Belgium-based Studio 100 has acquired a 68% stake in German kids firm m4e in a deal that makes the combined entities one of the largest kids and family entertainment and content companies in Europe.

Completion of the transaction is still pending approval from the German Federal Cartel Office.

Under terms of the deal, m4e will continue investing in new content and global expansion efforts, focusing both on local and global distribution. The company’s library currently contains 2,300 episodes of kids fare, including Wissper, The Beatrix Girls and Lizzie McGuire.

The move comes amid heightened global competition in the kids space, as well as the ongoing digitization of content, according to m4e CEO Hans Ulrich Stoef, who will stay in this role.

Studio 100 has a large library of content that includes Maya the Bee (pictured), Vic the Viking and Heidi. It also just recently introduced Arthur and the Minimoys.

The last year has been a big one for Studio 100, which launched a new kids channel in April called beIN, sold 200 half hours to Czech pubcaster Ceska and teamed up with Red Kite for a new animated feature film called Princess Emmy – The Movie.