Editing DreamWorks Animation (section)

=== Public corporation (2004–2016) ===
The animation division was spun off into a publicly traded company under the name '''DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc.''' (doing business as '''DreamWorks Animation LLC''') on October 27, 2004, and traded via the [[New York Stock Exchange]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/2004/10/22/cx_sr_1022ipooutlook.html|title=DreamWorks' Animated IPO|work=Forbes|date=October 22, 2004|access-date=April 23, 2025}}</ref>  Katzenberg headed the new division, while Spielberg and Geffen remained on board as investors and consultants.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-12-05/dreamworks-katzenberg-still-seeks-advice-from-spielberg.html | title=DreamWorks' Katzenberg Still Seeks Advice From Spielberg | first=Andy | last=Fixmer | website=bloomberg.com | publisher=[[Bloomberg L.P.|Bloomberg]] | date=December 5, 2013 | access-date=February 24, 2014 | archive-date=March 4, 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140304113531/http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-12-05/dreamworks-katzenberg-still-seeks-advice-from-spielberg.html | url-status=live }}</ref> DWA also inherited interests in PDI/DreamWorks. They made an agreement with their former parent to distribute all of their films until they delivered twelve new films, or December 12, 2010, whichever came last.<ref name="Annual2004" />

On January 31, 2006, DWA entered into a distribution agreement with [[Paramount Pictures]], which recently acquired DWA's former parent and distribution partner, DreamWorks SKG. The agreement granted Paramount the worldwide rights to distribute all animated films, including all of their previously released animated films, until the delivery of 13 new animated feature films or the expiration date of December 31, 2012, whichever came last.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.dreamworks.com/2010AR/docs/114527_008_DreamWorks_BMK.PDF | title=Annual Report 2010 | website=dreamworksanimation.com | publisher=DreamwWorks Animation SKG | date=February 24, 2011 | access-date=July 3, 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928232652/http://www.dreamworksanimation.com/2010AR/docs/114527_008_DreamWorks_BMK.PDF | archive-date=September 28, 2011 | url-status=dead }}</ref> ''Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit'' was the last film distributed by its former distribution arm and ''[[Over the Hedge]]'' was the first film distributed by Paramount on May 19, 2006.

DWA's partnership with Aardman ended after the release of ''[[Flushed Away]]'' in November 2006, having delivered three out of five films. The announcement was made before the film's release, on October 3, citing "creative differences".<ref>{{cite news | first=Laura M. | last=Holson | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/03/business/media/03animation.html | title=Is Th-Th-That All, Folks? | work=The New York Times | date=October 3, 2006 | access-date=November 17, 2010 | archive-date=December 1, 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201040106/http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D00E7D91430F930A35753C1A9609C8B63&&scp=4&sq=aardman&st=cse | url-status=live }}</ref> DWA retained the co-ownership of rights to all films co-produced with Aardman, with an exception being ''Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit'' (2005), for which they only kept the worldwide distribution rights.<ref name="Annual2007" />

