Strauss Zelnick is paying $126.5 million for teen entertainment giant Alloy, which helped create, “Gossip Girl,” and “Vampire Diaries,” TV shows that both air on CW network.

The acquisition values the company at $9.80 per share. Shares in Alloy, which also runs kids TV service Channel One, closed at $9.51 yesterday, up 10 percent. The move signals an increasing willingness for private-equity companies to invest in the creative sector.

New York-based Zelnick Media is leading the acquisition for several co-investors including Natixis Caspian Private Equity, Rosemont Solebury Co-investment Fund and GenSpring Family Offices. As part of the change former Nickelodeon chief, Geraldine Laybourne and former Marvel COO, Bill Jemas, will join Alloy.

Alloy’s management — CEO Matt Diamond and COO Jim Johnson — will remain in place. Zelnick Media also owns Take Two, the company behind video game “Grand Theft Auto.”

MacQuarie acted as advisers to Alloy.