Best-loved brand confirmed for new Alton Towers Resort attraction
Halifax, NS - 6 January 2014 - DHX Media, a leading independent creator, producer, distributor and licensor of children’s entertainment content, has signed an agreement with BBC Worldwide and Merlin Entertainments plc, Europe’s biggest visitor attraction operator (and second in the world), to license rights to its hit property In the Night Garden for the new Alton Towers Resort attraction CBeebies Land.
The deal will bring to life some of the audience’s favourite friends and elements from the popular series, which airs on CBeebies in the UK, and will create exciting new branded experiences for preschool fans including a magical boat ride through a “real” woodland Night Garden.
CBeebies Land, a pioneering collaboration and partnership between BBC Worldwide and Merlin Entertainments plc, will open at Alton Towers Resort, the UK’s No. 1 theme park resort, in May 2014 with a five acre site dedicated to live appearances, play areas and hands-on activities for little ones.
Stephen Gould, Commercial Director at DHX Media said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to bring the much-loved In the Night Garden brand to preschool fans and their families in a wholly new interactive and engaging way. We are extremely excited to be working in partnership with BBC Worldwide, Merlin Entertainments and Alton Towers on this new venture. In the Night Garden is the ideal “draw” brand to provide a fun, nurturing, inspiring and immersive environment for CBeebies Land and its visitors.”
Katherine Duckworth, Head of Consumer Marketing at the Alton Towers Resort, comments: “Our In the Night Garden Magical Boat Ride will take guests on a journey to discover Iggle Piggle, Upsy Daisy and Makka Pakka. Children can watch and listen to the sights and sounds of the programme as In the Night Garden is brought to life.”
Mat Way, Head of Licensing & Attractions, Live Events, BBC Worldwide, added: “In The Night Garden is a key CBeebies brand and its inclusion at CBeebies Land ensures fans of the enchanting pre-school series can now enjoy an immersive new experience with Makka Pakka, Upsy Daisy, Iggle Piggle and friends at Alton Towers.”
In the Night Garden (100x30’) continues to cast its spell over children and their parents.
In a recent poll by over 30,000 Radio Times viewers In the Night Garden was voted the 4th in a survey of the most popular children’s programme of all time.
The show has been consistently on air since its launch in 2007, and DHX Media has recently announced a renewal deal with broadcaster CBeebies ensuring the series will continue to be broadcast until at least Spring 2021. It has also achieved international success, airing in 36 countries and translated into 19 languages.
In addition, In the Night Garden characters have regularly featured in the UK Top 10 for licensed toys for both boys and girls. Going from strength to strength is the new toy range from new UK master toy licensee, Golden Bear, whose range includes plush and plastic toys, play-sets, figures, developmental toys, vehicles and role-play products. Golden Bear’s Lullaby Igglepiggle is a joint winner of the ‘Toys and Games 0-3 years category’ in the Practical Preschool Magazine Awards 2013.
In the Night Garden consists of 100 x 30 minute episodes. The series takes children on an imaginative journey to meet a host of wonderfully silly characters with unusual names like Iggle Piggle, Makka Pakka and Upsy Daisy, who live together within a happy and caring community.
For more information, please contact:
Aimee Norman at DDA Blueprint PR for DHX Media
Tel: +44 (0) 20 8985 4708 or aimee@ddablueprint.com
About DHX Media
DHX Media (www.dhxmedia.com) is a leader in the creation, production and licensing of family entertainment rights. DHX Media owns, markets and distributes 9,500 half hours of children's entertainment content, and exploits owned properties through its consumer products licensing business. DHX Media is recognized for brands such as Yo Gabba Gabba!, Caillou, Teletubbies, In the Night Garden, Inspector Gadget, Johnny Test and Super WHY!. DHX Media's full-service international licensing agency, Copyright Promotions Licensing Group, (CPLG), represents numerous entertainment, sport and design brands. DHX Media has offices in Toronto, Los Angeles, Vancouver, Halifax, London, Paris, Barcelona, Milan, Munich and Amsterdam and is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange.
About Merlin Entertainments plc
MERLIN ENTERTAINMENTS plc is the leading name in location-based, family entertainment, and has seen the most successful and dynamic growth of any company in the sector over the last five years. Europe’s Number 1 and the world’s second-largest visitor attraction operator, Merlin now operates 99 attractions, eight hotels/three holiday villages in 22 countries and across four continents. The company aims to deliver memorable and rewarding experiences to its 54 million visitors worldwide, through its iconic global and local brands, and the commitment and passion of its managers and more than 22,000 employees.
Among Merlin’s attractions are - SEA LIFE, Madame Tussauds, LEGOLAND, The EDF Energy London Eye, Dungeons, Gardaland, LEGOLAND Discovery Centres, Alton Towers Resort, Warwick Castle, THORPE PARK, Chessington World of Adventures Resort, Blackpool Tower, Heide Park Resort, WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo, Sydney Tower Eye and SKYWALK, Siam Ocean World and Busan Aquarium. All brands which are distinctive, challenging and innovative – and which have great potential for growth in the future. Visit www.merlinentertainments.biz for more information.