As for My Little Pony, the most recent Hasbro iteration did not seem to connect with audiences across all media, including TV, and the franchise faltered at the gate. The reason IDW has kept it is that it seems, no one at a similar level wanted it.
Ouch. I mean, I suspected as much. But, still hearing someone else say it...ouch.
Like I've said before, most people getting into the comic book industry want to do superheroes. Not ponies. They just aren't used to writing that genre. No matter if the kid's comics market is booming or not, it's just not something most creatives really WANT to do.
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IDW and Hasbro have come to an agreement to slow down into 2025 while Hasbro works out what they'll do next. This is why IDW have rushed out the remaining Pony content on the books before then. While IDW is waiting to hear Hasbro's next moves.
This is, unfortunately, believable. Hasbro's had some..."hiccups" managing ALL their brands the last few years. I can totally believe that they just don't know what to do or what direction they want to go in, and are suffering from severe decision paralysis. No one seems to have a clear vision for where they want to take the company and it's brands. Just look at what they've managed to do with Power Rangers and Dungeons and Dragons.
So, from the sounds of things, IDW might not be losing the license. It's just that Hasbro has no idea what to do next.