In 2006, the Toronto-based Decode Entertainment and Halifax-based Halifax Film Company merged so that the newly merged company would be named the Decode-Halifax Film Company. The newly public company known as DHX Media, began trading in 2006, because the name, "DHX", is an acronym for the combination of the names Decode and Halifax.[7][8]
A reverse merger deal with Entertainment One was considered in 2008, but was dropped.[9] On March 25, 2008, DHX Media acquired Bulldog Interactive Fitness.[10] On September 8, 2010, all related subsidiaries and divisions were rebranded under the label DHX Media.[11] On September 14, 2010, DHX Media acquired the original WildBrain Entertainment.[12]
On August 20, 2012, it was announced that DHX Media would acquire Cookie Jar Group for CA $111 million, a deal which would make DHX the world's largest independent owner of children's television programming.[13][14] The acquisition was completed on October 22, 2012.[6]
In May 2013, DHX introduced three premium, subscription-based channels on YouTube; DHX Junior, DHX Kids, and DHX Retro. DHX's then executive chairman Michael Hirsh stated that the offerings were meant to leverage the company's library and the growth of digital distribution in the children's television market. DHX was among the first 30 content partners for YouTube's premium channel platform.[15][16]
On September 16, 2013, DHX acquired Ragdoll Worldwide—a joint venture between British production company Ragdoll Productions, BBC Worldwide and an investment group that managed and licensed Ragdoll Productions' properties (such as Teletubbies) outside the United Kingdom.[17]
Expansion into broadcasting, subsequent partnerships
On November 28, 2013, DHX announced that it would acquire four children's specialty television channels from the former Astral Media for CA$170 million, consisting of Family Channel, Disney Junior (English), Disney Junior (French), and Disney XD. The networks were being sold as a condition of Bell Media's 2013 acquisition of the remainder of Astral Media's assets; its purchase of the networks marked DHX's first foray into television broadcasting.[18][19] The deal was approved by the CRTC on July 24, 2014, and closed on July 31, 2014.[20] The channels were incorporated into a new unit, DHX Television.[21]
In early 2014, DHX Media acquired Epitome Pictures, the producers of Degrassi, but Epitome did not own international distribution .
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