, production expertise, and program library continued within the parent company's structure. In 2014, DHX Media acquired Nerd Corps Entertainment, another Vancouver animation company. In 2016, the former Studio B team was relocated to a new Vancouver facility that also housed the former Nerd Corps operation. The two operations were subsequently combined to form DHX Studios, later known as WildBrain Studios. Studio B's series were presented under the DHX Media name until 2019, when DHX Media rebranded as WildBrain. As a result, Studio B Productions is best understood as a defunct historical studio brand whose capabilities and work were carried forward through successive corporate identities rather than as a currently operating standalone company.

Studio B Productions began in Vancouver in 1988, founded by Blair Peters and Chris Bartleman. It developed as a Canadian animation studio and production company, working on animated television programming, films and specials, co-productions, and production services. The company was part of Vancouver's animation-production community and operated under several related corporate names, including Studio B Productions, Inc. and Studio B (Animation Service) Productions, Inc. On December 4, 2007, DHX Media acquired Studio B. The transaction changed Studio B from an independent studio into a subsidiary within a larger children's-entertainment and media group. Studio B's Vancouver production capabilities continued under DHX Media while the parent company increasingly coordinated its operations and brands. A formal identity consolidation followed in 2010 and 2011. DHX Media announced on September 8, 2010, that Studio B and other subsidiaries would be renamed under the DHX Media brand. On December 22, 2010, Studio B Productions Inc. became DHX Media (Vancouver) Ltd., while Studio B (Animation Service) Productions Inc. became DHX Media Studio (Vancouver) Ltd. Studio B Holdings Inc. received a corresponding name change to DHX Media (Vancouver Prod) Ltd. on January 11, 2011. The Studio B brand was therefore discontinued, although the underlying activities and personnel continued within DHX Media. DHX Media expanded its Vancouver presence through the 2014 acquisition of Nerd Corps Entertainment. In 2016, the former Studio B team moved to a new Vancouver facility that also housed the former Nerd Corps operation. The combined operations became DHX Studios, subsequently known as WildBrain Studios. Studio B series were distributed or presented under the DHX Media identity until 2019, when DHX Media rebranded as WildBrain. Studio B Productions consequently survives as a historical corporate and production identity rather than as an active standalone brand.

• 2019

  Successor organization adopts WildBrain identity

  [1]Studio B Productionsen.wikipedia.org

  DHX Media rebranded as WildBrain, placing the successor Vancouver studio operations under the WildBrain name.

• 2016

  Former Studio B operation integrated into DHX Studios

  [1]Studio B Productionsen.wikipedia.org

  The former Studio B team moved into a Vancouver facility shared with the former Nerd Corps operation, which became part of DHX Studios.

• 2011

  Studio B brand discontinued

  [1]Studio B Productionsen.wikipedia.org

  Studio B Holdings Inc. was renamed DHX Media (Vancouver Prod) Ltd., completing the principal legal transition away from the Studio B identity.

• 2010

  Corporate renaming announced

  [1]Studio B Productionsen.wikipedia.org

  DHX Media announced a plan to rename Studio B and other subsidiaries under the DHX Media identity.

• 2010

  Studio B Productions renamed DHX Media (Vancouver)

  [1]Studio B Productionsen.wikipedia.org

  Studio B Productions Inc. became DHX Media (Vancouver) Ltd., and its animation-service subsidiary received a corresponding DHX Media name.

• 2007

  Acquisition by DHX Media

  [1]Studio B Productionsen.wikipedia.org

  DHX Media acquired Studio B Productions on December 4, making it a subsidiary of the expanding media group.

• 1988

  Studio B Productions founded in Vancouver

  [1]Studio B Productionsen.wikipedia.org

  Blair Peters and Chris Bartleman founded the Canadian animation studio and production company in Vancouver, British Columbia.

A Vancouver-based Canadian animation producer and service studio that developed and co-produced animated programming and supplied production services before being integrated into DHX Media's Vancouver operations.

• Television animation

  Animated television series

  Studio B Productions developed, co-produced, and produced animated television programming. The available reference material identifies television series as a central part of the studio's output, but does not provide a verified title list in the supplied source.

• Animation services

  Production services

  The company operated an animation-service business in addition to developing and co-producing original programming. This activity was represented by Studio B (Animation Service) Productions Inc., which was later renamed DHX Media Studio (Vancouver) Ltd.

• Film and television specials

  Animated films and specials

  Films and specials were included among the studio's production categories. The supplied reference confirms this output area but does not identify specific titles or release dates.

• 2016

  Integration with the former Nerd Corps operationStrategy

  Background

  DHX Media had acquired Nerd Corps Entertainment in 2014 and maintained multiple animation operations in Vancouver.

  Action taken

  The former Studio B team was relocated to a facility shared with the former Nerd Corps operation, contributing to the formation of DHX Studios.

  Aftermath

  The combined studio later operated as WildBrain Studios after DHX Media adopted the WildBrain name.

  Source

• 2010

  Consolidation under the DHX Media brandStrategy

  Background

  DHX Media undertook a broader renaming of subsidiaries to present its operations under a common corporate identity.

  Action taken

  The Studio B legal entities were renamed with DHX Media Vancouver designations in December 2010 and January 2011.

  Aftermath

  The Studio B brand was discontinued, while its production capabilities continued under DHX Media.

  Source

• 2007

  DHX Media acquisitionM&A

  Background

  Studio B was operating as an independent Vancouver animation company before being acquired by DHX Media.

  Action taken

  DHX Media acquired Studio B Productions on December 4, 2007.

  Aftermath

  Studio B became a DHX Media subsidiary and its operations were later incorporated into DHX Media's Vancouver structure.

  Source

1. 1Studio B Productionsen.wikipedia.org