On March 13, 2007, DreamWorks Animation announced it would release all of its films, beginning with ''[[Monsters vs. Aliens]]'' (2009), in stereoscopic 3D.<ref>{{Cite press release | title = DreamWorks Animation Goes 3D |website=ir.dreamworksanimation.com | publisher=DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc. | date = March 13, 2007 | url = http://ir.dreamworksanimation.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=540426 | archive-url = https://archive.today/20110818161758/http://ir.dreamworksanimation.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=540426 | url-status = dead | archive-date = August 18, 2011 | access-date = November 6, 2010 }}</ref> Together with [[Intel]], they co-developed a new 3D film-making technology, [[InTru3D]].<ref>{{Cite press release | title = INTEL, DreamWorks Animation Form Strategic Alliance to Revolutionize 3-D Filmmaking Technology | publisher=DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc. | date = July 8, 2008 | url = http://ir.dreamworksanimation.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=540764 |website=ir.dreamworksanimation.com | archive-url = https://archive.today/20110818161915/http://ir.dreamworksanimation.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=540764 | url-status = dead | archive-date = August 18, 2011 | access-date = November 6, 2010 }}</ref>
[[File:DreamWorks Animation SKG logo.svg|left|thumb|Print logo without the mascot, used from 2007 to 2018 prior to NBCUniversal's acquisition.]]
In 2008, DWA extended its production pipeline into [[Bangalore]], [[India]], where they established a special unit within [[Technicolor SA|Technicolor]], named DreamWorks Dedicated Unit. The unit is owned by Technicolor, but DreamWorks hires and trains the animators, who then contribute to DreamWorks projects. DDU at first worked only on television specials, such as ''[[Merry Madagascar]]'' (2009), ''[[Scared Shrekless]]'' (2010), and direct-to-video projects.<ref>{{cite web | title=Opportunities in India to work on Dreamworks Featured Projects | url=https://www.siggraph.org//asia2011/exhibitor-tech-talk-detail?id=133 | work=Siggraph | date=December 13, 2011 | access-date=December 16, 2011 | archive-url=https://archive.today/20120913090124/http://www.siggraph.org/asia2011/exhibitor-tech-talk-detail?id=133 | archive-date=September 13, 2012 | url-status=dead | df=mdy-all }}</ref> Eventually they started contributing to DreamWorks' feature films as well, beginning with animating part of ''[[Puss in Boots (2011 film)|Puss in Boots]]'' (2011).<ref>{{cite news|title='Puss in Boots' showcases work by India animators for DreamWorks|url=https://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-ct-dwa-india-20111029,0,1526743.story|access-date=November 1, 2011|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|first=Richard|last=Verrier|date=October 29, 2011|archive-date=October 30, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111030091507/http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-ct-dwa-india-20111029,0,1526743.story|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2009, the company moved its shares to the [[Nasdaq|NASDAQ]] as a move designed to save costs.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.animationmagazine.net/2009/02/dreamworks-goes-to-nasdaq-allens-cashed-out/|title= DreamWorks Goes to NASDAQ; Allen's Cashed Out|work=Animation Magazine|date=17 February 2009|access-date=14 December 2023|first=Tom|last=McLean}}</ref>

Since 2009, the studio has been regularly listed in [[Fortune (magazine)|''Fortune'' Magazine]]'s "100 Best Companies to Work For". As the only entertainment company on the list, they ranked 47th in 2009,<ref>{{cite web | author=Fortune | url=https://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/bestcompanies/2009/snapshots/47.html | title=100 Best Companies to Work For 2009 | website=money.cnn.com | publisher=[[Fortune (magazine)|Fortune]] | date=February 2, 2009 | access-date=October 30, 2010 | archive-date=October 24, 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101024052905/http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/bestcompanies/2009/snapshots/47.html | url-status=live }}</ref> 6th in 2010,<ref>{{cite web | author=Fortune | url=https://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/bestcompanies/2010/snapshots/6.html | title=100 Best Companies to Work For 2010 | website=money.cnn.com | publisher=[[Fortune (magazine)|Fortune]] | date=February 8, 2010 | access-date=October 30, 2010 | archive-date=November 12, 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101112001226/http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/bestcompanies/2010/snapshots/6.html | url-status=live }}</ref> 10th in 2011,<ref>{{cite web | author=Fortune | url=https://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/bestcompanies/2011/snapshots/10.html | title=100 Best Companies to Work For 2011 | website=money.cnn.com | publisher=[[Fortune (magazine)|Fortune]] | date=February 7, 2011 | access-date=July 2, 2011 | archive-date=June 23, 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110623235154/http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/bestcompanies/2011/snapshots/10.html | url-status=live }}</ref> 14th in 2012,<ref>{{cite news|title=Best Companies to Work for 2012|url=https://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/best-companies/2012/snapshots/14.html|access-date=January 19, 2012|newspaper=[[Fortune (magazine)|Fortune]]|date=January 19, 2012|archive-date=January 22, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120122010154/http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/best-companies/2012/snapshots/14.html|url-status=live}}</ref> and 12th in 2013.<ref>{{cite news|title=DreamWorks Animation - Best Companies to Work For 2013|url=https://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/best-companies/2013/snapshots/12.html?iid=bc_fl_list|access-date=January 19, 2013|website=money.cnn.com|publisher=[[Fortune (magazine)|Fortune]]|date=January 17, 2013|archive-date=January 22, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130122054031/http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/best-companies/2013/snapshots/12.html?iid=bc_fl_list|url-status=live}}</ref>

