ITV Studios reaches IP deal with upcoming London Resort project
by Tom Anstey | 29 Apr 2019
The development was originally backed by Paramount, which pulled out of the project in 2017
– Steve Norris, LRCH chair
London Resort Company Holdings (LRCH) has teamed up with ITV Studios on its multi-billion pound theme park project, announcing a new partnership that will see ITV's world-famous content transformed into unique attractions at the resort when it opens in 2024.
The addition of ITV to the London Resort's IP lineup will unlock a host of potential brands – from the likes of I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! and Saturday Night Takeaway to Shaun of the Dead and Hell's Kitchen.
"This world-class project will offer fans a whole new way to experience our brand", said Steve Green, EVP Kids Content and Distribution, ITV Studios Global Entertainment.
"ITV Studios creates more than TV, building global franchises loved by generations of families, and we look forward to seeing our biggest global brands brought to life on such a grand scale in the UK."
The resort project itself will feature two parks set over 2.16sq km (0.83sq mi). More than 0.8sq km (0.31sq mi) of the plot will be dedicated to rides, experiences and an entertainment district with 3,500 hotel rooms, according to the developer.
Formerly the London Paramount project, the £3.2bn (US$4bn, €3.6bn) development in Kent, UK, was being lined up with major IPs such as Star Trek, The Godfather and Mission Impossible, but after the project announced a surprise split from the film studio LRCH started to explore new IPs, confirming the project would still go ahead.
LRCH already has agreements with the BBC to use IP from Dr Who, Top Gear and Sherlock. Ardman Animations, which most famously created Wallace and Gromit, have reportedly now also pulled out of the project.
"To create a world-class destination, you have to work with world-class partners and ITV Studios ticks every box", said Steve Norris, LRCH chair.
"ITV has properties which have never been transformed into truly unique experiences. That’s the vision and I’m delighted to welcome them on board for what promises to be an epic journey."
London Resort Company Holdings ITV Studios theme park London Resort Steve Green London Paramount Steve Norris ITV09 Nov 2018
Keltbray moves into Kent theme park project
21 Jun 2017
Paramount splits from £3.2bn Kent theme park project
14 Feb 2017
Senior shake up drives London Paramount project forward with new appointments
03 Jun 2016
London Paramount making 'good progress' despite setbacks, says developers
London Resort Company Holdings (LRCH) has teamed up with ITV Studios on its multi-billion pound theme park project, announcing a new partnership that will see ITV's world-famous content transformed into unique attractions at the resort when it opens in 2024. The addition of ITV to the London Resort's IP lineup will unlock a host of potential brands – from the likes of I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!
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