Peppa Pig rights holder dismisses sale rumour

The film and TV distribution company that owns the lucrative rights to Peppa Pig and The Hunger Games has insisted it is not up for sale.

Entertainment One boss Darren Throop said he wants to build up the firm, doubling revenues by 2020.

Shares in eOne have fallen by more than 50% in the past year, in part due to a rights issues and a debt raising to buy the firm which created Peppa Pig.

But last month, eOne’s shares leapt on reports that ITV was considering buying it.

Throop said: “We talk to everyone in the business, including ITV, but there was no conversation about a sale. The business is not up for sale. If someone wants to make an offer for the business, then that is a matter for the board.”

Annual revenues climbed 2% to £803 million, while pre-tax profits were up 9% at £48 million.

It has The BFG film and the TV adaptation of novel Gone Girl, Sharp Objects, starring Amy Adams on this year’s slate.