A landmark agreement has been struck that could see some of BBC Worldwide’s biggest brands feature prominently in a new entertainment resort near London supported by leading Hollywood studio Paramount Pictures.
London Resort Company Holdings (LRCH), the company behind the multi-billion pound London Paramount Entertainment Resort in North Kent, has signed a Development Agreement with the commercial arm of the BBC to feature their intellectual property at the resort alongside leading Hollywood studio Paramount Pictures.
The partnership agreement would mean that some of the best loved and celebrated programmes and characters to appear on British TV and radio in recent decades could be brought to life at a new world-class entertainment destination.
David Testa, Director of LRCH, 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 its programmes will be present at the new London Paramount Entertainment Resort, which will combine the glamour of Hollywood with the best of British culture.”
The Development Agreement is the first step towards a formal partnership between BBC Worldwide and the London Paramount Entertainment Resort, which is currently earmarked for an Easter 2020 opening date. LRCH already has a separate agreement in place with Paramount Pictures, the oldest major Hollywood studio in existence, which will allow the resort to access over 3,000 films including iconic movies such as Mission: Impossible, Star Trek, The Godfather and The Italian Job.
“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,” added Stephen Davies, Director Live Events, BBC Worldwide.
Mike Bartok, Executive Vice President Parks & Resorts, Paramount Pictures said, “It is outstanding to be working with a globally recognised brand with such a rich, respected history. We see London Paramount as a pioneer in the delivery of an outstanding partnership entertainment experience.”
The BBC was a winner at the recent World Branding Awards in London, winning “Brand of the Year” in the broadcasting category for the United Kingdom.
