Thunderbirds Are Go! gets second series even before first airs

Thunderbirds Are Go: Thunderbird 1. Thunderbirds © 2014 ITV

Thunderbirds Are Go: Thunderbird 1. Thunderbirds © 2014 ITV

 

UK broadcaster CITV has commissioned ITV Studios and New Zealand-based Pukeko Pictures to make a second series of Thunderbirds Are Go, even before the first has premiered.

News of the second commission breaks just as the official web site for the show is launched at www.thunderbirds.com (You haven’t missed much – but you can sign up for the show’s newsletter).

Thunderbirds Are Go Web Site - 19/12/2014

The new official Thunderbirds web site has launched – if you wait long enough, you’ll see the Earth change as it moves in orbit, but there’s not much else going on just yet!

 

The second 26 x 30’ series of Thunderbirds Are Go, which is reinvention of the original 1960s series co-created by Gerry and Sylvia Anderson, will air in 2016 and 2017. The first series is set to premiere on ITV and CITV in spring 2015.

“The unique mix of CGI animation and incredible model sets gives each episode of Thunderbirds Are Go a theatrical feel rarely seen in children’s TV that has generated huge interest globally,” enthused Steve Green, EVP, kids’ content and distribution at ITV Studios Global Entertainment. “Having 52 episodes of this quality takes our discussions to a new level.”

ITV Studios Global Entertainment has pre-sold the series to international broadcasters including TVNZ in New Zealand, Australia’s Nine Network, Noga in Israel and pan-Arab broadcaster MBC. A 52-episode run is very likely to make the series more attractive to potential US buyers, which would confirm its expected commercial success.

 

The Tracy brothers - ready for action. Image © ITV

The Tracy brothers – ready for action. Image © ITV

 

“I’m delighted to confirm that a second series of Thunderbirds Are Go has been commissioned,” added Jamila Metran, head of programming for CITV. “We are so excited for the launch of our reboot of the iconic children’s show and look forward to bringing the adventures of the five Tracy brothers to our audiences in 2015.”

As we’ve previously reported, a number of licenses for the show have been agreed, including one for a new magazine and annual, published by DC Thomson, toys from Vivid Imaginations and a series of activity, novelty, sticker and storybooks that will be available across both print and digital formats from Simon & Schuster.

 



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  1. Thunderbirds Are Go: The Tracy Brothers Revealed
  2. Thunderbirds Are Go Magazine still in the works, out later in year

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