Comcast acquires DreamWorks as theme park giants battle for top IPs
by Tom Anstey | 28 Apr 2016
How To Train Your Dragon is among the DreamWorks IPs that would be acquired by Comcast in the US$3bn deal / DreamWorks
With Comcast confirming the US$3.8bn (€3.4bn, £2.6bn) acquisition of DreamWorks, sources close to the deal say the move isn’t about acquiring its famous IPs to produce movies, rather to boost its
theme park businesses and accelerate consumer products.
According to The Wall Street Journal, the takeover of DreamWorks will see the departure of chief executive Jeffrey Katzenberg, who has been part of the company since its foundation in 1994.
The move by Comcast is similar to that of Disney, which in the past decade has acquired companies including Marvel Entertainment and Lucasfilm, both of which have been roaring successes for the entertainment giant.
Following the acquisition, the DreamWorks portfolio will be mined for IPs such as Shrek, Madagascar and How to Train Your Dragon, which will be used as attractions at its theme parks, opening up a host of new characters for Universal to play with. In addition to acquiring DreamWorks IPs, the move also gives Comcast access to the likes of Casper the Friendly Ghost, Lassie and Where’s Wally after DreamWorks acquired Classic Media for US$155mm (€136.5m, £106.5m) in 2012.
Comcast subsidiary NBCUniversal has more than doubled investment in its parks, promising at least one great new attraction for each Universal theme park every year.
Comcast NBCUniversal theme park DreamWorks Madagascar Star Wars How to Train Your Dragon Shrek Casper Lassie Where's Wally Disney07 Apr 2016
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Comcast promises one 'great attraction' a year at all Universal resorts
With Comcast confirming the US$3.8bn (€3.4bn, £2.6bn) acquisition of DreamWorks, sources close to the deal say the move isn’t about acquiring its famous IPs to produce movies, rather to boost its theme park businesses and accelerate consumer products. According to The Wall Street Journal, the takeover of DreamWorks will see the departure of chief executive Jeffrey Katzenberg, who has been part of the company since its foundation in 1994. The
TAW,VAT
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by Helen Andrews | 20 Apr 2026
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by Magali Robathan | 16 Apr 2026
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by Helen Andrews | 13 Apr 2026
The Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group has revealed plans to expand its presence in Egypt with the renovation and operation of two historic hotel properties and the brand’s first-ever luxury river cruise. In 2022, Mandarin Oriental announced it would open its first Egyptian property, Mandarin Oriental Shepheard in Cairo. The hotel is undergoing a comprehensive renovation and is due to open in 2027. Ownership and development The river cruise, Old Cataract
Designers Mendil + Meyer launch new division called Lām Concepts for strategic wellness projects
by Helen Andrews | 27 Mar 2026
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by Helen Andrews | 05 Mar 2026
Wilderness, an operator of 60 safari camps across eight African countries, has unveiled the second spa under its new concept called The Sanctuary, at Wilderness Bisate in Rwanda. The Sanctuary is a concept that pairs design and wellness with raw, restorative landscapes. The offering at the Rwandan property follows the opening of a different interpretation of The Sanctuary’s concept at Wilderness Mombo in Botswana. Read more about that property here.
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by Helen Andrews | 04 Mar 2026
Design firm 4a Architekten has shared details of the recently-completed extension to the wellness facilities at destination spa park Salinarium Bad Dürkheim Thermal Spa in Germany. The upgrades to the leisure pool facility, which has been in operation since 1984, included the addition of a thermal spa and sauna in a new building that integrated sensitively into the landscape. Commissioned by the facility’s operator, utility company Stadtwerke Bad Dürkheim, the
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