WildBrain Studios
WildBrain Studios (formerly DHX Studios) is a Vancouver-based studio and a division of WildBrain that produces animated and live-action series.
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Formerly | DHX Studios (2016–2019) |
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Type | Division |
Industry | Animation Live-action |
Predecessors | |
Founded | 2016 |
Headquarters | , |
Products | Animated television series |
Number of employees | >700 (2020) |
Parent | WildBrain |
Website | www |
Footnotes / references [1] |
1968 | FilmFair is founded |
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1971 | DIC Entertainment is founded |
1976 | CINAR and Colossal Pictures are founded |
1988 | Studio B Productions is founded |
1994 | WildBrain Entertainment is founded |
1996 | FilmFair sells to CINAR |
1997 | Decode Entertainment is founded |
1999 | Colossal Pictures sells to WildBrain Entertainment |
2004 | Halifax Film Company is founded and CINAR renames as Cookie Jar Group |
2006 | Decode & Halifax merge forming DHX Media |
2007 | DHX Media buys Studio B Productions |
2008 | Cookie Jar Group buys DIC Entertainment |
2010 | DHX Media buys Wildbrain Entertainment |
2012 | DHX Media buys Cookie Jar Group |
2013 | DHX Media buys Ragdoll Worldwide |
2014 | DHX Media buys Epitome Pictures & Nerd Corps Entertainment |
2016 | Wildbrain Entertainment closes & Studio B merges with Nerd Corps forming DHX Studios |
2017 | DHX Media buys Iconix Brands Entertainment |
2019 | DHX Media rebrands itself as WildBrain |
History
In January 2016, DHX Media announced that they would be building a 60,000 square-foot studio in Vancouver that would focus on both animated and live-action productions.[2][3] The former Studio B Productions (which DHX Media acquired in 2007) and Nerd Corps Entertainment (acquired in 2014) production teams were relocated to the new building later in the year.[2][3]
The studio consists of two production teams: the former Nerd Corps team, which focuses on the production of CGI animated shows, and the former Studio B team, which focuses on the production of 2D animated shows (including those animated with Adobe Animate).
As of 2019, the Vancouver studio is the only one remaining in the division, as the other studios were either sold off or closed.
Filmography
Animated series
Title | Creator(s) / Developer(s) | Year(s) | Network | Co-production with | Notes |
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DHX Studios | |||||
Blaze and the Monster Machines |
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2015–present | Nick Jr. | Nickelodeon Animation Studio | Season 2 onward. Previously produced by Nerd Corps Entertainment in season 1. Produced as DHX Studios from seasons 2 to 5. |
The Mr. Peabody and Sherman Show | 2015–2017 | Netflix | Animation services. | ||
Supernoobs |
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2015–2019 |
|
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The Deep |
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2015–present |
|
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Seasons 1–3. Season 4 shifted animation production to Infinite Studios in Singapore. |
Looped |
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2016–2019 | Teletoon | Neptoon Studios | |
Kate & Mim-Mim |
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2016–2018 |
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FremantleMedia Kids & Family Entertainment | Season 2 only. Previously produced by Nerd Corps Entertainment in season 1. |
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs |
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2017–2018 |
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[4][5] | |
Chuck's Choice | Kervin Faria | 2017 | YTV | Corus Entertainment | [6] |
Polly Pocket |
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2018–present |
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Mattel Television | |
The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle |
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2018–2019 | Amazon Prime Video |
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Animation services. |
Chip and Potato |
|
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Darrall Macqueen | ||
Mega Man: Fully Charged | Man of Action |
|
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Carmen Sandiego | Duane Capizzi | 2019–2021 | Netflix | Houghton Mifflin Harcourt I Can and I Will Productions |
Produced as DHX Studios from seasons 1 and 2. |
Ninjago |
|
