9 Story Media Group

What 9 Story Media Group does

9 Story Media Group is a privately-held creator, producer, and distributor of award-winning animated and live-action content for children, founded in 2002 by Vince Commisso and operating since 2023 as part of Scholastic Corporation's portfolio. The company employs 500-600 staff across four offices in Toronto, New York, Dublin, and Bali, and is organized into four divisions: Development (in-house creative strategy and original IP), Studios (Brown Bag Films, founded 1994, producing 2D and 3D animation across Dublin, Toronto, and Bali), Distribution International (multilingual global sales of 5,000+ half-hours of content), and Brands (consumer products and licensing). Its content reaches 180+ countries through direct relationships with major broadcasters and streamers including PBS KIDS, Disney Channel, Netflix, Amazon, Hulu, Sky Kids, CBeebies, Cartoon Network, and Nickelodeon.

The underlying production capability is anchored by Brown Bag Films' multi-location 2D/3D animation pipeline, supplemented by BBF Labs, a division dedicated to next-generation production workflows and artist-first tools. Distribution operates through a multilingual sales team in Dublin and Toronto, plus a digital division managing 130 brands across 17 languages on YouTube (100+ channels), Tubi, Roku, Peacock, and other FAST channels. The company maintains a published global AI Governance Framework and uses AI as an operational productivity tool for animation clean-up, lip sync, and predictive scheduling, while explicitly keeping AI-generated on-screen content under human artistic control.

Revenue is generated through three primary streams: content licensing and royalties on the owned library and third-party distribution titles, animation production services for co-productions, and consumer products licensing (toys, publishing, home entertainment) on managed brands such as Clifford the Big Red Dog and The Magic School Bus. Flagship IPs include Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood (180+ countries), Wild Kratts, Blue's Clues & You!, and the upcoming Clifford the Big Red Dog reimagined series (PBS KIDS, CBC, Sky Kids, 2027). Recent pipeline additions span CG animation (Dragon Girls), live-action game show (I Spy), and live-action (The School for Wicked Witches) per the Mipcom 2025 slate, alongside a TheaterWorksUSA Clifford musical adaptation.

Name

9 Story Media Group

Legal name

9 Story Media Group Inc.

Website

https://9story.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

9 Story Media Group is a privately-held creator, producer, and distributor of children's animated and live-action content, operating through Studios (Brown Bag Films), Distribution International, and Brands divisions to license 5,000+ half-hours of content to global broadcasters and streamers serving kids and family audiences.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Children's Entertainment Content

NAICS

Motion Picture and Video Industries (5121), Motion Picture and Sound Recording Industries (512)

SIC

Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Production (7812), Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Distribution (7822), Services-Allied To Motion Picture Distribution (7829)

akta.pro primary industry

Live-Action Kids & Family Production (MPADABAF)

Keywords

• Children's content production
• Animated television distribution
• Kids media licensing
• Preschool animation studio
• Consumer products licensing

Headquarters

HQ city

Toronto

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Digital Commerce or Content

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Content Distribution: International distribution of animated and live action programming to major broadcasters and digital platforms worldwide, representing over 5000 half-hours of content
2. Consumer Products / Brands: Consumer products division building global kids brands through licensing, toy partnerships, publishing, and home entertainment
3. Production Services: Animation production services through Brown Bag Films studio for original series and co-productions with international partners
4. Digital Content: Digital content strategy, channel management, and AVOD/FAST distribution managing 130 brands across 17 languages

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

9 Story Media Group is a creator, producer, and distributor of award-winning animated and live-action content for young audiences worldwide. The company develops original IP, produces animation through its Brown Bag Films studio, distributes 5,000+ half-hours of content to global broadcasters and streaming platforms, and manages consumer products licensing for established children's brands.

Product overview

9 Story Media Group is a leading creator, producer, and distributor of children's animated and live-action content operating as a multi-divisional media company. The organization comprises four main divisions: Development (creative strategy and original IP development), Studios/Brown Bag Films (award-winning animation production in Dublin, Toronto, and Bali), Distribution International (global sales of 5,000+ half-hours of content), and Brands (consumer products and licensing). Key brands include Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood, Wild Kratts, Blue's Clues & You!, Clifford the Big Red Dog, and Xavier Riddle. The company produces original series like Do Not Watch This Show, Paris & Pups, Let's Go Bananas!, and Dee & Friends in Oz, while also managing licensed properties including The Magic School Bus and Colorforms. Now part of the Scholastic portfolio, the company employs over 500 staff across Toronto, New York, Dublin, and Bali.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Brown Bag Films: Award-winning animation studio known for producing high-quality cross-platform animation including Doc McStuffins, Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood, Octonauts, Wild Kratts, and Blue's Clues & You!
• BBF Labs