Beginning in 2010, the studio had planned to release five feature films over the course of every two years,<ref>{{Cite press release | title = DreamWorks Animation Announces Plans to Release Five Feature Films Every Two Years |website=ir.dreamworksanimation.com | publisher=DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc. | date = May 28, 2009 | url = http://ir.dreamworksanimation.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=540593 | archive-url = https://archive.today/20110818161825/http://ir.dreamworksanimation.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=540593 | url-status = dead | archive-date = August 18, 2011 | access-date = October 30, 2010 }}</ref> but the next year the studio revisited their plans, "but beyond 2012, Katzenberg said the studio will play it by year, even if that means abandoning his proclamation that DWA would try to release three pictures in a single year, every other year."<ref>{{cite news | last=Bond | first=Paul | url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/dreamworks-animation-retreats-cg-film-161246 | title=DreamWorks Animation Retreats on Film Output Plan | work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] | date=February 24, 2011 | access-date=February 25, 2011 | archive-date=February 28, 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110228034908/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/dreamworks-animation-retreats-cg-film-161246 | url-status=live }}</ref> In 2010, with the releases of ''[[How to Train Your Dragon (2010 film)|How to Train Your Dragon]]'', ''[[Shrek Forever After]]'', and ''[[Megamind]]'', DWA became the first animation studio that released three feature-length CG-animated films in a year.<ref>{{cite press release|title=DreamWorks Animation Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2010 Financial Results|url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/dreamworks-animation-reports-fourth-quarter-and-full-year-2010-financial-results-116862013.html|access-date=November 8, 2013|website=PR Newswire|date=February 24, 2011|author=DreamWorks Animation|archive-date=October 15, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141015162213/http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/dreamworks-animation-reports-fourth-quarter-and-full-year-2010-financial-results-116862013.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The same year, the company purchased the film rights to the [[Troll doll|Trolls franchise]].<ref name=vty>{{cite news | last=Graser | first=Marc | url=https://variety.com/2013/biz/news/troll-dolls-in-dreamworks-toy-chest-1200350401/ | title=Troll Dolls in DreamWorks' Toy Chest | work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] | date=April 11, 2013 | access-date=August 5, 2013 | archive-date=May 16, 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130516040131/http://variety.com/2013/biz/news/troll-dolls-in-dreamworks-toy-chest-1200350401/ | url-status=live }}</ref>

==== Diversification and expansion (2012–2015) ====
In July 2012, DreamWorks Animation won a $155 million bid to acquire [[DreamWorks Classics|Classic Media]],<ref name=ClassicMedia>{{cite news|last=Lieberman|first=David|title=DreamWorks Animation Agrees To Pay $155M For Classic Media|url=https://deadline.com/2012/07/dreamworks-animation-buy-classic-media-rocky-bullwinkle-305403/|access-date=July 24, 2012|newspaper=Deadline|date=July 23, 2012|archive-date=July 24, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120724184416/http://www.deadline.com/2012/07/dreamworks-animation-buy-classic-media-rocky-bullwinkle/|url-status=live}}</ref> which has since been renamed to DreamWorks Classics.<ref>{{cite news|last=Venkatesan|first=Adithya|title=DreamWorks to buy Classic Media for $155 million: WSJ|url=https://in.reuters.com/article/us-classicmedia-dreamworks-acquisition/dreamworks-to-buy-classic-media-for-155-million-wsj-idINBRE86M05920120723|access-date=August 13, 2012|newspaper=Reuters|date=July 23, 2012|archive-date=September 22, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170922100509/http://in.reuters.com/article/us-classicmedia-dreamworks-acquisition/dreamworks-to-buy-classic-media-for-155-million-wsj-idINBRE86M05920120723|url-status=dead}}</ref> In August 2012, DreamWorks Animation formed a joint venture with Chinese investment companies to establish a [[Shanghai]]-based entertainment company, named [[Oriental DreamWorks]], to develop and produce original Chinese films and their derivatives.<ref>{{cite news|title=Oriental DreamWorks Rewrites Its China Production Strategy|url=https://variety.com/2013/film/news/oriental-dreamworks-rewrites-its-china-production-strategy-1200601504/#|access-date=November 14, 2013|newspaper=Variety|first=Patrick|last=Frater|date=September 6, 2013|archive-date=November 14, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131114195031/http://variety.com/2013/film/news/oriental-dreamworks-rewrites-its-china-production-strategy-1200601504/|url-status=live}}</ref>