2019–present | Cartoon Network | The Lego Group | Season 11 onward. Previously produced by Wil Film ApS from seasons 1 to 10. Produced as DHX Studios in season 11. |
Rev & Roll | 2019 | Alpha Group Co., Ltd. | |||
Snoopy in Space |
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2019–present | Apple TV+ | Schulz Studio | Produced as DHX Studios in season 1. |
WildBrain Studios | |||||
Dorg Van Dango |
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2020–2021 |
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Cartoon Saloon | [7] |
Go, Dog. Go! | Adam Peltzman | 2021–present | Netflix | DreamWorks Animation Television | |
The Snoopy Show |
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Apple TV+ | Schulz Studio | ||
Johnny Test | Scott Fellows | Netflix | Revival of the 2005 animated series. | ||
Strawberry Shortcake: Berry in the Big City | Michael Vogel | YouTube | [8] | ||
The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder | 2022–present | Disney+ | Bar Productions Disney Television Animation |
Animation services.[9] | |
Sonic Prime | 2022 | Netflix | Man of Action | ||
Live-action series
Title | Creator(s) / Developer(s) | Year(s) | Network | Co-production with | Notes |
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DHX Studios | |||||
The Zoo | 2017–present | CBBC | BBC Studios | ||
Are You Afraid of the Dark? |
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2019–present | Nickelodeon |
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Season 8 onward. |
WildBrain Studios | |||||
Letterkenny | 2019–present |
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Season 8 onward. Previously produced by DHX Studios Toronto from seasons 1 to 7. | ||
My Perfect Landing | Frank van Keeken | 2020 |
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Beachwood Canyon Productions | |
Malory Towers |
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2020–present | King Bert Productions | ||
Yo Gabba Gabba! | TBA | Apple TV+ | Yo Gabba Gabba LLC | Revival of the 2007 series.[10] | |
Specials
Title | Director(s) | Year(s) | Network | Co-production with | Notes |
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DHX Studios | |||||
Carmen Sandiego: To Steal or Not to Steal | Jos Humphrey Co-directors Kenny Park and Mike West |
2020 | Netflix | HMH Productions I Can & I Will Productions |
Interactive special |
WildBrain Studios | |||||
Who Are You, Charlie Brown? | Michael Bonfiglio | 2021 | Apple TV+ | Imagine Documentaries Schulz Studio |
Documentary special.[11] |
Johnny Test's Ultimate Meatloaf Quest | Netflix | Interactive special | |||
Snoopy Presents: For Auld Lang Syne | Clay Kaytis | Apple TV+ | Schulz Studio | Holiday special[12] | |
Snoopy Presents: It's The Small Things, Charlie Brown | Raymond S. Persi | 2022 | Holiday special[13] | ||
Snoopy Presents: To Mom (and Dad), With Love | Clay Kaytis | Holiday special[13] | |||
Untitled Caillou CG animated specials | Family Jr. | Five 44-minute specials centred around Christmas, Halloween, Family Day, Summer vacation and Anti-Bullying Day.[14] | |||
Untitled Strawberry Shortcake CG animated specials | TBA | [8] | |||
Untitled Johnny Test specials | TBA | Netflix | 66-minute Interactive special[15] |
Former and related studios
Island of Misfits
![]() Logo used as Halifax Film | |
Formerly | Halifax Film Company (2004–2006) Halifax Film (2006–2010) DHX Media Halifax (2010–2016) |
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Type | Private (2004–2006) Subsidiary (2006–2018) |
Industry | Television |
Predecessor | Salter Street Films |
Founded | 2004 |
Fate | Merged with Decode Entertainment to form DHX Media Sold to IoM Media Ventures |
Successor | DHX Media |
Parent | DHX Media (2006–2018) IoM Media Ventures (2018–present) |
Website | www |
Island of Misfits was originally known as the Halifax Film Company and was established by former Salter Street Films executives Michael Donovan and Charles Bishop in May 2004.[16] Under the name, Halifax Film produced live-action television shows, children's stop-motion series, CGI productions and dramas. It was headed by Nova Scotia Business Inc., which expanded and helped to open up their own new markets, and bought out This Hour Has 22 Minutes from Alliance Atlantis in 2005.[17]
On May 16, 2006, Halifax Film and Decode Entertainment announced that they would merge to form the holding company DHX Media.[18] Halifax Film became a subsidiary of DHX Media in the process. It was decided that unlike its predecessor, its main goal was to be on family entertainment.[19] In 2010 all DHX Media subsidiaries including Halifax Film were all merged to form one brand under the DHX Media name.
