Anderson Entertainment eyes sci-fi cosplay move with Space: 1999 t-shirts

Anderson Entertainment is helping the sci-fi fandom scene into hyperdrive with the launch of a range of cosplay t-shirts inspired by the crew uniforms worn in the live action classic, Space: 1999.

Founded by Gerry Anderson – the name behind iconic shows including Thunderbirds and Space: 1999, as well as the 2005 reimagining of Captain Scarlet, Anderson Entertainment has been eyeing strong partnerships and product roll out to expand its pop culture offering and growth its presence on a global scale.

The Space: 1999 cosplay long-sleeve t-shirts are replicas of uniforms worn by the crew on Moonbase Alpha. The collection has been designed to closely match the original outfits worn by the show’s cast. As in the show, the colours on the sleeves refer to the different ranks and characters in year one of the iconic 1970s Gerry Anderson series.

The collection begins with the black colourway for John Koenig, leader of Moonbase Alpha, and orange for Alan Carter, chief pilot. These will be followed by red (Main Mission/Command Centre) and purple (security staff).

The outfit’s move into the cosplay category comes hard on the heels of a new agreement with rightsholder ITV Studios, which allows Anderson Entertainment to expand its ranges of product derived from its classic brands. This agreement will enable a wide range of new and innovative products inspired by the best-loved Gerry Anderson creations.

The online Gerry Anderson store, whose existing range includes toys, apparel, model kits, gifts, calendars and homewares, is expanding its category offering significantly this year to meet demand. A major move into publishing, focusing on hardbacks, coffee table books, comic anthologies, series guides, audiobooks and more, is already under way.

Writer, producer, director, and MD of Anderson Entertainment, Jamie Anderson, said: “Gerry Anderson fans have been asking whether the stylish Space: 1999 look will be made available to wear for a long time. Well, the first-ever t-shirts in the classic style of the hit show’s uniforms are now on sale, with more designs on the way. We’re delighted with these designs – and we think the massive Gerry Anderson fanbase will be too.”

Anderson Entertainment is a content production company set up by the late Gerry Anderson, creator of Supercar, Fireball XL5, Stingray, Thunderbirds, Thunderbirds Are Go, Captain Scarlet And The Mysterons, Thunderbird 6, Joe 90 and The Secret Service, along with live-action productions Doppelgänger, UFO, The Protectors, Space:1999 and The Day After Tomorrow, as well as the more recent Terrahawks, Dick Spanner, Space Precinct, Lavender Castle and New Captain Scarlet.

Anderson Entertainment hails first Gerry Anderson Day and international success

Anderson Entertainment has expressed confidence in the growing interest around its portfolio of sci-fi and adventure themed properties and partnerships, having launched the first ever Gerry Anderson Day to much success across the UK and international space.

With more and more of Gerry Anderson’s classic shows  – including the likes of Thunderbirds and Space: 1999 – appearing on TV and streaming platforms, as well as consistently strong sales across DVD and Blu-Ray and new series launches and audiobooks on the way, the appeal of the Anderson Entertainment line-up “remains as strong as ever.”

The firm is currently celebrating the launch and international success of the first Gerry Anderson Day, an event held on April 14th – the same date as the sci-fi world creator’s birthday – that saw streaming and linear TV services, as well as stars, fans, and media platforms line up to support the man and his creations.

Appropriately enough, it was the classic shows that took centre stage on the day. BritBox, the subscription-based streaming service for great British telly and iconic films, offered its selection of the ten greatest episodes from Gerry Anderson’s 60-year career, along with bespoke introductory content featuring exclusive previously unheard audio from Anderson himself, produced by Anderson Entertainment.

Craig Morris, head of editorial, BritBox UK, said: “It was brilliant to be part of such a special day. I felt that it all fitted together perfectly. We have had a fantastic response to the introductions – and a huge spike in viewing to Gerry Anderson content. We look forward to future collaborations.”

Shout! Factory TV offered a 24-hour feast of some of Gerry Anderson’s masterworks broadcasting to fans across North America, and the Network Distributing streaming service offered a five-hour watch party, while Forces TV offered fans multiple platforms on which to vote for their favourite episode of UFO, which was broadcast on the day.

Adam Hardwick, deputy director TV & Cinemas, BFBS, said: “Forces TV really enjoyed being a part of Gerry Anderson Day and the fan engagement on all platforms was tremendous.”

There was also a Terrahawks listen-along organised by audiobooks producer Big Finish Productions, a long-standing partner of Anderson Entertainment.

Steve Berry, head of marketing and publicity, said: “Big Finish celebrated the excitement and enduring legacy of the worlds of Gerry Anderson and this day was the perfect opportunity for us to reach audiences worldwide with the stories they love.”

Online celebrations were led by a special edition 90-minute livestream edition of FAB Live – the Gerry Anderson video podcast hosted by Richard James and Gerry’s son Jamie Anderson – which welcomed to the 90-minute event writers, designers and fans, plus the two stars of the new Thunderbirds audiobook Thunderbirds: Terror from the Stars, voice actor and impressionist Jon Culshaw, star of Dead Ringers and Spitting Image, and actress Genevieve Gaunt, also known as Pansy Parkinson in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, and Wilhelmina ‘Willow’ Moreno Henstridge in the popular soap opera The Royals.

As Jamie Anderson, himself a celebrated writer and producer and MD of Anderson Entertainment, said: “We trended on Twitter – for #GerryAndersonDay and Thunderbirds throughout the day, we had our most concurrent live viewers ever – and we saw quadruple the usual traffic to our sites.”

