Rainbow (company)

Rainbow S.p.A. is an Italian studio founded by Iginio Straffi and formerly co-owned by Viacom (later Paramount Global) from 2011 to 2023. Rainbow has collaborated with Viacom/Paramount's other company, Nickelodeon, on multiple shows, including Winx Club and Club 57. The studio is based in Loreto, Marche and was founded by Straffi in 1995.

History

Rainbow began as an animation studio, providing creative services for larger companies until it secured enough funds for original productions.

In April 2008, Rainbow signed a five-year co-production partnership with German media entertainment company Made 4 Entertainment (M4E) to develop and produce television series with M4E granting the rights to then-upcoming season of Rainbow's series Winx Club and its then-upcoming spin-off Pixie (now PopPixie) as the latter would manage distribution to the two series alongside Rainbow whilst Rainbow and M4E would co-produce a new television series.

In February 2011, Viacom purchased 30% of the company for 62 million euros (US$83 million), leaving the remaining 70% to Iginio Straffi. Viacom's Nickelodeon networks broadcast Rainbow's shows worldwide, and Rainbow acts as the licensing agent for Nickelodeon's shows in Italy. Nickelodeon's American studios have also collaborated with Rainbow on several productions, including Winx Club from 2011 to 2015 and Club 57 in 2019.

In 2015, Rainbow purchased fellow animation studio Bardel Entertainment.

In June 2016, Rainbow who produced the CGI/live-action property Mia and Me with German media brand management and media company Made 4 Entertainment (m4e) under the latter's subsidiary Hahn & m4e Productions had sold their 50% majority international rights stake in the popular show to the German entertainment company Made 4 Entertainment (m4e) as the latter company will plan to grow its IP to other countries while Rainbow had retained distribution rights to the show in Italy.

In August 2017 following the success of its teen series Maggie & Bianca Fashion Friends, Rainbow strenghed its live-action and animation production & distribution operations by acquiring a majority stake in entertainment company Gruppo Iven S.p.A. and its production subsidiaries including production arm Colorado Film, recording unit San Isidro Edizioni Musicali and film production/distributor Gavila, the buyout of a majority stake in Gruppo Iven had increased Rainbow's live-action production operations as the latter grouo became a subsidiairy and would ultize Rainbow's internarional reach while Gruppo Iven's chairmen Maurizio Totti continued to lead the group under Rainbow.

In April 2018, Straffi and Viacom listed the company on the Italian stock exchange. The listing followed years of consideration regarding which country's stock market to enter (the United States or Italy). According to Straffi, this presented "a real dilemma" as Viacom was already listed on an American stock exchange, but Rainbow performed best in European countries. Straffi and Viacom withdrew Rainbow from the stock market in May 2018, citing a lack of suitable market conditions.

After almost 12 years of co-ownership, Paramount sold its stake back to Straffi in January 2023. While Nickelodeon will continue to be a broadcast partner for the studio, the purchase allows Straffi full control of Rainbow's new projects.

In December 2025, the company celebrated its 30th anniversary. Rainbow also expanded its publishing portfolio with the acquisition of the successful children's book franchise Geronimo Stilton, alongside its spin-off series Tea Sisters, from its creators Elisabetta Dami and Pietro Marietti. Rainbow had previously handled licensing for Geronimo Stilton and Tea Sisters globally.

Filmography

Television series

Original comics

Films

Other divisions

Rainbow founded Tridimensional, a magazine publishing division, in 2004. A 3D animation division, Rainbow CGI, was formed in 2006. Rainbow also established Witty Toys, a toy division, in 2008.

External links