In 2014, the studio relocated from a location at Purdy's Wharf to the Park Lane Mall.[20] As of 2019, with the exception of This Hour Has 22 Minutes, DHX Studios Halifax solely produces CGI-animated material.
In November 2018, as part of a series of restructurations within the company, DHX sold its Halifax animation studio to IoM Media Ventures, a company led by former DHX CEO Dana Landry.[21][22] Despite the sale, the studio continues to provide animation for WildBrain-owned shows.
Live-action series
Title | Creator(s) / Developer(s) | Year(s) | Network | Co-production with | Notes |
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This Hour Has 22 Minutes | Mary Walsh | 2005– | CBC Television | DHX Media Canadian Broadcasting Corporation |
Seasons 12–25. Produced as Halifax Film Company in season 12, as Halifax Film in seasons 13–17 and as DHX Studios Vancouver in seasons 18–25. |
North/South | Floyd Kane | 2006 | Produced as Halifax Film. | ||
The Guard | 2008–2009 | Global | |||
That's So Weird! | Jeff Copeland | 2009–2012 | YTV | Produced as Halifax Film in season 1 and as DHX Studios Halifax in seasons 2 and 3. | |
Animated series
Title | Creator(s) / Developer(s) | Years | Network | Co-production with | Notes |
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Lunar Jim | Alexander Bar | 2006–2007 | CBC Television | Alliance Atlantis | Produced as Halifax Film. |
Bo on the Go! | Jeff Rosen | 2007–2011 | |||
Animal Mechanicals | |||||
The Mighty Jungle |
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2007–2008 | Decode Entertainment | ||
Poko |
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2008 |
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Season 2. Produced as Halifax Film. | |
Pirates: Adventures in Art | 2010–2011 | Privateer II Productions | Produced as Halifax Film. | ||
Doozers | 2013–2018 | The Jim Henson Company | |||
Inspector Gadget | 2015–2018 |
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DHX Media | ||
Wishenpoof! | Angela Santomero | 2015 | Amazon Prime Video | [23] | |
Super Why! |
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2015–2016 | Out of the Blue Enterprises | Season 3. | |
Space Ranger Roger | 2017 | [24] | |||
Bob the Builder | Keith Chapman | 2017–2018 |
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Mattel Creations | Animation services for season 3 as IoM Media Ventures Halifax. |
Fireman Sam |
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2017–present | Channel 5 | Mattel Television | Season 11 onward. Produced as DHX Studios Halifax in season 11. Animation services from season 12 onward as Island of Misfits. |
Films
Title | Year | Co-production with | Distributed by | Notes |
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Shake Hands with the Devil | 2007 | Barna-Alper Productions Head Gear Films Seville Productions |
Seville Pictures | |
DHX Media Los Angeles
On September 14, 2010, DHX acquired the Los Angeles-based first incarnation of WildBrain Entertainment.[25] At an undisclosed point, the studio was renamed to DHX Media Los Angeles.[26] In 2013, DHX moved its work for hire productions from the location to its Canadian operations.[27] The studio was shuttered in 2017.[28]
DHX Media Toronto
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Formerly | Decode Entertainment, Inc. (1997–2010) DHX Media Toronto (2010–2011) |
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Type | Private (1997–2006) Subsidiary (2006–2011) |
Industry | Television |
Founded | February 27, 1997 |
Founder | Steven DeNure Neil Court John Delmage |
Defunct | 2011 |
Fate | Merged with Halifax Film Company |
Successor | DHX Media |
Owner | DHX Media |
DHX Media Toronto was founded on February 27, 1997, and originally known as Decode Entertainment, Inc. by Steven DeNure, Neil Court, and John Delmage. The company produced numerous television shows and was an international supplier of television and interactive programming for children and youth. Decode Entertainment focused on traditional animation, computer-generated animation, and live-action shows. The name "Decode" is an acronym of the combination of the names DeNure, Court, and Delmage.
On May 16, 2006, Decode Entertainment and Halifax Film announced that they would merge with to form the holding company DHX Media.[18] Decode Entertainment became a subsidiary of DHX Media in the process, distributing Halifax Film shows and other DHX properties. In 2010 all DHX Media subsidiaries including Decode Entertainment were rebranded under the DHX Media name.