Radio coverage on both local and national stations, as well as magazine features and newspaper articles complemented online coverage in the run-up to the big day.

Plans are already being made for the 2022 event when broadcasting initiatives can be safely accompanied by live events, special appearances, retail support and new product launches.

Jamie Anderson added: “Dad’s optimism, vision and love of exciting, innovative entertainment have always been at the heart of his appeal and, judging from the response to the first-ever Gerry Anderson Day, that appeal remains as strong as ever. Our aim next year is to build on this success and to make full use of the opportunities for live events and get-togethers we didn’t have first time round. So we’re now raising a glass to the first-ever Gerry Anderson Day – and looking forward to an even bigger event in 2022.”

BritBox expands its Anderson Entertainment offering as SVOD audiences grow for Thunderbirds creator

BritBox, the subscription-based streaming service, is expanding its Gerry Anderson offering as part of its popular Old School collection of cult kids’ TV shows.

Gerry Anderson, the founder of Anderson Entertainment, is the name behind iconic shows like Thunderbirds and Space:1999, as well as more modern hits like Space Precinct and the 2005 re-imagining of Captain Scarlet.

The entertainment studio had previously secured a broadcast deal with BritBox for four of its best-loved series: the original Thunderbirds, Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons, UFO, and Space 1999. Following the success of the partnership and the growing audience numbers for Anderson Entertainment productions, BritBox is expanding its Gerry Anderson output.

Already, 2021 has seen the addition of 1964’s Stingray (one of the earliest Anderson hits and the first British TV series to be produced entirely in colour) and 1969’s The Secret Service, a mix of live action and puppetry and the last Anderson series to use puppets before the arrival of Terrahawks in 1983.

Further expansion is expected over the course of the coming year, building on BritBox’s portfolio of British TV from the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, and Channel 5, as well as its library of iconic films, remastered classic, and BritBox Originals.

Meanwhile, a multitude of international SVOD platforms have underlined the enduring popularity of classic Anderson Entertainment series. Terrahawks on Amazon Prime and shows on other platforms like Shout Factory, Comet and Pluto, as well, of course, as BritBox, are helping to build a new, younger following alongside the longer-term fanbase.

Linear programming is also getting in on the act through Forces TV and the Horror Channel, while shows on DVD and Blu-Ray continue to enjoy impressive sales.

Anderson Entertainment’s growth in broadcast and streaming partners will now combine with the arrival of new content and an expanded direct-to-consumer and retail merchandising offering to grow the company’s market presence throughout 2021. 

The strategy is being led by the company’s highly successful e-commerce site, the Gerry Anderson Store, which boasts a growing list both of licensee-supplied product and new items developed and created by Anderson Entertainment.

A new corporate website, www.anderson-entertainment.co.uk, was launched in 2021 to support this ongoing expansion.

Jamie Anderson, MD of Anderson Entertainment, said: “We’re thrilled that BritBox, the premier home for the best of British creativity has extended its Gerry Anderson offering. This confirms the continuing strength of the Anderson brand among viewers of all ages, a strength that will underpin our ongoing expansion strategy for the coming year.”

Craig Morris, programming and scheduling lead for BritBox, added: “We’ve been delighted with the huge popularity of Gerry Anderson’s shows on BritBox and are proud to be working with the team at Anderson Entertainment to bring these beloved TV classics together on a streaming platform for the first time.”

Anderson Entertainment plans portfolio expansion following deal with ITV Studios

Anderson Entertainment, the content production company set up by the late Gerry Anderson, has signed a new license agreement with ITV Studios, to expand the Gerry and Sylvia Anderson portfolio into apparel, publishing, toys and figures, homeware and giftware – and then sell products worldwide.

Anderson Entertainment’s portfolio is home to iconic retro and heritage properties such as Thunderbirds, Captain Scarlet, UFO, and Space: 1999.

Today, with Gerry’s son Jamie, a respected writer and producer, as its managing director, Anderson Entertainment develops its own IP and projects from its founder’s personal archive, as well as manages his estate and existing works. Anderson Entertainment has also developed new content for delivery across a variety of viewing and audio platforms.

Another important part of Anderson Entertainment’s business is its ecommerce offering – the Official Gerry Anderson Store, which sells and makes official and exclusive merchandise available to Anderson fans across the globe. The store has been trading for five years, selling licensed merchandise and a number of exclusive products. Its range encompasses such categories as DVD, Blu-ray, audio, toys, collectibles, clothing and accessories, books, comics, homeware and giftware

Under the terms of the new agreement with rightsholder ITV Studios, Anderson Entertainment is now able to build on the global recognition of the Gerry and Sylvia Anderson portfolio. Importantly, the new agreement also enables the company to build sales opportunities with other retail partners.

Recent years have seen a strong growth in the popularity of the classic Gerry and Sylvia Anderson hits and growing demand for new content from Anderson Entertainment. Product demand has also grown; sales from the Official Gerry Anderson Store are already on course to double the 2019 figure.

Jamie Anderson said: “We’re delighted to have come to this agreement with ITV Studios, which retains its interest in a group of properties with massive revenue-producing potential, while growth is driven by the instantly recognizable Anderson name and iconic brands – many of them known and loved around the world for more than 50 years.”

Christina Lima, VP global franchise management and creative services at ITV Studios, added: “ITV Studios has been working with Anderson Entertainment for some time now, and it’s very clear to us that they have a loyal, engaged and growing fanbase around the world.

“They are the perfect partner to drive consumer product development and sales in an authentic and sensitive way which balances a commercial approach with respect for a group of highly respected heritage brands.”