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Sony Group (NYSE: SONY) takes 80% control of Peanuts and logs ¥45B gain

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Form Type
6-K

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Sony Group Corporation reports that its subsidiaries Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) and Sony Pictures Entertainment have completed the acquisition of approximately 41% of the equity in Peanuts Holdings LLC from WildBrain Ltd. for about 630 million Canadian dollars (around 460 million U.S. dollars).

Including Sony Music Entertainment (Japan)’s existing roughly 39% stake, the Sony group now indirectly owns 80% of Peanuts, which becomes a consolidated subsidiary of Sony. Sony expects to record an operating-income remeasurement gain of about 45 billion yen in the fourth quarter of the fiscal year ending March 31, 2026, a figure already included in its current full-year forecast.

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Insights

Sony gains control of Peanuts IP and books a sizable one-off gain.

Sony has raised its indirect ownership in Peanuts Holdings LLC to 80% by purchasing about 41% from WildBrain for roughly 630 million Canadian dollars. This shifts Peanuts from an equity stake to a fully consolidated subsidiary within the group.

The company also expects an operating-income remeasurement gain of about 45 billion yen in Q4 of the fiscal year ending March 31, 2026, based on fair value of its prior 39% interest. That gain is already reflected in Sony’s existing full-year forecast.

Future filings for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2026 will show how consolidation of Peanuts affects reported revenue, operating income mix, and segment disclosures, especially within Sony’s music and pictures-related businesses.

 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D. C. 20549

 

FORM 6-K

 

REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER

 

Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 of

the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

For the month of March 2026

Commission File Number: 001-06439

 

SONY GROUP CORPORATION

(Translation of registrant’s name into English)

 

1-7-1 KONAN, MINATO-KU, TOKYO, 108-0075, JAPAN

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

The registrant files annual reports under cover of Form 20-F.

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F,

 

Form 20-F x  Form 40-F ¨

 

SIGNATURE

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

 

SONY GROUP CORPORATION

(Registrant)

     
  By: /s/ Lin Tao
      (Signature)
  Lin Tao
  Chief Financial Officer

 

Date: March 3, 2026

 

List of Materials

 

Documents attached hereto:

 

Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) and Sony Pictures Entertainment Announce the Completion of the Acquisition of Additional Equity Interest in Peanuts Holdings LLC

 

 

 

 

March 3, 2026

Sony Group Corporation

 

Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) and Sony Pictures Entertainment

Announce the Completion of the Acquisition of Additional Equity Interest

in Peanuts Holdings LLC

 

Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) Inc. (“SMEJ”) and Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc. (“SPE”), wholly-owned subsidiaries of Sony Group Corporation (“Sony”), today announced that they have indirectly acquired all of the approximately 41% equity interest indirectly held by WildBrain Ltd., a publicly listed Canadian company, in Peanuts Holdings LLC (“Peanuts”), according to the executed definitive agreement previously announced on December 19, 2025. The total purchase price of this acquisition is approximately 630 million Canadian dollars (approximately 460 million U.S. dollars*), subject to customary working capital and other adjustments. As a result of this transaction, together with SMEJ’s previously existing approximately 39% equity interest, SMEJ and SPE now indirectly own an 80% equity interest in Peanuts, and Peanuts has become a consolidated subsidiary of Sony. For details, please refer to the attached press release.

 

In connection with the completion of this transaction, Sony expects to record a remeasurement gain as operating income in the fourth quarter of the fiscal year ending March 31, 2026, based on the fair value of SMEJ’s previously existing approximately 39% equity interest in Peanuts. Although Sony has included the estimated amount of such gain, approximately 45 billion yen, in its consolidated financial results forecast for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2026, which was announced on February 5, 2026, Sony continues to evaluate the final amount.

 

* Reference figures calculated based on a rate of 1 Canadian dollar = 0.73 U.S. dollars.

 

 

 

 

 

To all members of the press,

March 3, 2026

Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) Inc.

Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc.

 

Completion of Acquisition of Stake in Peanuts Holdings LLC

 

Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) Inc. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President and Group CEO: Shunsuke Muramatsu; “SMEJ”) and Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc. (Headquarters: California, U.S.A.; President & CEO: Ravi Ahuja; “SPE”) today announced that the two companies have completed the acquisition of an equity interest in Peanuts Holdings LLC from WildBrain Ltd. (formerly DHX Media Ltd.; Headquarters: Ontario, Canada; President & CEO: Josh Scherba; “WildBrain”), following the signing of definitive agreement for the acquisition of a stake in Peanuts Holdings LLC, announced on December 19, 2025.

 

 

By acquiring approximately 41% of the equity interest in Peanuts Holdings LLC previously held by WildBrain, SMEJ and SPE now collectively hold a combined 80% interest in Peanuts Holdings LLC. As a result of this transaction, Peanuts Holdings LLC will become a consolidated subsidiary of SMEJ.

 

In close collaboration with the family of “PEANUTS” creator Charles M. Schulz, who retain their 20% ownerships stake in the “PEANUTS” IP, SMEJ and SPE will carry forward the esteemed legacy of this globally renowned evergreen IP, and pursue the expansion of the business from a long-term perspective by leveraging the strengths of the Sony Group. The ownership of rights to the “PEANUTS” brand and the management of its business will continue to be handled by Peanuts Worldwide LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Peanuts Holdings LLC.

 

Related Press Releases: Signing of Definitive Agreement for the Acquisition of a Stake in Peanuts Holdings LLC (December 19, 2025)

https://www.sme.co.jp/en/pressrelease/news/detail/NEWS001927.html

 

Usage of Visuals in Publication

Please include the following credit / copyright in publications using the included visuals.

©Peanuts Worldwide LLC

 

 

 

FAQ

What transaction involving Peanuts Holdings LLC did Sony (SONY) complete?

Sony completed the purchase of approximately 41% of Peanuts Holdings LLC from WildBrain Ltd. This deal was executed through Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) and Sony Pictures Entertainment, both wholly owned subsidiaries, giving the Sony group effective control of the Peanuts business.

How much did Sony (SONY) pay for the additional Peanuts equity stake?

Sony’s subsidiaries agreed to a total purchase price of about 630 million Canadian dollars for the additional 41% stake. This is approximately 460 million U.S. dollars, based on a reference exchange rate of 1 Canadian dollar equaling 0.73 U.S. dollars disclosed in the announcement.

What is Sony’s (SONY) total ownership in Peanuts Holdings LLC after the deal?

After acquiring WildBrain’s roughly 41% interest, Sony’s group companies now indirectly hold about 80% of Peanuts Holdings LLC. This reflects the newly acquired stake plus Sony Music Entertainment (Japan)’s previously existing approximate 39% equity interest in the Peanuts business.

How will the Peanuts acquisition affect Sony’s (SONY) financial results?

Sony expects to record a remeasurement gain of about 45 billion yen as operating income in Q4 of the fiscal year ending March 31, 2026. This gain reflects fair value remeasurement of its prior 39% Peanuts stake and is already included in its current fiscal-year forecast.

Will Peanuts Holdings LLC be consolidated into Sony’s (SONY) financial statements?

Yes. Following the acquisition, Peanuts Holdings LLC becomes a consolidated subsidiary within the Sony group. This means Sony will fully consolidate Peanuts’ financial results, rather than treating it merely as an equity-method investment held alongside other partners in the ownership structure.

Who retains the remaining ownership in the Peanuts intellectual property alongside Sony (SONY)?

The family of “PEANUTS” creator Charles M. Schulz retains a 20% ownership stake in the Peanuts intellectual property. Sony’s subsidiaries will work closely with the Schulz family to manage and grow the globally recognized PEANUTS brand through Peanuts Holdings LLC and Peanuts Worldwide LLC.
Sony Group Corporation

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