Splash Entertainment, LLC. (formerly known as Mike Young Productions, Inc. and MoonScoop Entertainment, LLC.) is an American animation studio founded in 1990 by Mike Young, Liz Young and Bill Schultz that produces children's TV series. Splash also controls the streaming service Kabillion.[1]
The company launched a self-distribution unit in 2002.
On March 29, 2004, the company launched Taffy Entertainment, which would become the company's rights management and worldwide distribution subsidiary.[3] Taffy soon launched a licensing unit in August.[4] Taffy wasn't the same company as Mike Young Productions, both had similar instances.
Acquired by MoonScoop and rebranding (2005–2013)
In October 2005, MoonScoop acquired a 51% majority stake in both MYP and Taffy, with Mike Young (through Mike Young Productions, Inc.) retaining a 49% stake.[5] In March 2009, MoonScoop announced that both units would be rebranded under the MoonScoop brand.[6][7] with Mike Young Productions rebranding as MoonScoop Entertainment, LLC., and Taffy Entertainment being absorbed into the newly renamed company.[8]
Management buyout (2013–2022)
MoonScoop Entertainment, LLC.'s parent company, MoonScoop, entered administration in Paris courts in July 2013, but this did not affect the operations of the US company.[9] In November, Mike Young filed a $5 million lawsuit against MoonScoop's US holding division for a violation of contract, deeming that his business attempted to purchase out MoonScoop's stake in MoonScoop Entertainment, LLC., but wouldn't let him do so. Young also claimed that he was completely unaware of MoonScoop's financial issues until the day the news were reported.[10]
On January 27, 2014, Dargaud, through their fully owned subsidiary Ellipsanime, purchased MoonScoop's assets,[11] and a week later on February 3, Mike Young purchased out Ellipsanime's 51% share in MoonScoop Entertainment, LLC., and rebranded the company as Splash Entertainment, LLC.[1]
Partnership with Cyber Group Studios (2022–2025)
On June 13, 2022, Splash Entertainment announced they would form a joint-venture with French studio Cyber Group Studios called CyberSplash Entertainment.[12] The two companies expanded their partnership in February 2023 to include worldwide distribution rights to Splash's TV catalog.[13]
European Film Partners (season 1) Wales Creative IP Fund (season 1) Trickompany Filmproduktion (season 1) Kids Workout Factory (season 2) Telegael Teoranta Minika (season 2)
Home Plate Entertainment Telegael Teoranta Four Down Productions (season 1) Agogo Media (season 1) Copernicus Studios (season 1) Superjacket Productions (season 2) Top Draw Animation (season 2) Big Jump Entertainment (season 2)