Paramount and Playmates Toys have recently revealed that their long-standing licensing agreement concerning Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TMNT) merchandise will not be renewed.
Since 1988, Playmates Holdings’ subsidiary Playmates International has held the rights to design, manufacture, distribute, and sell TMNT-branded products under license from Viacom Media Networks, a division of Paramount. The companies have been in renewal negotiations since October, but Playmates has now received a formal notification that the licensing agreement will end on Dec. 31, 2026. Playmates retains the right to sell its remaining TMNT inventory for an additional 90 days after the expiration.
Licensed TMNT products have represented a significant portion of Playmates Toys’ revenue in recent years — 8% in 2021, 13% in 2022, 77% in 2023, 47% in 2024, and 36% just between January and June of 2025.
For more details, visit playmatestoys.com or read the full regulatory filing on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong’s website.
