ITV Studios Global Entertainment (ITVS GE) has revelaed that Global Licensing (NZ) has been appointed as licensing agent for new action adventure series, Thunderbirds Are Go in New Zealand.
Global will oversee the development and expansion of the Thunderbirds Are Go licensing programme in the region, where the brand is firmly established and widely popular.
ITV Studios Global Entertainment SVP head of global merchandising Trudi Hayward said in a statement: “We are thrilled to be teaming up with Global and are confident that their extensive experience will be invaluable to launching Thunderbirds Are Go in what is a key territory for the brand. Viewers will be delighted with the launch of the new series through our strong broadcast partner TVNZ and the signing of a leading local toy partner that will bring an exciting and innovative toy line to young fans in the region.”
As part of the new deal, Global has worked with Vivid Imaginations, the master toy partner for Thunderbirds Are Go, to appoint Planet Funas the local distributor in New Zealand which will see ThunderbirdsAre Go toys roll out across the territory soon. The deal covers figurines and vehicles, play sets, diecast, role play and dress up.In a further agreement, TVNZ has picked up the broadcast rights to the highly anticipated new TV series and will air on TV2 from Sunday 12 April 2015.
Global Licensing (NZ) director Mark Paul added: “New Zealand has a long history and affection for Thunderbirds, as well as past merchandising and promotional success, so we are very excited about the launch of the new Thunderbirds Are Go TV series. We expect a whole new generation of fans will come to love the brand as much as their parents and grandparents have over the years. We look forward to working with ITV Studios, Pukeko Pictures and all other partners on this exciting new project.”
Thunderbirds Are Go is the exciting new remake of the classic 1960s TV series, timed to coincide with the 50th anniversary later this year and co-produced between ITV Studios and New Zealand’s Pukeko Pictures in association with world famous Weta Workshop. The first series of 26×22 minute episodes recently made its broadcast debut in the UK on ITV and is produced using a unique mixture of CGI animation and live-action miniatures.