Bardel Entertainment

Bardel Entertainment is a Canadian animation studio headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia. Established in 1987 by Barry Ward and Delna Bhesania, the company originally operated under the name Bardel Animation, a name derived from the founders' first names. Bardel built its identity as an animation-production partner working on television series, feature films, and other animated content for international clients. The studio's activities extend beyond labor-based animation work. Bardel has been described as participating in the acquisition, development, production, and distribution of animated programming, giving it a role across multiple stages of the animation value chain. Its work has covered a range of formats and styles, including television animation, feature animation, and commercial or other short-form work. The company's operating model is therefore best understood as a combination of animation services and broader production participation rather than as a consumer-facing character or merchandise brand. Bardel is particularly associated with animation work on recognizable international properties. Public references identify the studio with Rick and Morty, Teen Titans Go!, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and The Dragon Prince. These credits place Bardel within the global television and streaming animation ecosystem and illustrate its work with established entertainment properties as well as serialized animated programming. The studio's reputation is tied primarily to production capability, pipeline execution, and collaboration with rights holders, broadcasters, and other media companies. A significant ownership change occurred on October 5, 2015, when Bardel was acquired by Rainbow, the Italian animation studio associated with Iginio Straffi. This transaction connected Bardel's Vancouver-based production operation with Rainbow's wider animation group. Bardel continued to be identified as a Canadian animation studio after the acquisition, while operating within an international corporate context. The available reference material does not establish a separate public stock listing, standalone financial results, or a distinct consumer-product business for Bardel. Leadership changes were reported in September 2021, when Tina Chow was appointed chief executive officer and Richard Grieve was appointed chief operating officer. Their appointments indicate a formal executive structure focused on the continued management of the studio's production and business activities. Bardel remains known primarily as a business-to-business animation company serving global entertainment clients. Its positioning is that of an experienced, internationally connected animation-production partner with capabilities spanning series, films, and other animated content.

Bardel Entertainment was founded in Vancouver, British Columbia, in 1987 by Barry Ward and Delna Bhesania. The name Bardel combines elements of the founders' names and reflects the studio's origins as an independently established Canadian animation company. The business was formerly known as Bardel Animation. From its Vancouver base, Bardel developed as a production studio supporting animated programming for international clients. Its work has included television series, films, and other forms of animation. In addition to providing animation services, the studio has been described as involved in acquiring, developing, producing, and distributing animated programming. This broader scope distinguishes Bardel from a narrowly defined subcontracting facility, although its public identity remains closely associated with animation production and service work. Bardel's profile grew through involvement with established entertainment properties and internationally distributed animated series. Publicly identified credits include Rick and Morty, Teen Titans Go!, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and The Dragon Prince. These projects represent different production contexts and demonstrate the studio's participation in North American and international animation workflows. The available reference material does not provide a complete filmography or enough information to establish the precise nature of Bardel's contribution to every named title. On October 5, 2015, Rainbow acquired Bardel. Rainbow is an Italian animation studio associated with Iginio Straffi. The acquisition placed Bardel within a larger animation group while retaining its Canadian studio identity and Vancouver base. The reference material does not specify the transaction value, financing, employment impact, or detailed post-acquisition operating arrangements, so those aspects are not included here. In September 2021, Bardel appointed Tina Chow as chief executive officer and Richard Grieve as chief operating officer. The appointments marked a reported change in the company's senior leadership and provided dedicated executive oversight for the studio's corporate and operating activities. Bardel's historical development can therefore be summarized in three stages: its establishment as a Vancouver animation studio in 1987; its expansion into internationally visible animation production and programming work; and its integration into Rainbow following the 2015 acquisition. The studio's present positioning is based on production expertise, collaboration with global entertainment companies, and participation in animated television, film, and related content. No reliable reference supplied for this dossier establishes Bardel as a separately listed company or provides public standalone financial figures.

1. 2021New executive leadership appointed

   In September, Tina Chow becomes CEO and Richard Grieve becomes COO.

   Source
2. 2015Rainbow acquires Bardel

   On October 5, Rainbow purchases Bardel, connecting the Canadian studio with the Italian animation group associated with Iginio Straffi.

   Source
3. 1987Bardel is founded in Vancouver

   Barry Ward and Delna Bhesania establish the animation studio in Vancouver, British Columbia.

   Source

An internationally connected Canadian animation-production studio serving entertainment companies and rights holders across television, film, streaming, and other animated formats.

• Animated television productionTelevision animation

  Bardel's core activity includes animation work for serialized television programming. The studio has been associated with internationally recognized animated series, including Rick and Morty, Teen Titans Go!, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and The Dragon Prince. The available references do not specify the exact production responsibilities for each title.

• Animated feature and film productionFilm animation

  The studio works across animated film as well as television. Its film-related role is described generally as animation production and service work; the supplied references do not identify a complete list of feature titles or define Bardel's contribution to each film.

• Animation production servicesAnimation services1987

  Bardel provides animation services to global entertainment clients. These services may support different production formats and styles, with the studio operating as a business-to-business production partner rather than primarily as a consumer-facing brand.

• 2021Refresh senior operating leadershipStrategy

  Bardel reported a senior-management change in September 2021.

  What changed. The company appointed Tina Chow as CEO and Richard Grieve as COO.

  Aftermath. The appointments established the reported executive leadership structure for the company. No further strategic or financial outcome is specified in the available reference.

  Source
• 2015Join Rainbow through acquisitionM&A

  Bardel operated as a Canadian animation studio with international production activities before being acquired by Rainbow.

  What changed. Rainbow purchased Bardel on October 5, 2015.

  Aftermath. Bardel became part of Rainbow's wider animation group while continuing to be identified as a Vancouver-based Canadian studio. No transaction value or detailed integration terms are provided in the available source.

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• 2021Bardel appoints Tina Chow as CEO and Richard Grieve as COO

  Bardel announced new senior leadership in September 2021, appointing Tina Chow as chief executive officer and Richard Grieve as chief operating officer.

  Leadership change
  Source
• 2015Rainbow acquires Bardel Entertainment

  Bardel was purchased by Rainbow, the Italian animation studio associated with Iginio Straffi. The transaction brought the Vancouver-based animation studio into Rainbow's international corporate structure.

  M&A
  Source

1. Bardel Entertainment
2. Bardel Entertainment official website