Products and services

• Brown Bag Films Animation Studio Brown Bag Films is an award-winning animation studio creating high-quality 2D and 3D cross-platform animation for international markets. With studios in Dublin, Toronto, and Bali, it produces original series and co-productions for the global children's content market.
• 9 Story Distribution International International distribution arm representing over 5,000 half-hours of animated and live-action programming. Global sales team located in Dublin and Toronto serves major broadcasters and digital platforms worldwide.
• 9 Story Brands Consumer products division building global entertainment brands with expertise across creative, brand marketing, and licensing. Manages international brand strategies and licensee partnerships for established children's IP.
• Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood Animated preschool series featuring Daniel, a 4-year-old tiger, teaching key skills for school and life. Currently in Season 7 and sold to over 180 countries through worldwide distribution.
• Wild Kratts Live-action/animation hybrid series teaching kids about animals and wildlife through the Kratt brothers' adventures. Distributed globally as part of 9 Story's content library.
• Blue's Clues & You! Live-action/animation hybrid series revival of the classic Blue's Clues franchise, hosted by Josh Dela Cruz. Available globally through distribution and licensing.
• Do Not Watch This Show 2D animated comedy series starring Wizz, a pompous blue monster who tries to sabotage his own show. Based on Andy Lee's bestselling book series. Distributed globally, including CBeebies in the UK.
• Paris & Pups 3D animated series following Paris Star and her five fabulous pups at The Fabuluxe Hotel. Inspired by Paris Hilton and her real-life pets. Joint production with 11:11 Media and HappyNest Entertainment.
• Let's Go, Bananas! 2D animated comedy series featuring three animal families sharing lives, loves, and adventures. Created by Tim Bain with 52 x 11 mins episodes. Award-winning for LGBTQ+ representation.
• Dee & Friends in Oz Musical preschool series where Dee is transported to Oz by a mysterious key. Includes 1 x 44 min prequel plus 16 x 22 min episodes. Available globally on Netflix.
• Clifford the Big Red Dog (Reimagined Animated Series) Reimagined animated series based on Norman Bridwell's beloved book series (135+ million books in print). Animated by Brown Bag Films. Commissioned by PBS KIDS, CBC, and Sky Kids.
• Super Why's Comic Book Adventures Animated series building on the legacy of Super Why! Supports early literacy through comic book-inspired 7-minute stories. Debuting on PBS KIDS in October 2026.
• Goosebumps: The Vanishing Live-action series for tweens/teens based on R.L. Stine's books. Produced by Sony Pictures Television for Disney+. Received 11 Emmy nominations in 2025.
• Eva the Owlet Animated series based on Rebecca Elliott's Owl Diaries books. Streaming on Apple TV+. Produced with animation by Brown Bag Films. Received 2 Emmy nominations in 2025.

Quantifiable outcome

• 22 Children's & Family Emmy nominations in 2025
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability4 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and minor.

• CBeebiesmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 27 July 2025UK broadcaster acquired Do Not Watch This Show for premiere in July 2026. CBeebies acquired first two seasons (32 x 11 min) of the hit animated comedy series.
• Sky KidsmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 7 July 2025UK and Ireland broadcaster acquired Paris & Pups for 2026 programming lineup. Series joins Sky Kids' content slate targeting young viewers and families.
• Brown Bag FilmscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBrown Bag Films is the award-winning animation studio of 9 Story Media Group, with locations in Dublin, Toronto, and Bali. Founded in 1994 by Cathal Gaffney and Darragh O'Connell, the studio produces cutting-edge animation for international markets including Doc McStuffins, Octonauts, Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood, and Blue's Clues & You.
• Scholastic EntertainmentcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner9 Story Media Group is now part of Scholastic's portfolio, working closely with Scholastic Entertainment for content development and distribution. Partners on major franchises including Clifford the Big Red Dog, Magic School Bus, and new Dragon Girls series.
• Fred Rogers ProductionscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-production partner for Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood and other properties. Fred Rogers Productions produces content with 9 Story handling animation through Brown Bag Films and worldwide distribution and licensing rights.
• PBS KIDScoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPrimary broadcast partner for Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood, Super Why's Comic Book Adventures, and upcoming Clifford the Big Red Dog reimagined series. PBS KIDS is the primary U.S. broadcaster for 9 Story content.
• NetflixcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorStreaming partner for Dee & Friends in Oz globally. Content also available on Netflix platforms for international audiences.
• DisneycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution through Disney Channel, Disney+, and related platforms. Partner on Goosebumps: The Vanishing (Disney Branded Television) and other content.
• ABC (Australia)majorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOriginal Australian broadcaster for Do Not Watch This Show, where the series achieved record-breaking viewership with 1 million average viewers in first two weeks.
• 11:11 MediamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerParis Hilton's media company partnering on Paris & Pups animated series inspired by Paris Hilton and her real-life pets. Series developed with HappyNest Entertainment and 9 Story.
• HappyNest EntertainmentmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProduction partner on Paris & Pups along with 11:11 Media and 9 Story Media Group.
• Apple TV+majorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorStreaming partner for Eva the Owlet animated series and other content. Series produced by Scholastic Entertainment with animation by Brown Bag Films.
• TheaterWorksUSAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTheater company optioned rights to Clifford the Big Red Dog for musical adaptation. Preview tour scheduled May 2026 with school-time performances at Kupferberg Center for the Arts.
• JAKKS PacificmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMaster toy licensee for Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood consumer products program.
• Simon & SchustermajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPublishing partner for Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood content.
• Playmates ToysmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMulti-year global licensing deal for Paris & Pups toy products in partnership with 11:11 Media and HappyNest Entertainment.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• WildBrain: WildBrain is a Canadian-based kids' content producer and distributor (formerly DHX Media) with a comparable library of 13,000+ half-hours and major partnerships with Apple TV+, Peacock, and Netflix. Like 9 Story, it combines distribution, production, and consumer products/licensing around established children's IP (Peanuts, Teletubbies, Strawberry Shortcake).
• Nelvana (Corus Entertainment): Nelvana is a leading Canadian-based children's content producer and distributor owned by Corus Entertainment, with a deep content library and global broadcast relationships. Direct overlap with 9 Story in preschool animation development, co-productions, and international distribution to broadcasters and platforms.
• Entertainment One (Hasbro): eOne (now part of Hasbro) was the home of Peppa Pig and PJ Masks, making it a direct peer in kids' IP ownership, distribution, and consumer products licensing. The Hasbro integration represents a similar strategic model to 9 Story's Scholastic partnership: leveraging toy/character IP into screen content across global platforms.
• Aardman Animations: Aardman is a UK-based independent animation studio comparable to Brown Bag Films, known for award-winning stop-motion and CGI. Direct creative overlap, and 9 Story's SVP Alix Wiseman previously ran Aardman's distribution division, evidencing direct competitive and talent-market overlap.
• Cyber Group Studios: Cyber Group Studios is a France-based independent kids' animation producer and distributor, with international co-productions and a content library distributed globally. Comparable in scale, business model, and target audience as an independent kids' content specialist competing for the same broadcast commissions.
• Boat Rocker Media: Boat Rocker is a Toronto-based independent entertainment company spanning kids' and family content, scripted, and unscripted production, with distribution rights to a sizable content library. Direct peer in the Canadian independent content production and distribution space serving similar broadcaster customers.

Broad incumbents

• Hasbro Entertainment: Hasbro is a major toy and entertainment conglomerate with growing kids' content production (Transformers, My Little Pony, Play-Doh) following its eOne acquisition. Comparable in the consumer products-to-content model and as a buyer of animation services.
• Mattel: Mattel is a global toy and family entertainment company building content franchises around Barbie, Hot Wheels, and Thomas & Friends. Comparable to 9 Story in the IP-to-content-to-consumer products value chain, though materially larger and more diversified.
• Lionsgate: Lionsgate distributes Lionsgate Films and recently expanded kids' and family content via Starz and partnerships. While much larger and broader, it is a comparable buyer and co-producer in the kids' animated space, particularly through its portfolio of family-oriented franchises.

Emerging players

• Guru Studio: Guru Studio is a Toronto-based independent animation studio known for True and the Rainbow Kingdom, Pikwik Pack, and Justin Time. Comparable to Brown Bag Films as a Canadian animation production peer, with emerging IP and platform distribution.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/140126
• Xx.com/9StoryMG
• Facebookfacebook.com/9StoryMediaGroup

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A3 records

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about 9 Story Media Group