By 2011, DHX Media ceased production on producing content at the ex-Decode offices. The company known as Epitome Pictures, which DHX acquired in 2014, assumed the name of DHX Studios Toronto in 2016, but it has no relation outside the name.
Live-action series
Title | Creator(s) / Developer(s) | Years | Network | Co-production with | Notes |
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Our Hero |
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2000–2002 | CBC Television | Heroic Film Company | |
The Zack Files | Kathy Slevin | YTV | |||
The Hoobs | 2001–2003 | Channel 4 | The Jim Henson Company | ||
Be the Creature | 2003–2004 | National Geographic Channel | Kratt Brothers Company Limited | ||
Radio Free Roscoe | Will McRobb Douglas McRobb |
2003–2005 | Family Channel | ||
Naturally, Sadie |
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2005–2007 | |||
The Adrenaline Project | 2007–2008 | YTV | Marblemedia | Distribution only. | |
The Latest Buzz | Brent Piaskoski | 2007–2010 | Family Channel | ||
Grandpa in My Pocket | Mellie Buse and Jan Page | 2009–2010 | CBeebies | Adastra Creative Ltd. | Distribution only. |
Waybuloo | Dan Good | 2009–2014 |
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The Foundation | Live-action/animated series. Produced as Decode Entertainment in season 1 and as DHX Media Toronto in seasons 2–4. |
How to Be Indie |
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2009–2011 | YTV |
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Produced as Decode Entertainment in season 1 and as DHX Media Toronto in season 2. |
Animated series
Title | Creator(s) / Developer(s) | Years | Network | Co-production with | Notes |
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Freaky Stories |
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1997–2000 |
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Angela Anaconda |
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1999–2001 |
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C.O.R.E. | |
Watership Down |
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Weird-Oh's | Bill Campbell | 1999–2002 |
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Rainbow Fish | 1999–2000 | ||||
Undergrads |
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2001 |
|
|
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Olliver's Adventures | Edward Kay | 2002–2003 | Teletoon | Collideascope Digital Productions | |
Girlstuff/Boystuff |
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2002–2005 | YTV |
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The Blobheads | 2003 | ||||
King |
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2003–2005 | Family Channel | Funbag Animation Studios | |
The Save-Ums! |
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2003–2006 |
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Franny's Feet |
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2003–2010 |
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Bromwell High |
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2005 |
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Hat Trick Productions | |
Delilah and Julius |
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2005–2008 | Teletoon | Collideascope Digital Productions | |
Planet Sketch | 2005–2007 |
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Aardman Animations | ||
Dudson's Modern Tales | 2006 | ||||
Naughty Naughty Pets | |||||
Super Why! |
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2007–2012 | Out of the Blue Enterprises | Seasons 1 and 2. | |
Clang Invasion |
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2007–2008 | YTV |
|
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Urban Vermin |
|
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Chop Socky Chooks | Sergio Delfino | 2008 | Teletoon | Aardman Animations | |
The Mighty Jungle | Jeff Rosen | CBC Television | Halifax Film | ||
Dirtgirlworld |
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2009–2011 |
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Mememe Productions | |
PoppetsTown | Katherine Sangford | 2009 | Neptuno Films | ||
DHX Studios Toronto
In 2016, Epitome Pictures was rebranded as DHX Studios Toronto (no relation to the animation studio of the same name). The company produced live-action shows.
In 2019, DHX sold off the building, ceasing operations at the Toronto studio in the process.[29]
See also
- WildBrain Spark
- Studio B Productions
- WildBrain Entertainment - the first iteration of WildBrain
- Cookie Jar Group
- Ragdoll Productions
- Epitome Pictures
- Nerd Corps Entertainment
- Iconix Brand Group
References
- Zahid, Ramen (June 10, 2020). "Q&A: Amir Nasrabadi Wraps an Eventful 1st Year as EVP/GM, WildBrain Vancouver". Animation Magazine. Retrieved June 12, 2020.
- "DHX Media Announces DHX Studios". Animation World News. Retrieved 22 October 2018.
- Chan, Kenneth (February 3, 2016). "DHX Studios to open new state-of-the-art animation facility in Vancouver". VanCity Buzz. Retrieved October 15, 2017.
