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Lyrical Media Expands Into Animation With Acquisition of Line Mileage

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  Published in Media and Entertainment on Tuesday, November 18th 2025 at 0:54 GMT by Deadline

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Lyrical Media Expands into Animation with Strategic Acquisition of Line Mileage and the Appointment of Jacob Robinson to Lead the New Division

In a move that signals its ambition to become a full‑fledged creator of both live‑action and animated content, Lyrical Media has acquired the boutique creative studio Line Mileage and announced the launch of a dedicated animation division. The new division will be headed by veteran animator and storyteller Jacob Robinson, whose track record includes award‑winning work on a slate of celebrated animated projects. The announcement was made through an MSN Entertainment feature that drew on a press release from Lyrical Media, a LinkedIn profile for Robinson, and an overview of Line Mileage’s previous work, all of which provide a fuller picture of the company’s strategic pivot and the creative talent now at its helm.

Lyrical Media: From Documentary‑Style Storytelling to Diversified Content

Founded in 2012, Lyrical Media has built a reputation for producing high‑profile documentaries, biopics, and limited‑series across a variety of platforms. Its flagship titles—The Last Dance (ESPN), Untold (Netflix), and The Queen’s Gambit (HBO) (though the latter was produced by 20th Century Fox)—have earned Emmy nominations, gold awards, and international viewership. The company has always positioned itself as a “storytelling studio” that prioritizes depth and nuance, and its move into animation represents a natural extension of that narrative focus.

“Lyrical has long been committed to telling stories that resonate on an emotional level,” said Lyrical Media chief creative officer Maya Nair in a statement. “By acquiring Line Mileage and building an animation division, we’re expanding the range of mediums through which we can connect with audiences, while staying true to our core philosophy of compelling, character‑driven storytelling.”

The acquisition of Line Mileage—a studio known for its innovative character design and unique visual style—provides Lyrical with the technical infrastructure and creative expertise necessary to produce high‑quality animation. Line Mileage’s portfolio includes the critically acclaimed series Gargoyles Reborn and the short film The Last Ember, which won a Sundance Shorts Award in 2021. By bringing these assets under the Lyrical umbrella, the company gains access to seasoned animators, experienced directors, and a ready library of creative content.

Jacob Robinson: The Creative Visionary Behind the Animation Division

At the heart of Lyrical’s animation strategy is Jacob Robinson, a director and producer whose career has spanned both traditional hand‑drawn animation and cutting‑edge 3‑D CGI. According to his LinkedIn profile, Robinson earned his B.F.A. in Animation from CalArts in 2005 and quickly moved into the industry, first as an animator on The Simpsons (Fox) and later as a supervising director on Disney’s Mickey’s Magical Adventure. He gained national recognition as the creative lead on the Emmy‑nominated Adventure Time: The Great Beyond (Cartoon Network) and has since directed the feature film Dreamscape (2023), which was praised for its “bold visual storytelling” by Variety.

Robinson’s background makes him an ideal candidate to steer Lyrical’s new animation division. His experience spans a wide spectrum—from family‑friendly storytelling to darker, more mature narratives—giving him the flexibility to craft content that can appeal to multiple demographics. In a recent interview with Animation World Network, Robinson expressed enthusiasm for the opportunity: “Lyrical’s commitment to quality storytelling aligns perfectly with my own philosophy. I look forward to creating characters that feel real and stories that feel like they belong.”

Strategic Goals and Project Pipeline

The Lyrical Media article outlines several key objectives for the new animation division:

1. Diversification of Content Across Platforms – The studio plans to target both streaming giants such as Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime Video, as well as traditional broadcast outlets like Nickelodeon and Cartoon Network. The goal is to produce a slate that includes both short‑form series (15‑minute episodes) and full‑length features.

2. Cross‑Genre Storytelling – Leveraging Lyrical’s live‑action expertise, the animation team intends to blend genres—such as blending historical drama with fantastical elements—to create unique narratives that stand out in a crowded market.

3. Strong Partnerships with Major Distributors – Early talks with Disney’s Pixar and DreamWorks Animation indicate potential collaboration on co‑productions, with Lyrical offering strong narrative direction and Robinson’s creative oversight.

4. Talent Development – The division will invest in mentorship programs for emerging animators and writers, aiming to build a pipeline of fresh ideas that reflect contemporary cultural trends.

In terms of specific projects, the press release teased a feature‑length animated film titled Echoes of the Past, slated for 2025, and a pilot for an original series The Midnight Cartographers, which would follow a group of time‑traveling explorers. While details remain sparse, early production documents suggest the film will incorporate a mix of traditional 2‑D animation and 3‑D CGI, a signature style that aligns with Robinson’s expertise.

Industry Context: The Rise of Animation in Premium Content

The decision to expand into animation coincides with broader industry trends. In the past decade, streaming platforms have increasingly invested in animated originals as a means of attracting both younger viewers and nostalgic adults. Disney+ has seen massive success with its “Baby‑Duck” franchise, while Netflix’s Carmen Sandiego and Amazon Prime Video’s The Lord of the Rings: The Animated Series underscore the medium’s profitability. According to a report by Statista, the global animated film market was valued at $23 billion in 2022, with a projected CAGR of 5.7% over the next five years.

Lyrical Media’s strategic acquisition thus positions it to capitalize on this growing demand while differentiating itself through a distinct narrative focus. By combining the storytelling rigor of its live‑action portfolio with the visual flexibility of animation, the company aims to deliver content that is both emotionally resonant and visually captivating.

Conclusion

Lyrical Media’s acquisition of Line Mileage and the launch of an animation division led by Jacob Robinson marks a significant expansion of the studio’s creative capabilities. With a solid foundation in documentary‑style storytelling and a new influx of animation talent, Lyrical is poised to produce a diverse range of animated content that spans family entertainment, adult drama, and experimental storytelling. By tapping into the booming animation market and leveraging its established relationships with streaming platforms, the company is setting itself up for continued growth and industry influence in the coming years.