According to a ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' report, DreamWorks Animation was in talks with [[Sony Pictures]] to distribute its upcoming films, such as the 2013 releases of ''[[The Croods]]'' and ''[[Turbo (2013 film)|Turbo]]''. The report also mentioned a possibility where Sony would handle United States distribution while [[20th Century Studios|20th Century Fox]] would handle international distribution. Renewal of the deal with Paramount was also open, but only with more favorable terms for Paramount (they even offered a one-year extension of the deal, but Katzenberg desired to get a better deal).<ref>{{cite news|last1=Horn|first1=John|last2=Fritz|first2=Ben|title=DreamWorks Animation could be headed to Sony|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/cotown/la-et-ct-dreamworks-animation-sony-20120712,0,6507312.story|access-date=July 18, 2012|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=July 13, 2012|archive-date=July 17, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120717005424/http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/cotown/la-et-ct-dreamworks-animation-sony-20120712,0,6507312.story|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Finke|first1=Nikki|title=Paramount Expects DreamWorks Toon Exit; Studio Starts Paramount Animation Unit; Jeff Katzenberg Zeroing In Time Warner|url=https://deadline.com/2011/07/paramount-starting-animation-division-145386/|access-date=July 25, 2017|newspaper=Deadline|date=July 6, 2011|archive-date=September 22, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170922100025/http://deadline.com/2011/07/paramount-starting-animation-division-145386/|url-status=live}}</ref> Around the same time, DreamWorks Animation entered talks with [[Warner Bros.]] for a potential distribution deal as well, only to be turned down by the studio.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Fritz |first1=Ben |title=Warner Bros. uninterested in DreamWorks Animation deal |url=https://latimesblogs.latimes.com/entertainmentnewsbuzz/2011/07/dreamworks-animation-deal-with-warner-bros-appears-unlikely.html |access-date=February 21, 2020 |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=July 29, 2011 |archive-date=February 21, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200221221959/https://latimesblogs.latimes.com/entertainmentnewsbuzz/2011/07/dreamworks-animation-deal-with-warner-bros-appears-unlikely.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

In August 2012, DreamWorks Animation signed a five-year distribution deal with 20th Century Fox for all territories.<ref name="Finke">{{cite news|last=Finke|first=Nikki|title=EXCLUSIVE: DreamWorks Animation To Fox For New 5-Year Distribution Deal; Paying Fees Of 8% Theatrical And 6% Digital|url=https://deadline.com/2012/08/exclusive-dreamworks-animation-to-fox-321701/|access-date=August 20, 2012|newspaper=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|date=August 20, 2012|archive-date=August 22, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120822012707/http://www.deadline.com/2012/08/exclusive-dreamworks-animation-to-fox/|url-status=live}}</ref> However, the deal did not include the distribution rights of previously released films, which DWA acquired from Paramount later in 2014.<ref name="VarietyQ22014Earnings">{{cite news|last1=Chney|first1=Alexandra|title=DreamWorks Animation Q2 Earnings Fall Short of Estimates, SEC Investigation Revealed|url=https://variety.com/2014/biz/news/dreamworks-animation-q2-earnings-fall-short-of-estimates-1201271262/|access-date=July 30, 2014|work=Variety|date=July 29, 2014|archive-date=June 23, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180623141606/https://variety.com/2014/biz/news/dreamworks-animation-q2-earnings-fall-short-of-estimates-1201271262/|url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[Rise of the Guardians]]'' (2012) was the last DreamWorks Animation film to be distributed by Paramount, and ''The Croods'' became the first DreamWorks Animation film to be distributed by 20th Century Fox.

