Authentic Brands Group to Acquire Care Bears Franchise

The deal, expected to finalize in the third quarter of 2026, brings a franchise with a 45-year history under the same corporate umbrella as brands like Reebok and Elvis Presley. Authentic plans to integrate the colorful bear collective—including icons like Cheer Bear and Grumpy Bear—into its existing content and live event ecosystem. Corey Salter, CEO of Authentic's Entertainment division, described the move as an effort to write the next chapter for a brand that already manages a network of 500 licensing partners.

Authentic Studios and Authentic Live will spearhead the expansion, tasked with developing new storylines and immersive experiences for the multigenerational fanbase. By folding the property into a platform that generates $36 billion in annual systemwide retail sales, the company aims to accelerate the reach of a franchise that originated as a 1980s greeting card concept. The transition will leverage Authentic's established infrastructure to push the characters further into gaming, film, and global retail channels.