ITV Studios and Pukeko Pictures Unveils Digital Developments

ITV Studios and Pukeko Pictures Unveils Digital Developments

Partnership with BeyondTheStory will see launch of new Thunderbirds Are Go interactive reading app in October 2015

WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND – FEBRUARY 18 2015 – ITV STUDIOS GLOBAL ENTERTAINMENT (ITVS GE) continues to accelerate its licensing drive for the highly anticipated boys’ action adventure series Thunderbirds Are Go, with news today of digital developments ahead of the show’s broadcast debut this Autumn.

In partnership with New Zealand’s Pukeko Pictures, the co-producers of Thunderbirds Are Go, ITVS GE has teamed up with innovative digital companyBeyondTheStory – a leading provider of rich, interactive storytelling apps, 3D books and eBooks - to produce exciting new digital content that will support the upcoming Thunderbirds Are Go TV series.

This engaging app will give fans of all ages the opportunity to extend their viewing experience of the Thunderbirds Are Go TV series while also encouraging younger players to learn and read in an entertaining way. By gamifying the reading experience, BeyondTheStory’s innovative technology enables new ways of learning and interaction for children to enjoy both individually and together with the family.

Natalie Harvey, VP of Retail, Promotions and Digital at ITVS GE remarks, “We’re delighted to be working with BeyondTheStory. Their specialism with media-rich and interactive technology lends itself perfectly to Thunderbirds Are Go and this app will give fans a unique way to connect with the series between episodes and beyond. It’s important for us to reach audiences of all ages through a variety of media platforms, enhancing the offering we’re making with thunderbirds.com; and this exciting deal will no doubt delight both young audiences and fans of the original Thunderbirds show.”

Jen Porter, CEO of BeyondTheStory comments "We are proud to be working with the best of British and New Zealand film and entertainment talent, creating one unified experience across multiple devices, multiple geographies and multiple languages. The new technologies we bring to the table are outstanding - never before experienced on a tablet, however the really unique story is that everyone involved in the making of this series is an ardent fan, and it is this blend of technical and creative passion that will make both the television and episodic app series an outstanding experience for children around the globe."

Debuting on TV screens from this Autumn in Australia and New Zealand, Thunderbirds Are Go is produced using a unique mixture of CGI animation and live-action miniatures. The new series aims to bring the Thunderbirds brand to a new generation of children aged 5-11 years and to new international audiences.

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