On April 11, 2013, DreamWorks Animation announced that it has acquired the intellectual property for the [[Troll doll|''Trolls'' franchise]] from the Dam Family and Dam Things. DreamWorks Animation, which has "big plans for the [[Franchising|franchise]]", has become the exclusive worldwide licensor of the merchandise rights, except for Scandinavia, where Dam Things remains the licensor.<ref name=vty/> On May 1, Katzenberg and DWA announced their intent to purchase [[YouTube]] channel [[AwesomenessTV]], which was finalized later in the month.<ref>Lieberman, David. (May 1, 2013). [https://deadline.com/2013/05/dreamworks-animation-agrees-to-pay-33m-for-awesomenesstv-487571/ DreamWorks Animation Agrees To Pay $33M+ For AwesomenessTV] . ''[[Deadline Hollywood]]''.</ref>

The following month, DWA announced a multi-year content deal to provide 300 hours of exclusive original content to the [[video on demand]] Internet [[streaming media]] provider, [[Netflix]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Szalai|first1=George|title=Netflix to Air New DreamWorks Animation Shows|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/netflix-air-new-dreamworks-animation-569874|access-date=October 12, 2014|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=June 17, 2013|archive-date=October 25, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141025110613/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/netflix-air-new-dreamworks-animation-569874|url-status=live}}</ref> Part of the intent of the deal was in part to establish a more reliable income for DWA to defray the financial risk of solely relying on the theatrical film market.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://zolmax.com/netflix-secures-deal-with-dreamworks-for-new-shows-nasdaqnflx/75785/ |title=» Netflix Secures Deal With DreamWorks For New Shows (NASDAQ:NFLX) |website=Zolmax |date=June 28, 2013 |access-date=July 8, 2013 |archive-date=July 3, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130703072015/http://zolmax.com/netflix-secures-deal-with-dreamworks-for-new-shows-nasdaqnflx/75785/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The next day, DWA completed a five-year licensing agreement with [[Super RTL]] to start that September for the Classic Media library and the Netflix slate.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Spangler|first1=Todd|title=DreamWorks Animation Sees $100m Revenue This Year From Netflix, Other TV Deals|url=https://variety.com/2013/digital/news/dreamworks-animation-sees-100m-revenue-this-year-from-netflix-other-tv-deals-1200498406/|access-date=October 12, 2014|work=Variety|date=June 18, 2013|archive-date=December 19, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141219135542/http://variety.com/2013/digital/news/dreamworks-animation-sees-100m-revenue-this-year-from-netflix-other-tv-deals-1200498406/|url-status=live}}</ref> With the Netflix and Super RTL deals in place for television, DWA announced executive hiring for its new television group, DreamWorks Animation Television in late July. Former Nickelodeon senior executive Margie Cohn became Head of Television for the group.<ref>{{cite news|last=Graser|first=Marc|title=Nickelodeon Vet Marjorie Cohn to Run DreamWorks Animation Television|url=https://variety.com/2013/tv/news/nickelodeon-vet-marjorie-cohn-to-run-dreamworks-animation-television-1200570293/|access-date=August 5, 2013|newspaper=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=July 31, 2013|archive-date=August 3, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130803162608/http://variety.com/2013/tv/news/nickelodeon-vet-marjorie-cohn-to-run-dreamworks-animation-television-1200570293/|url-status=live}}</ref> In September that same year, DreamWorks announced that it has acquired the television library of London-based [[Chapman Entertainment]] with the programs to distributed through DWA's UK-based television distribution operation.<ref>{{cite news |last=Vivarelli |first=Nick |title=DreamWorks Animation Buys Chapman Entertainment Library |url=https://variety.com/2013/tv/news/dreamworks-animation-buys-chapman-entertainment-library-1200616294/# |access-date=November 14, 2013 |newspaper=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |date=September 18, 2013 |archive-date=November 24, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131124050141/http://variety.com/2013/tv/news/dreamworks-animation-buys-chapman-entertainment-library-1200616294/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

