Chorion Said To Be Eyeing HIT

Rumors implying that Chorion, which is owned by the 3i Group, will make a bid for HIT Entertainment come January appeared in British papers this week. HIT holds licenses for Bob the Builder, Thomas and Friends, and Barney.

The unsourced newspaper report in the United Kingdom’s Sunday Times claimed that HIT is being prepped for auction with an expected tag of up to $1.6 billion. Another U.K. paper, The Daily Mail, said Chorion’s chairman has been pushed to seek outside assistance after 3i dismissed the company’s expansion plans.