Nickelodeon Buys TMNT Global Rights [Update]

This news is getting posted everywhere today, and I would have posted it earlier if I would have understood it the first time.

Fresh out of Reuters is news that Nickelodeon has acquired the global rights to the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise from Mirage and 4Kids for $60 Million. The release mentions a new CG television series and movie, and when I first read it I thought that was all they had the rights for.

I didn’t realize that they bought the whole package, including toy and merchandise rights. I guess this is a big deal for TMNT fans, but honestly, I think Nick will handle the franchise well. I must admit, I’ve been less than amazed at Mirage’s “huge” 25th Anniversary Shellabration. If anything, it will be nice to see some talent behind TMNT marketing.

The current cartoon will continue to run until August 31st, 2010. Check out the full press release at Reuters.

Update: Now read the words straight from TMNT creator Peter Laird’s brain on why he sold.