The next year, in February, DreamWorks announced the foundation of a new publishing division called '''DreamWorks Press''', to publish books in print and digital form.<ref>{{cite news |last=Trachtenberg |first=Jeffrey A. |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702304450904579369402273047942 |title=DreamWorks Animation Creates Children's Books Imprint |newspaper=Wall Street Journal |date=February 10, 2014 |access-date=February 10, 2014 |archive-date=April 13, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150413033722/http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702304450904579369402273047942 |url-status=live }}</ref> In June, the rights to [[Felix the Cat]] were acquired by DreamWorks Animation from Felix the Cat Productions, owned by Don Oriolo.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2014/film/news/dreamworks-animation-acquires-rights-to-felix-the-cat-1201221646/|title=DreamWorks Animation Buys Felix the Cat|last=McNary|first=Dave|date=June 17, 2014|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|access-date=June 17, 2014|archive-date=June 28, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180628204955/https://variety.com/2014/film/news/dreamworks-animation-acquires-rights-to-felix-the-cat-1201221646/|url-status=live}}</ref> The same month, [[DreamWorksTV (YouTube channel)|DreamWorksTV]] channel debuted on YouTube and operated by AwesomenessTV.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Verrier|first1=Richard|last2=Chang|first2=Andrea|title=DreamWorks Animation launches family-oriented YouTube channel|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/cotown/la-et-ct-dreamworks-animation-youtube-20140617-story.html|access-date=June 18, 2014|work=Los Angeles Times|date=June 17, 2014|archive-date=June 17, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140617233712/http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/cotown/la-et-ct-dreamworks-animation-youtube-20140617-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref> DreamWorks Animation then purchased Paramount's distribution rights to the pre-2013 library in July, and since then, DreamWorks Animation's then-distribution partner 20th Century Fox has distributed the library on their behalf until 2018, in which DreamWorks Animation's parent company [[Universal Pictures]] has assumed these responsibilities.<ref name="VarietyQ22014Earnings" />

The studio was reported to be acquired twice in the end of 2014. First, it was reported in September that the Japanese conglomerate [[SoftBank Group|SoftBank]] was in talks to acquire DreamWorks Animation for a price of $3.4 billion,<ref>{{cite news|last1=Krolicki|first1=Kevin|last2=Bansal|first2=Paritosh|title=Japan's SoftBank in talks to buy DreamWorks: source|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-dreamworks-anim-softbank-idUSKCN0HN03F20140928|access-date=November 15, 2014|work=Reuters.com|publisher=Thomson Reuters|date=September 28, 2014|archive-date=March 11, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160311014334/http://www.reuters.com/article/us-dreamworks-anim-softbank-idUSKCN0HN03F20140928|url-status=live}}</ref> but the next day, it was reported that SoftBank had withdrawn its offer.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Schwartzel|first1=Erich|last2=Mattioli|first2=Dana|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/softbank-dreamworks-animation-talks-cool-1412025651|title=SoftBank, DreamWorks Animation Talks Cool|date=September 29, 2014|access-date=November 15, 2014|work=[[The Wall Street Journal]]|archive-date=December 30, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141230233858/http://www.wsj.com/articles/softbank-dreamworks-animation-talks-cool-1412025651|url-status=live}}</ref> Next on November 12, it was reported that [[Hasbro]] was in talks to buy DreamWorks Animation in November. The proposal reportedly calls for the combined company to take the name "DreamWorks-Hasbro" and for Jeffrey Katzenberg to become its chairman, but as a matter of policy, neither Hasbro nor DWA publicly comment on mergers and acquisitions.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Lieberman|first1=David|last2=Patten|first2=Dominic|title=DreamWorks Animation & Hasbro In Merger Talks; Deal With Hearst Looming|url=https://deadline.com/2014/11/dreamworks-animation-hasbro-merger-negotiations-in-works-1201282751/|access-date=November 15, 2014|website=Deadline Hollywood|publisher=Penske Business Media|date=November 12, 2014|archive-date=November 15, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141115075936/http://deadline.com/2014/11/dreamworks-animation-hasbro-merger-negotiations-in-works-1201282751/|url-status=live}}</ref> Two days later, the talks were reported to have fallen through.<ref>{{cite news|last1=de la Merced|first1=Michael J.|last2=Barnes|first2=Brooks|title=Hasbro Said to End Talks to Take Over DreamWorks Animation|url=https://dealbook.nytimes.com/2014/11/14/hasbro-said-to-end-talks-to-take-over-dreamworks-animation/|access-date=November 15, 2014|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=November 14, 2014|archive-date=November 15, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141115103415/http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2014/11/14/hasbro-said-to-end-talks-to-take-over-dreamworks-animation/|url-status=live}}</ref>

