Hasbro Acquires the Power Rangers Brand for $522 Million
Tuesday, May 1st, 2018 9:22pm CDT
Categories: Press Releases, Company NewsPosted by: william-james88 Views: 21,839
Topic Options: View Discussion · Sign in or Join to reply
And yes, this does mean that Hasbro can now incorporate Power Rangers into their shared universe (in comics, tv, or movies) if they wish it. Who wouldn't want a Megazord/Optimus Prime team up? It will be interesting to see if assets from the Transformers brand will cross over to Power Rangers, in terms of toys. We do know that the Takara and Hasbro's Transformers designers also work on the Beyblade property, for instance, so we could be seeing some shared technology bleed into eventual Power Rangers toys.

What is truly fascinating is that this renews an association between Hasbro and Bandai. In the (now distant) past, Power Rangers toys released outside of Japan were simply the Japanese toys with perhaps differences in deco and of course the packaging. That has changed since, with the toys outside Japan being a different take on the same mecha designs found in the show (both Power Rangers and the Japanese Super Sentai shows use the same giant robot fight scenes). If you thought there were big differences between Hasbro and Takara releases, you are not prepared for how different the Japanese Super Sentai toys were from the and American Power Rangers toys.
It is still unknown just how much Hasbro will collaborate with Bandai regarding the toys, especially with the first line from Hasbro is confirmed to be a pre-existing line from Bandai Japan. They will be tackling Beast Morphers!, which will be based on the 2012 Super Sentai’s Tokumei Sentai Go-Busters line. Here is an example of the costume and mecha designs from this line which Hasbro will in turn be releasing in their own way.



Here is the press release from Hasbro themselves.
“Power Rangers is an iconic brand built on a heritage of great storytelling and merchandising with tremendous upside potential when fully executed across Hasbro’s Brand Blueprint,” said Brian Goldner, Hasbro’s chairman and chief executive officer. “Shortly after entering into our licensing arrangement, it became clear that now was the time to begin investing in unlocking Power Rangers’ full potential. We see significant opportunity for Power Rangers across our entire Brand Blueprint, including toys and games, consumer products, digital gaming and entertainment, as well as geographically throughout our global retail footprint. We couldn’t be more pleased that Haim Saban will continue in a consulting role to further guide our development of this valuable property for the next generation of Power Rangers fans.”
“25 years after launching Power Rangers, I believe the future for this brand has never been greater,” said Haim Saban, founder of Saban Brands and creator of Power Rangers. “Hasbro’s leadership in innovation, storytelling and brand stewardship make it the perfect company to further develop the global reach and appeal of the Power Rangers property. I look forward to working with Brian and the team in the years to come.”
Created by Haim Saban and launched in 1993, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers quickly became a pop culture phenomenon. Today, Power Rangers is one of the longest running kids’ live-action series in television history with nearly 900 episodes produced to date. The TV series, currently in its 25th season with Power Rangers Super Ninja Steel, and feature films, including 2017’s movie with Lionsgate, follows the adventures of a group of ordinary teens who morph into superheroes and save the world from evil. Saban’s Power Rangers currently airs in 150 markets around the world and is translated into numerous languages.
The first set of products from Hasbro will be available in spring 2019.
Transaction Details
Hasbro has previously paid Saban Brands$22.25 million pursuant to the Power Rangers master toy license agreement, announced by the parties in February of 2018, that was scheduled to begin in 2019. Those amounts are being credited against the purchase price. Under the terms of the purchase agreement, Hasbro will pay an additional $229.75 million in cash and will issue $270 million worth of Hasbro common stock for the Power Rangers brand and several other entertainment brands. The agreement includes all related intellectual property, category rights and content libraries owned by Saban Properties and its affiliates. The transaction is subject to a number of customary closing conditions, including obtaining required regulatory approvals, and is expected to close during the second quarter of 2018.
The transaction, including intangible amortization expense, is not expected to have a material impact on Hasbro’s 2018 results of operations.
J.P. Morgan Securities LLC is serving as financial advisor to Hasbro.
