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 strengthened 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 group became a subsidiary and would utilize Rainbow's international 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 would continue to be a broadcast partner for the studio, the purchase allowed Straffi full control of Rainbow's future 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.
In March 2026, Rainbow entered the SVOD platforms by establishing it's new premium SVOD channel on Prime Video Channels entitled Winx Club & Friends that brings Rainbow's Winx Club franchise & Rainbow's programming on one streaming premium channel as it became available in Italy, the UK, Finland and Sweden, while the new SVOD channel would bring new episodes alongside bringing films & series on the SVOD platform.
Filmography Television series Title Years Network Notes Tommy & Oscar 2000–2002 Rai 1 co-production with Rai Fiction Prezzemolo 2002–2003 Italia 1 co-production with Gardaland Colorado 2003–2019 co-production with Colorado Film and 3Zero2 Winx Club 2004–2019 Rai 2/Rai GulpNickelodeon (International) Rai Fiction (seasons 1–7), Nickelodeon Animation Studio (seasons 5–7) and Rai Ragazzi (season 8) Monster Allergy 2005–2009 Rai 2M6 (France)Kika (Germany) co-production with Futurikon and Rai Fiction Huntik: Secrets & Seekers 2009–2012 Rai 2 co-production with Rai Fiction and Big Bocca Productions (season 1) PopPixie 2010–2011 co-production with Rai Fiction Mia and Me 2012–2023 Rai 2/Rai GulpKika (Germany) seasons 1–2 onlyco-production with Hahn & m4e Productions, Rai Fiction (seasons 1–2) and March Entertainment (season 1)Currently owned by Studio 100 InternationalCrazy Block (pilot)2014Nickelodeon Regal Academy 2016–2018 Rai YoyoNickelodeon (International) co-production with Rai Fiction Maggie & Bianca: Fashion Friends 2016–2017 Rai GulpNetflix (International) co-production with Rai Fiction and Nickelodeon (pilot only) World of Winx co-production with Rai Fiction Eccezionale veramente La 7 co-production Colorado Film 44 Cats 2018–2021 Rai YoyoNickelodeon (International) co-production with Rai Ragazzi and Institute of Antoniano Club 57 2019–2021 Rai GulpNickelodeon (United States) co-production with Nickelodeon Productions, Rai Ragazzi and CinematNickelodeonEnjoy - Ridere fa bene2020RTI Fate: The Winx Saga 2021–2022 Netflix co-production with Archery Pictures and Young Blood Productions Summer & Todd: Happy Farmers 2021–2024 Rai YoyoClan (Spain) co-production with Motion Pictures Pinocchio and Friends Rai YoYo co-production with Rai Ragazzi and Toonz Media Group Mermaid Magic 2024–2026 Netflix co-production with Bardel Entertainment Gormiti: The New Era Rai 2 co-production with Giochi Preziosi and Rai Kids Winx Club: The Magic Is Back 2025–2026 Rai 2Netflix co-production with Rai Kids
Original comics ComicFirst issueLast issueMaya FoxOctober 20082011
Films MovieReleasedDistributorCo-production Tommy and Oscar: The Movie2007MiramaxRai CinemaWinx Club: The Secret of the Lost Kingdom01 Distribution (Italy)Paramount Home Entertainment (International)Winx Club 3D: Magical Adventure 2010Medusa FilmParamount PicturesSky CinemaGladiators of Rome 2012Mediaset PremiumSky CinemaWinx Club: The Mystery of the Abyss201401 DistributionParamount PicturesRai CinemaTiro libero2017Linfa Crowd 2.0Classe ZMedusa FilmThe Girl in the FogDaughter of Mine201801 DistributionRai CinemaMy Big Gay Italian WeddingMedusa FilmNo KidsWhen Mom Is AwayThe Nest2019Into the LabyrinthMe contro Te - Il film: La vendetta del Signor S2020Warner Bros.Cambio tutto!Medusa FilmAmazon Prime VideoColorado FilmWhen Mom Is Away... With the FamilyMe contro Te - Il film: Il mistero della scuola incantata2021Warner Bros.A Classic Horror StoryNetflixColorado FilmMy Name is VendettaMe contro Te - Il film: Persi nel tempo2022Warner Bros.Il mammoneMedusa FilmIl pataffio01 DistributionRai CinemaUMédiaVivo FilmThe Price of FamilyNetflixColorado FilmTre di troppo2023Warner Bros.Me contro Te - Il film: Missione GiunglaMe contro Te - Il film: Vacanze in Transilvania50km all'ora2024Eagle PicturesSony Pictures International ProductionsThe TearsmithNetflixColorado Film
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.
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