Dr Who, Top Gear and Sherlock primed for Paramount London after BBC strikes licensing deal
by Tom Anstey | 10 Dec 2014
Dr Who is one of the most likely IPs to be featured in the Paramount theme park / BBC
The BBC is the latest brand to be incorporated into the Paramount London theme park, opening up a host of new IPs which could potentially be included in the development such as Doctor Who, Top Gear and Sherlock.
Earlier this year the BBC made its first step into the theme park world with the launch of CBeebies Land at Alton Towers. The new deal would see games and rides, based on the corporation’s most popular shows, come to life at the new £2bn (US$3.2bn, €2.5bn) theme park and resort development, scheduled to open in 2020.
"We’re always looking for opportunities to extend fans’ enjoyment of their favourite shows and the idea behind this resort is a really exciting way of celebrating the very special place the BBC has in British culture,” said Stephen Davies, director of Live Events at BBC Worldwide.
London Resort Company Holdings (LRCH) – the company behind the project – already has a separate agreement in place with Paramount Pictures which will allow the resort exclusive access to more than 3,000 film brands, including iconic movies such as Mission: Impossible, Star Trek, The Godfather and The Italian Job.
"The development agreement between LRCH and the BBC is a commitment to BBC intellectual property featuring at the entertainment resort in some form or another," said a spokesperson for Paramount speaking to AM2.
"Notionally it is for all BBC Worldwide brands, but as the design of the resort itself progresses both LRCH and BBC will hold further discussions as to what specific brands will feature.
"At this stage, no firm decision has been taken on specific brands and how they will feature – be it themed attractions or the use of BBC material and programmes at the entertainment facilities at the resort."
In a statement, David Testa, executive director for London Paramount, said: "We are delighted to bring the world's leading public service broadcaster on board this project. The BBC has played an instrumental role in shaping the British entertainment industry for nearly a century, creating some of the most iconic and cherished characters on TV and radio. It seems only right therefore that it’s programmes will be present at the new resort, which will combine the glamour of Hollywood with the best of British culture."
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The BBC is the latest brand to be incorporated into the Paramount London theme park, opening up a host of new IPs which could potentially be included in the development such as Doctor Who, Top Gear and Sherlock. Earlier this year the BBC made its first step into the theme park world with the launch of CBeebies Land at Alton Towers. The new deal would see games and rides, based
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