DreamWorks Animation announced their launch into the television broadcasting business on December 9, 2014, by creating their own channel called the [[DreamWorks Channel]]. With [[HBO Asia]] handling affiliate sales, marketing and technical services, the network launched in several Asian countries (except China and Japan) in the second half of 2015.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Bond|first1=Paul|title=DreamWorks Animation to Launch TV Channel in Asia|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/dreamworks-animation-launch-tv-channel-755631|access-date=December 10, 2014|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=December 9, 2014|archive-date=June 29, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180629023717/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/dreamworks-animation-launch-tv-channel-755631|url-status=live}}</ref> The channel first premiered in English on August 1, 2015, and a [[Thai language|Thai]]-dubbed channel launched in September 2015.<ref>{{cite news|title=DreamWorks to launch first dedicated channel in Thailand|first=David|last=Blecken|url=https://www.campaignlive.co.uk/article/dreamworks-launch-first-dedicated-channel-thailand/1358017|access-date=August 3, 2015|work=Campaign|date=July 29, 2015|archive-date=August 13, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150813204355/http://www.campaignlive.co.uk/article/dreamworks-launch-first-dedicated-channel-thailand/1358017|url-status=live}}</ref> Also in December, DWA sold a 25% stake in AwesomenessTV for $81.25 million to the [[Hearst Communications|Hearst Corporation]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Verrier|first1=Richard|title=Hearst Corp. buys 25% stake in AwesomenessTV|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/cotown/la-et-ct-dreamworks-hearst-20141211-story.html|access-date=December 16, 2014|work=Los Angeles Times|date=December 11, 2014|archive-date=December 16, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141216062614/http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/cotown/la-et-ct-dreamworks-hearst-20141211-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

On January 5, 2015, DreamWorks Animation announced that [[Bonnie Arnold]], producer of the ''[[How to Train Your Dragon]]'' series and [[Mireille Soria]], producer of the ''[[Madagascar (franchise)|Madagascar]]'' series were named co-presidents of the studio's feature animation division. At the same time, it was also announced that [[Bill Damaschke]] would step down from his position as Chief Creative Officer. So far, under Arnold and Soria's current tenure they signed [[Jason Reitman]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2015/05/jason-reitman-beekle-book-adaptation-dreamworks-animation-1201433534/|title=Jason Reitman Takes On 'Beekle' Book Adaptation For DreamWorks Animation|first=Dominic|last=Patten|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=May 27, 2015|access-date=February 19, 2020|archive-date=December 14, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181214132210/https://deadline.com/2015/05/jason-reitman-beekle-book-adaptation-dreamworks-animation-1201433534/|url-status=live}}</ref> and [[Edgar Wright]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.comingsoon.net/movies/news/634723-edgar-wright-to-direct-dreamworks-animations-movie-on-shadows|title=Edgar Wright to Direct DreamWorks Animation's Movie on Shadows|date=November 19, 2015|work=ComingSoon.net|access-date=February 19, 2020|archive-date=February 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200211210406/https://www.comingsoon.net/movies/news/634723-edgar-wright-to-direct-dreamworks-animations-movie-on-shadows|url-status=live}}</ref> to work on their own animation debuts. Two weeks later, PDI/DreamWorks completely shut down as part of its parent company's larger restructuring efforts due to the box office underperformance of ''[[Mr. Peabody & Sherman]]'' and ''[[Penguins of Madagascar]]'' (both 2014), cutting 500 jobs.<ref>{{cite news|title=BREAKING: DreamWorks Will Shut Down PDI/DreamWorks Studio; 500 Jobs Will Be Eliminated|url=https://www.cartoonbrew.com/business/breaking-dreamworks-animation-will-shut-down-pdidreamworks-studio-over-500-jobs-will-be-eliminated-108161.html|newspaper=Cartoon Brew|date=January 22, 2015|first=Amid |author-link=Amid Amidi|last=Amidi|access-date=June 29, 2020|archive-date=July 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200730024759/https://www.cartoonbrew.com/business/breaking-dreamworks-animation-will-shut-down-pdidreamworks-studio-over-500-jobs-will-be-eliminated-108161.html|url-status=live}}</ref>