HiT sale to divide 'Thomas', 'Bob the Builder'

Thomas The Tank Engine and Bob the Builder could reportedly be separated as part of the sale of owner HiT Entertainment by private equity firm Apax Partners.

Last December, it emerged that Mr Men and Noddy-owner Chorion was preparing an offer for HiT Entertainment after Apax put the company on the market.

Thomas & Friends, the current name of the children's franchise, is understood to account for around half of HiT's revenue and so is being marketed as a standalone asset.

HiT's other properties, including Bob the Builder, Angelina Ballerina, Fireman Sam and Pingu, are up for sale as another separate entity, reports The Guardian.

Bank of America Merrill Lynch, which is handling the sale, has sent a confidential memorandum inviting bids for the whole company, or for its constituent parts.

Alongside Chorion, other interested parties are thought to include broadcasters Disney and Viacom, toymakers Mattel and Hasbro, and US brand management firm Saban Brands.

Apax acquired HiT Entertainment in 2005 for £489.4 million, but the company is expected to fetch a price of more than £700m today.

HiT's 30% stake in children's television channel PBS Kids Sprout, which has 50m viewers in the US, will also be included in the sale.