Power Rangers: Haim Saban (2017)

Cartoon Music

Haim Saban's journey into the cartoon music industry was marked by strategic innovation and immense success. He and his partner became top writers at BMI, composing music for iconic cartoons like "Inspector Gadget" and "Heathcliff" 1. Saban's business model was revolutionary; he offered free music to producers in exchange for retaining both the publisher and composer shares, capitalizing on the lucrative royalties from extensive cartoon soundtracks 2.

I make music for cartoons. I could see the compassion in their eyes because they thought, I gotta tell you, there was no room for compassion. I was making money head over fist.

--- Haim Saban

This approach allowed him to establish twelve studios dedicated to cartoon music, underscoring his dominance in the field 1.

   

Acquiring Fox Kids

Saban's acquisition of Fox Kids was a bold move that showcased his business acumen. He negotiated a deal with Rupert Murdoch, exchanging his production company and cartoons for half of Fox Kids, thereby gaining a significant foothold in the children's entertainment industry 3. This strategic partnership allowed him to transition a Christian cable channel into a successful kids' channel, eventually selling it for $5.3 billion to Disney 4.

My stake in the company is worth 2 billion. That's what I thought.

--- Haim Saban

Saban's insistence on fair valuation and his ability to negotiate with major players like Disney and CBS underscored his prowess in the media landscape.

   

Building Power Rangers

The creation of the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers was a pivotal moment in Saban's career. He discovered the concept in Japan and saw the potential to adapt it for American audiences by combining Japanese action scenes with new American footage 5. Despite initial rejections, Saban's persistence paid off when Fox executive Margaret Lesh recognized the show's potential, leading to its massive success 6.

Gut is many times more important than brain. I have to tell you that the biggest hits that I had in my life and in music and in television and hen in business have been always as a result of significant rejections and repeated rejections.

--- Haim Saban

The Power Rangers became a cultural phenomenon, outperforming other popular shows and solidifying Saban's status as a media mogul.