Authentic Brands Group, a global brand and entertainment platform, has signed a definitive agreement to acquire the intellectual property of Care Bears. This acquisition expands Authentic's presence in family entertainment and marks its first character-based franchise. The deal is expected to close in the third quarter of 2026, subject to customary closing conditions. Financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed, but an industry comparison points to Peanuts, a comparable evergreen character brand, which was sold in December 2025 for C$630 million (approximately 23x EBITDA).
Care Bears, originally introduced as a greeting card concept in the early 1980s, has evolved into a global entertainment franchise with more than $12 billion in lifetime retail sales. Under the stewardship of IVEST Consumer Partners and Cloverlay, who acquired the brand in 2023, Care Bears' revenue increased fourfold and is on track to exceed $750 million in retail sales by year-end 2026. Global brand awareness for Care Bears has reached 85%, positioning it as second among its peer group. The brand reaches consumers in over 190 countries, appears in 26 languages, and features more than 100 bears, each representing a distinct emotion.
Authentic's Entertainment division, led by CEO Corey Salter, highlighted Care Bears' nearly 45-year history of emotional connection, an active content pipeline, over 500 licensing partners, and a devoted fanbase. Authentic Studios and Authentic Live will play central roles in extending the Care Bears universe through new stories, audiences, and fan experiences across content, gaming, live events, and film. This move aligns with Authentic's strategy of accelerating iconic intellectual property through content, experiences, and global commerce.