- Friedlander, Whitney (2014-10-09). "Sony, DHX Creating 'Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs' TV Series". Variety. Retrieved 2016-04-26.
- Milligan, Mercedes (June 20, 2016). "Sony Unveils 2017-18 Animation Slate". Animation Magazine. Retrieved June 12, 2020.
- "Archive » DHX Media announces trio of greenlights". Kidscreen. 2016-03-30. Retrieved 2016-04-26.
- Whyte, Alexandra (February 11, 2019). "Nick taps new VP, picks up DHX show". Kidscreen. Brunico Communications. Retrieved June 12, 2020.
- "WILDBRAIN BAKES UP AN ALL-NEW STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE FOR TODAY'S DIGITAL-SAVVY KIDS". WildBrain (Press release). New York City. September 9, 2021. Retrieved September 11, 2021.
- @wildbrainstudio (July 27, 2021). "Come work with us on The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder -- we're currently looking for Harmony Animators! If you'd like to join the team, we're accepting remote and freelance candidates. Apply now: fal.cn/3h2bR. #animationjobs" (Tweet). Retrieved September 11, 2021 – via Twitter.
- "Yo Gabba Gabba! Headed to Apple TV+ with New Original Series". WildBrain (Press release). September 10, 2021. Retrieved September 10, 2021.
- "Apple announces "Who Are You, Charlie Brown?" celebrating the origins of the beloved "Peanuts" characters and their creator, Charles M. Schulz". Apple TV+ Press (Press release). June 4, 2021. Retrieved June 4, 2021.
- "New Peanuts Holiday Special, 'For Auld Lang Syne,' Coming This Holiday Season to Apple TV+". Collider. 2021-10-04. Retrieved 2021-10-04.
- Vito Oddo, Marco (February 22, 2022). "'The Snoopy Show' Season 2 Trailer Celebrates the Power of Imagination". Collider. Retrieved February 22, 2022.
- "WILDBRAIN TELEVISION CELEBRATES CANADIAN CREATIVITY WITH NEW GREENLIGHTS ACROSS ANIMATION AND LIVE-ACTION, OFFERING PROGRAMMING FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY TO ENJOY". WildBrain (Press release). Toronto. September 1, 2021. Retrieved September 11, 2021.
- "WildBrain, Netflix bring back Johnny Test". Retrieved 2021-12-21.
- Bracken, Laura (September 13, 2004). "Salter team reborn at Halifax Film Company". PlayBack. Retrieved December 29, 2012.
- "Halifax Film Company Set For Action". News Releases. Communications Nova Scotia. 2018-05-11. Retrieved 2021-12-09.
- Won, Shirley (17 May 2006). "Donovan's new production firm to target the wee market". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 22 October 2018.
- Won, Shirley (2007-04-17). "Salter Street sequel DHX sees future in kids' shows". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 2021-12-09.
- "New DHX Media studio opens up in downtown Halifax - NEWS 95.7". News957.com. 25 June 2014. Retrieved 22 October 2018.
- "DHX selling Halifax animation studio". Kidscreen. Retrieved 2018-12-16.
- "Former DHX boss acquires Halifax animation studio". The Chronicle Herald. Retrieved 2018-12-16.
- "Halifax - DHX Media". Halifax.dhxmedia.com. Retrieved 2016-04-26.
- "Halifax - DHX Media". Halifax.dhxmedia.com. Retrieved 2016-04-26.
- Schneider, Michael (September 14, 2010). "DHX Media acquires Wildbrain". Variety. Retrieved June 12, 2020.
- "Studios". DHX Media. Archived from the original on June 25, 2015. Retrieved June 12, 2020.
- Vlessing, Etan (February 14, 2013). "DHX Media Shifts Los Angeles Work-For-Hire Studio Production to Canada". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved June 12, 2020.
- "DHX MEDIA REPORTS RESULTS FOR FISCAL 2017". DHX Media (Press release). Halifax. September 27, 2017. Retrieved June 12, 2020.
- "DHX Media selling building in Toronto for $12 million, proceeds to pay down debt". The Canadian Press. Global News. April 2, 2019. Retrieved June 12, 2020.