All Brands Owned by Candle Media

Who owns Candle Media?

Candle Media is an independent private company controlled by co-founders Kevin Mayer and Tom Staggs, financed principally by approximately $2 billion from Blackstone's flagship private equity funds. It has no parent company.

What does Candle Media own?

As of late 2026, Candle's principal asset is Moonbug Entertainment, the children's media company behind CoComelon and Blippi. It also holds Faraway Road Productions, a minority stake in ATTN:, and a minority investment in Westbrook Inc.

Who founded Candle Media?

Kevin Mayer and Tom Staggs, both former senior Walt Disney Company executives, founded Candle Media in 2021. Mayer had led Disney's direct-to-consumer business and briefly served as CEO of TikTok; Staggs was Disney's chief operating officer.

Did Candle Media sell Hello Sunshine?

Yes. In October 2026 Candle sold its majority stake in Hello Sunshine back to founder Reese Witherspoon and French production company Mediawan for a reported low- to mid-eight-figure sum, far below the $900 million valuation at which Candle bought in during 2021.

Is Candle Media going to sell Moonbug?

Industry reporting as of late 2026 indicates a Moonbug sale has been explored but is not imminent. Moonbug remains Candle's main operating asset and is described as financially healthier than many comparable media companies.

Is Candle Media public?

No. Candle Media is privately held and has never been listed, though taking the combined company public was part of its original strategic plan before it pivoted to asset-level monetization.