At the last week, I totally didn't check for TMNT's news because I think this time may didn't any new news came out.
But just for yesterday, when I checked its news, I saw an article that really make me shocked:
The Mirage Group Sells Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles(TM) to Nickelodeon
The sale of the Turtles property, which has achieved popularity across theworld, comes in its 25th anniversary year, with the Teenage Mutant NinjaTurtles having made their debut in an eponymous comic by TMNT co-creatorsKevin Eastman and Peter Laird in May 1984. In the quarter century that followed, the Turtles brand embraced nearly every medium and product form: four of the most successful independent theatrical motion pictures of alltime, over 350 half-hours of TV programming, top 10 all-time sales status forworldwide sales of toy action figures, and over 600 worldwide merchandise licenses.
"This is a great deal for all parties," said Alfred R. Kahn, Chairman and CEOof 4Kids Entertainment, Inc. "We congratulate our partners at Mirage on the sale of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles to Nickelodeon and on their gracious recognition of the contribution made by 4Kids to re-launch the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise in 2002 for a new generation of kids around the world. We also congratulate Nickelodeon on acquiring the rights to an outstanding boys' property."
"From 4Kids' perspective, we received a $9.75 million capital injection at the Closing and a share of Turtles royalties through June 30, 2010," added Kahn." 4Kids will also continue to air the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles television episodes that it co-produced with Mirage in 'The CW4Kids' block on the CWNetwork through the end of the 2009-2010 broadcast season."
4Kids, Mirage and Viacom will work together so that Turtles broadcast andmerchandise licensees can be assured of a seamless transition which isexpected to be completed by the end of the second quarter of 2010.
I just feel all things happened such suddenly and unexpectedly! Peter Laird, the author of TMNT, created first comic of TMNT in May 1984 and established Mirage Studios as the TMNT rights holder in the same year. Since that time, TMNT has created many legends in pop culture until today.
Just for this year, TMNT celebrate its 25th Anniversary, and at 23th April 2009, Mirage Studios announced a big news to worldwide that they will produce the fifth TMNT film and targeted release in 2011. This news make many TMNT fans happy. In 13th July 2009, an audition of open casting to star as foot clans done in Los Angles. While everybody is waiting for the preparation complete and start to film, everybody never expected that Mirage Studios sold the rights to other company at this time. I have seen a company sold itself to other company, but never seen a company sold its brand, especially iconic brand to other company. 
I think sold to Nickelodeon not must be a bad thing, because I found that TMNT didn't have any development in popularity since came into 21st century. Maybe the popularity of TMNT will rise up after joining Nickelodeon because Nickelodeon is a famous and success company. They has produced many classical, famous, success and unforgetfulable TV animation series. The most well-known are "Spongebob Squarepants" and "Avatar: The Last Airbender". 
But just for yesterday, when I checked its news, I saw an article that really make me shocked:
The Mirage Group Sells Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles(TM) to Nickelodeon
NEW YORK, Oct. 21 /PRNewswire/ -- As previously announced, The Mirage Group, owners of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles(TM) property, have sold the iconicbrand to Nickelodeon - part of MTV Networks, a division of Viacom Inc. (NYSE:VIA, VIA.B). 4Kids Entertainment (NYSE: KDE) has received a payment of approximately $9.75 million at the Closing in consideration of its agreementto terminate its right to serve as the merchandise licensing agent prior to the scheduled expiration of the representation agreement in 2012. 4Kids may also receive an additional $1 million upon expiration of the escrow relatingto the transaction.
The sale of the Turtles property, which has achieved popularity across theworld, comes in its 25th anniversary year, with the Teenage Mutant NinjaTurtles having made their debut in an eponymous comic by TMNT co-creatorsKevin Eastman and Peter Laird in May 1984. In the quarter century that followed, the Turtles brand embraced nearly every medium and product form: four of the most successful independent theatrical motion pictures of alltime, over 350 half-hours of TV programming, top 10 all-time sales status forworldwide sales of toy action figures, and over 600 worldwide merchandise licenses.
"This is a great deal for all parties," said Alfred R. Kahn, Chairman and CEOof 4Kids Entertainment, Inc. "We congratulate our partners at Mirage on the sale of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles to Nickelodeon and on their gracious recognition of the contribution made by 4Kids to re-launch the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise in 2002 for a new generation of kids around the world. We also congratulate Nickelodeon on acquiring the rights to an outstanding boys' property."
"From 4Kids' perspective, we received a $9.75 million capital injection at the Closing and a share of Turtles royalties through June 30, 2010," added Kahn." 4Kids will also continue to air the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles television episodes that it co-produced with Mirage in 'The CW4Kids' block on the CWNetwork through the end of the 2009-2010 broadcast season."
4Kids, Mirage and Viacom will work together so that Turtles broadcast andmerchandise licensees can be assured of a seamless transition which isexpected to be completed by the end of the second quarter of 2010.
As you see, Mirage Studios, the former of TMNT, has sold all the rights of its iconic brand to Nickelodeon. This news is already one week, I just knew this news yesterday. This is truthly such a big news!
I just feel all things happened such suddenly and unexpectedly! Peter Laird, the author of TMNT, created first comic of TMNT in May 1984 and established Mirage Studios as the TMNT rights holder in the same year. Since that time, TMNT has created many legends in pop culture until today.
Just for this year, TMNT celebrate its 25th Anniversary, and at 23th April 2009, Mirage Studios announced a big news to worldwide that they will produce the fifth TMNT film and targeted release in 2011. This news make many TMNT fans happy. In 13th July 2009, an audition of open casting to star as foot clans done in Los Angles. While everybody is waiting for the preparation complete and start to film, everybody never expected that Mirage Studios sold the rights to other company at this time. I have seen a company sold itself to other company, but never seen a company sold its brand, especially iconic brand to other company.
For me, I didn't have any objection for this sale. I know the feeling of Peter Laird now, he must be very bother now. He has been doing for the creation of TMNT comics for over 20 years, I know he must be feel very tired now; he want to retired for another new life for his twilight years, so he sold all the rights of TMNT to Nickelodeon.
I think sold to Nickelodeon not must be a bad thing, because I found that TMNT didn't have any development in popularity since came into 21st century. Maybe the popularity of TMNT will rise up after joining Nickelodeon because Nickelodeon is a famous and success company. They has produced many classical, famous, success and unforgetfulable TV animation series. The most well-known are "Spongebob Squarepants" and "Avatar: The Last Airbender".
I protest somebody said that all the programmes of Nickelodeon are kiddy. This is just for majority, but not for "Avatar". I believe the new TMNT animation series will as mature and serious as "Avatar" (or more serious). Addition to that, the movie version of "Avatar" - "The Last Airbender" (a live-action movie) will be release in July 2010 due to the success of TV series. This will be one of the Hollywood mega movie release in summer 2010.
I am full of confidence that TMNT will develop rapidly under the "caring" of Nickelodeon and Paramount. I bless for the TMNT for having a wonderful life in the future.
P/S: I still have a question, after this sale, did TMNT 2011 still available?
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