About Hasbro
Hasbro (NASDAQ: HAS) is a global play and entertainment company committed to Creating the World's Best Play Experiences. From toys and games to television, movies, digital gaming and consumer products, Hasbro offers a variety of ways for audiences to experience its iconic brands, including NERF, MY LITTLE PONY, TRANSFORMERS, PLAY-DOH, MONOPOLY, BABY ALIVE and MAGIC: THE GATHERING, as well as premier partner brands. Through its entertainment labels, Allspark Pictures and Allspark Animation, the Company is building its brands globally through great storytelling and content on all screens. Hasbro is committed to making the world a better place for children and their families through corporate social responsibility and philanthropy. Hasbro ranked No. 1 on the 2017 100 Best Corporate Citizens list by CR Magazine, and has been named one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies® by Ethisphere Institute for the past seven years. Learn more at www.hasbro.com, and follow us on Twitter (@Hasbro & @HasbroNews) and Instagram (@Hasbro).
© 2018 Hasbro, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
About Saban’s Power Rangers
Saban’s Power Rangers franchise is the brainchild of Haim Saban, creator and producer of the original, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers hit series that launched in 1993. Following its introduction, “Power Rangers” quickly became the most-watched television program in the United States and remains one of the top-rated and longest running kids live-action series in television history. The series, currently in its 25thseason, follows the adventures of a group of ordinary teens who morph into superheroes and save the world from evil. It is seen in more than 150 markets, translated into numerous languages and a favorite on many key international children’s programming blocks around the world. For more information, visit www.powerrangers.com.
About Saban Brands
Formed in 2010 as an affiliate of Saban Capital Group, Saban Brands acquires, develops and manages a world-class portfolio of entertainment properties. Saban Brands applies a global 360-degree management approach to growing and monetizing its brands through content, digital, marketing, distribution, licensing and retail in markets worldwide. Saban Brands’ growing entertainment portfolio of brands includes Power Rangers, Treehouse Detectives, Julius Jr., Popples, Glitter Force, and Cirque du Soleil Junior – Luna Petunia, amongst many others. Saban Brands is headquartered in Los Angeles with a global network of offices. For more information, visit www.sabanbrands.com.
Certain statements in this release contain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements include expectations concerning Hasbro’s potential performance in the future, its ability to achieve its financial and business goals and the expected timing for closing this transaction and may be identified by the use of forward-looking words or phrases. Hasbro's actual actions or results may differ materially from those expected or anticipated in the forward-looking statements due to both known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Specific factors that might cause such a difference include, but are not limited to: (i) the company’s ability to successfully develop and commercialize the brands it is acquiring, (ii) the ability to receive required regulatory approvals in a timely manner, and (iii) other risks and uncertainties as may be detailed from time to time in the Company's public announcements and Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) filings. Hasbro undertakes no obligation to make any revisions to the forward-looking statements contained in this release or to update them to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this release.
Credit(s): Hasbro
Got Transformers News? Let us know here!
Most Popular Transformers News
Most Recent Transformers News
Posted by Quantum Surge on May 1st, 2018 @ 9:37pm CDT

But Beast Morphers need to be improvements from the Neo Saban era. Take notes from the post-Zordon era and the Disney era on how to handle character development as well as not using the MMPR theme for new seasons.
Posted by steve2275 on May 1st, 2018 @ 9:38pm CDT
Posted by Burn on May 1st, 2018 @ 9:40pm CDT
I guess we'll have to wait and see what happens, but one thing I don't want is another fucking crossover. I've yet to enjoy any story that involves Transformers with another franchise.
(Unrelated I know) And keep IDW away from the comics, Boom! is doing a fantastic job.
Posted by Randomhero on May 1st, 2018 @ 9:55pm CDT
Quantum Surge wrote:IDW and Boom can make crossovers, Movie TF and PR verses can make crossovers, Hasbro can tackle animated PR shows (hopefully with new concepts rather than adapting Sentai seasons in animation) to go with TF shows; pretty much everyone gets a crossover! Gonna be cool to see how everything turns out!![]()
But Beast Morphers need to be improvements from the Neo Saban era. Take notes from the post-Zordon era and the Disney era on how to handle character development as well as not using the MMPR theme for new seasons.
