Sky Kids welcomes the Brilliant World of Tom Gates from TG Entertainment
Sky Kids welcomes the Brilliant World of Tom Gates from TG Entertainment
Sky today announced the commission of the new children’s series, The Brilliant World of Tom Gates, from TG Entertainment Limited, which will be available on Sky’s on demand service Sky Kids in the UK and Ireland.
A Sky Original kids series featuring a modular mixed-media magazine format, The Brilliant World of Tom Gates is based on the award-winning, multi-million-copy-bestselling Tom Gates books written and illustrated by Liz Pichon (who also presents the series) and published by Scholastic.
The 20 x 11’ series, primarily aimed at kids aged 7-12, is set to premiere on Sky Kids UK in early 2021, coinciding with the 10th anniversary year of the first Tom Gates book and the publication of the 18th in the series, Tom Gates: Ten Tremendous Tales.
Celebrating creativity and fun, the series brings to life the unique and comical world of Tom Gates. A combination of 2D and stop-motion animation with live action, it – like the books – blends Tom’s crazy humour with craft ideas and tips and tricks that kids and adults will love to recreate, along with amazing interactive games, gags and catchy songs, that feature in some of the 18 books in the series, to join in with. Tom and friends pop-up and interact throughout, while Liz Pichon herself, who is executive producer and working closely with the whole team to bring to life Tom’s world in every fabulous detail, shares tips on how to draw the characters from the books.
Liz Pichon’s award-winning Tom Gates book series has sold more than 11 million copies worldwide and has been translated into 44 languages. The heavily illustrated novels, in handwritten font with Tom’s doodles and pictures embellishing the text, document in hilarious detail his everyday trials and tribulations at home and school which all kids can relate to.
Lucy Murphy, Director of Kids Content at Sky UK & Ireland, said: “I absolutely love the Tom Gates books! Liz Pichon has a brilliant knack of knowing what kids find funny and engaging and I’m delighted to team up with TG Entertainment to bring Tom’s world to the screen for Sky Kids. I know our audience will love this show and be inspired by Tom and Liz to get crafty and creative.”
Ken Anderson & Arabella Page Croft of TG Entertainment Ltd Executive Producers on Tom Gates, said: “Tom’s world perfectly lends itself to a winning format for TV and, thanks to the tremendous support from the team at Sky Kids, we’re looking forward to delivering a series that is as much fun to watch as it is to work on!”
Liz Pichon, Tom Gates’ creator, said: “This TV show is exactly the kind of programme that I would have LOVED to watch as a kid and been completely obsessed by. It’s going to be funny, fun, bursting with creativity and snacks. All the things kids love about the books and so much more. I am thrilled that Sky have commissioned it (thank you!) and I’m looking forward to bringing the whole world to life with the very talented and hugely enthusiastic team at TG Entertainment.”
Catherine Bell, Co Group MD for Scholastic UK, said: “Liz Pichon is an exceptional talent with a unique comic gift and is an inspirational creative force for children. Her Tom Gates books are a global success and we can’t wait to see them move from page to screen at the start of the exciting 10th anniversary year.”
Screen Scotland’s Jennifer Armitage, said: “TG Entertainment is run by two of Scotland’s most dynamic producers and we are delighted to support this original new series which will be wholly produced in Scotland.”
The Brilliant World of Tom Gates is produced by TG Entertainment Ltd – a company jointly owned by Black Camel Pictures and Wild Child Animation – with additional investment from Screen Scotland. The Executive Producers are Ken Anderson from Wild Child Animation, Arabella Page Croft from Black Camel, author illustrator Liz Pichon, Series Director is George Sawyer, Series Producer is Sueann Rochester and Head Writer on the show is Ben Ward (Horrible Histories) and animation production services are provided by Wild Child Animation. Ian France, Commissioning Editor for Sky Kids, will oversee the production for Sky.
Sky Kids offers families 11 kids’ channels and over 5000 episodes of on demand viewing as well as the Sky Kids app, a safe space for younger kids focussed content, games and art tools with parental controls including a sleep mode so parents can moderate screen time. This is complemented by the pin protected Safe Mode on Sky Q, so there’s no danger of children straying into any areas of content that are not right for them.
For further information contact:
Valerie Taylor
Publicity Consultant
Mob: 07889 666594
About TG Entertainment Limited
TG Entertainment Ltd was set up to produce and manage the audio-visual rights, licensing and merchandising rights based on the best-selling book series The Brilliant World of Tom Gates by Liz Pichon. The company possesses a wealth of knowledge, talent and experience in kids and family entertainment across: TV, film and animation from its award-winning founders and owners, Arabella Page Croft from Black Camel Pictures (Sunshine on Leith and Falling For Figaro) and Ken Anderson from Wild Child Animation (64 Zoo Lane and Dennis and Gnasher).
About Sky
With 24 million customers across seven countries, Sky is Europe’s leading media and entertainment company and is proud to be part of the Comcast group. Our 32,000 employees help connect our customers to the very best entertainment, sports, news, arts and to our own local, original content.
Following the success of Sky originals like Chernobyl, we plan to double our investment in original content by 2024. We’re also developing a new TV and movie studio, Sky Studios Elstree, which is expected to lead to the creation of over 2,000 new jobs and generate an additional £3 billion of production investment in UK creative sector in the first five years alone.
Our technology allows customers to watch what they want, when they want, how they want, and as we connect millions of families to content they love, we believe it is our responsibility to do it safely. That’s why we offer services like Sky Broadband Buddy and the Sky Kids app. And our online streaming service, NOW TV, brings viewers all the enjoyment of Sky with the flexibility of a contract-free service.
We also believe that a company of our scale has a responsibility that goes beyond our business, and into the community. We’re committed to being Europe’s first net zero carbon entertainment company by 2030 – two decades before we have to – and we’re an inclusive employer recognised by The Times and Stonewall for our commitment to diversity. We’re a proud employer – recognised by The Times and Stonewall for our approach to inclusivity.
About Scholastic
For 100 years, Scholastic Corporation (NASDAQ: SCHL) has been encouraging the personal and intellectual growth of all children, beginning with literacy. Having earned a reputation as a trusted partner to educators and families, Scholastic is the world's largest publisher and distributor of children's books, a leading provider of literacy curriculum, professional services, and classroom magazines, and a producer of educational and entertaining children's media. The Company creates and distributes bestselling books and e-books, print and technology-based learning programs for pre-K to grade 12, and other products and services that support children's learning and literacy, both in school and at home. With 15 international operations and exports to 165 countries, Scholastic makes quality, affordable books available to all children around the world through school-based book clubs and book fairs, classroom libraries, school and public libraries, retail, and online. Learn more at www.scholastic.com.
About Screen Scotland
Screen Scotland is the dedicated partnership for screen in Scotland. Sitting within Creative Scotland, it is a partnership with Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Skills Development Scotland, Scottish Funding Council, working in close collaboration with the sector to ensure its success. With funding from Scottish Government and The National Lottery, Screen Scotland is driving the cultural, social and economic development of all aspects of the sector in Scotland, through enhanced funding, services and support. For further information please visit: screen.scot, and follow @screenscots
