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By Jack Guy, CNN Business
Netflix said to have acquired the rights of at Roald Dahl stories and plans to create a “unique universe” of products based on them.
The streaming giant said on Wednesday it had acquired the Roald Dahl Story Company (RDSC), which manages the rights to works by the late British author.
Netflix said in a press release that the two companies “are joining forces to bring some of the world’s most beloved stories to current and future fans in creative and innovative ways.”
The deal comes three years after Netflix and RDSC worked together on a number of animated television series, including one based on “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” and an adaptation of “Matilda The Musical.”
“These projects opened our eyes to a much more ambitious endeavor – the creation of a unique universe through animated and live action films and television, publishing, games, immersive experiences, live theater, consumer products and more, ”added Netflix.
Dahl, who died in 1990 at the age of 76, was the creator of characters such as Matilda, the BFG, Fantastic Mr. Fox, Willy Wonka and the Twits. His books have sold over 300 million copies and have been translated into 63 languages, according to the Netflix statement.
His most ardent fans celebrate his life with Roald Dahl Day every September 13.
The fantastic stories have lent themselves to multiple film adaptations. “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” alone has spawned four films, including a 2017 “Tom and Jerry” animated movie and a prequel named “Wonka,” slated for release by Warner Bros. in 2023. (Warner Bros., like CNN, is a unit of WarnerMedia.)
“As we present these timeless tales to more audiences in new formats, we are committed to maintaining their unique spirit and universal themes of surprise and cuteness, while sprinkling new magic into the mix,” said said Netflix.
Netflix saw a big increase in business during the pandemic as people stayed at home. But the company showed slow growth in subscriber numbers when it released its second quarter results in July.
The streaming service said it has 209 million subscribers globally after adding just over one million subscribers in the second quarter of this year. Netflix’s second-quarter profit was $ 1.3 billion, with revenue up 19% to $ 7.3 billion.
The-CNN-Wire
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Frank Pallotta of CNN Business contributed to this story.
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