Moonbug Acquires Singapore’s One Animation, The Studio Behind ‘Oddbods’

Expanding its international catalog, Moonbug – a Candle Media company – has acquired Singapore animation studio One Animation.

Details:

• Through the acquisition, Moonbug will take over the production and creativity behind the studio’s hugely popular, three-time Emmy-nominated series Oddbods. Moonbug is also looking to expand the show’s global distribution footprint while exploiting new formats, products, and experiences around the IP. Other IP in the One Animation catalog includes Rob the Robot, Insectibles, Antiks, Hard Boiled, and Abigail’s Tales.
• One Animation was launched in Singapore in 2008 by Steven Read and Richard Thomas. The studio’s biggest hit, Oddbods, is a dialogue-free comedy show for kids which has broadcast in more than 180 countries. The show’s YouTube channels have accumulated a combined 24 billion views, 32 million subscribers, and average 350 million views each month.
• One Animation employs a team of 60 in Singapore and another 50 in Jakarta, Indonesia. According to a Moonbug release, the company will remain based in Singapore and continue developing and producing the shows on which they are currently working.
• Moonbug was founded by Disney vet René Rechtman in 2018 and specializes in creating and distributing “fun and safe content” for preschoolers and building those properties up. The company boasts several of the most popular Youtube animation channels, including CoComelon (136 million subscribers) and Little Baby Bum (38.9 million).
• This is the second Moonbug acquisition since joining Candle Media. In February the company purchased the Little Angel Youtube franchise.
• “We continue on our strategy to find the best kids shows in the world and bring them into our portfolio,” said Rechtman. “One Animation’s creative storytelling and international appeal provide us with stronger credentials as we continue on our journey to be the leading digital-first kids’ entertainment company in the world.”
• Candle Media co-chairmen and co-chief executive officers Kevin Mayer and Tom Staggs, who purchased Moonbug for $3 billion last year, said: “One Animation is a fantastic addition, not only for its successful franchises, but also for its capabilities and scale, and the opportunity to further enhance a dynamic Singapore-based hub for Moonbug as a rapidly growing family entertainment powerhouse.”