Merlin Entertainments has partnered with UK-based media company Wheelhouse to develop a range of original TV programmes inspired by Merlin’s global attractions.
Merlin owns more than 140 attractions in 23 countries, including theme parks like Alton Towers and Thorpe Park, as well as Legoland parks, Sea Life aquariums, and Madame Tussauds sites.
Per a statement, the collaboration will “explore the potential of Merlin’s renowned brands… as well as its famous locations” to create TV programmes across different genres, including reality, documentary and game show.
Wheelhouse is behind various hit series for Netflix, Hulu and Max. The partnership with Merlin will be driven and overseen by Wheelhouse’s chief content officer and president of its UK division, Glenn Hugill.
Scott O’Neil, CEO of Merlin, said: “Currently our guests have to come visit us in person to enjoy the immersiveness of our 140+ theme parks and attractions in 89 cities around the world, but our ambition is to amplify how we bring joy, create connections and make memories for even more than the 62 million guests who visited us in 2023.
“Through creative innovation and storytelling, our partnership with Wheelhouse will allow us to bring a new dimension to our stories, characters and IP on the largest platforms in the world: TV and entertainment programming.
“Wheelhouse understands and loves our brands as much as we do, and our partnership will help to create entertaining TV programmes that spotlight our diversity of experiences to iconic landmarks.”
TV content based on Merlin brands
CEO of Wheelhouse, Brent Montgomery, added: “It’s a great privilege to develop a roster of new programming around Merlin’s world-famous and iconic attractions, and we’re eager to deploy Wheelhouse’s full arsenal of creative and business capabilities in this partnership.
“This is what we’ve built Wheelhouse to do, and with Merlin the possibilities are endless; we’re excited to get to work.”
Dare Ilori, Merlin’s group sustainability director, will speak at greenloop 2024, blooloop’s online conference focusing on sustainability in visitor attractions.
Now in its fourth year, greenloop takes place online on 30 April 2024.
