Sony considers selling digital and animation studios

Sony Pictures Entertainment is considering selling over 50 per cent of its digital and animation divisions, with investment bank Houlihan Lokey Howard & Zukin currently assessing the value.

Sony Pictures Animation, responsible for Open Season and Surf's Up, and Sony Pictures Imageworks, best known for effects in the Spider-Man and Stuart Little movies, could generate up to USD 500 million, according to a report in the New York Times.

Sources close to the talks have said investors believe both divisions could expand into the production of videogames and television ads.

Sony is looking to sell 50 per cent of its animation business and even more of the digital effects studio, but it is thought it would want one investor as both businesses are very closely linked.

A Sony spokesperson told the NYTimes that the company was "open to exploring equity partnerships, and it's no surprise that there is market interest in our visual effects and animation businesses."