Warner Bros. buys a ten per cent stake in SCi

via MCV

Media giant Warner Bros. has bought a ten per cent stake in SCi thanks to a newly-announced deal worth £44.5 million – and the UK publisher has scooped eleven high profile licences in the process.

The new deal means that SCi has claimed the rights to high profile IP including several Looney Tunes and Hanna-Barbera properties.

It also gives SCi a foothold in the US with a primary distribution agreement that means the Tomb Raider publisher can take advantage of Warner Bros' huge logistics operation.

SCi chief executive Jane Cavanagh said of the deal: “These agreements represent a further step in SCi’s development as one of the world’s leading publishers of interactive entertainment.”

“The licensed properties will extend and strengthen our product portfolio through globally recognised titles such as Batman, Looney Tunes, Bugs Bunny and the classic Hanna-Barbera catalogue including brands such as Tom and Jerry. The properties also include content with a broad demographic appeal.”

“Significantly, the partnership with Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group in the United States links us to the distribution network and buying power of one of the world’s largest media companies.”

“The share subscription will provide SCi with the firepower to accelerate growth initiatives such as increasing our development capacity and our new media and online strategies,” she added.