Yeah that’s not how that works. Boom has a licensing contract just like IDW does. Just becuase Hasbro buys the powers rangers IP for toys doesn’t instantly mean IDW gets to make comics.
If they are wanted to maybe but that just depends if they want to.
Posted by Rated X on May 1st, 2018 @ 10:04pm CDT
Posted by Lucky Logician on May 1st, 2018 @ 10:08pm CDT
Rated X wrote:Ewww...power rangers. The biggest Voltron rip off in history.
For the record, Super Sentai (Himitsu Sentai Gorenger) premiered in 1975. Beast King Go Lion didn't come around until 1981.
Posted by william-james88 on May 1st, 2018 @ 10:21pm CDT
Burn wrote:ehhhhhh I'm not sure if this is good or not. I'm by far no major fan of Power Rangers (follow it here and there) but I would understand if PR fans don't like this.
I am a PR fan and this sounds amazing. Lately, the toys have been vey similar to the RID Combiner Force combiners, and that is the main line. Hasbro has proven they can make far better combiner toys so I very much look forward to this.
Posted by TulioDude on May 1st, 2018 @ 11:22pm CDT
Hopefully this also leads more funding to a movie sequel.
Lucky Logician wrote:Rated X wrote:Ewww...power rangers. The biggest Voltron rip off in history.
For the record, Super Sentai (Himitsu Sentai Gorenger) premiered in 1975. Beast King Go Lion didn't come around until 1981.
This.
Posted by fenrir72 on May 1st, 2018 @ 11:48pm CDT
Posted by fenrir72 on May 1st, 2018 @ 11:52pm CDT
Rated X wrote:Ewww...power rangers. The biggest Voltron rip off in history.
To my fellow critical fan, technically speaking, sentai/power rangers are a rip off (inspired from) of Gatchaman aka Battle of the Planets.5 man team with a token huntress/kid/strongman/fatguy though recently (mid 80s) had two instead on one females.
Their storylines were waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay better than the Saban edited versions. Heck, sometime too serious/mature for a show intended to sell toys.
Posted by bacem on May 1st, 2018 @ 11:59pm CDT
sorry, that is the first thing popped on my mind...
Posted by Emerje on May 2nd, 2018 @ 12:07am CDT
Lucky Logician wrote:Rated X wrote:Ewww...power rangers. The biggest Voltron rip off in history.
For the record, Super Sentai (Himitsu Sentai Gorenger) premiered in 1975. Beast King Go Lion didn't come around until 1981.
On the mecha side Super Sentai wouldn't introduce combining robots until 1981 themselves with Taiyo Sentai Sun Vulcan.

Emerje
Posted by Mechastrike on May 2nd, 2018 @ 12:20am CDT
Posted by Burn on May 2nd, 2018 @ 12:55am CDT
Mechastrike wrote:i thought Bandai owns Power Rangers/Super Sentai. how did Hasbro acquire the brand?
Saban Brands owned the Power Rangers, Hasbro acquired it from them. Bandai simply had the license to make the toys, but they'd already lost that to Hasbro in February.
Posted by ShinkenPrime on May 2nd, 2018 @ 1:16am CDT
Bonus points if they can actually get the Japanese toys sold here again.
Posted by Deadput on May 2nd, 2018 @ 1:31am CDT
Posted by ZeroWolf on May 2nd, 2018 @ 3:21am CDT
Posted by Mechastrike on May 2nd, 2018 @ 4:54am CDT
Burn wrote:Mechastrike wrote:i thought Bandai owns Power Rangers/Super Sentai. how did Hasbro acquire the brand?
Saban Brands owned the Power Rangers, Hasbro acquired it from them. Bandai simply had the license to make the toys, but they'd already lost that to Hasbro in February.
last February? i didn't know that.
Posted by Zordon on May 2nd, 2018 @ 5:11am CDT
Posted by Aimless Misfire on May 2nd, 2018 @ 5:22am CDT