ITV Studios Global Entertainment is getting ready for the UK premiere of the second season of Thunderbirds Are Go, bringing in new licensing partners and planning special events to help fans get pumped for more puppet animation action. The new 26 x 22 season will debut on ITV and CITV in October, and introduce a new villain called The Mechanic who builds massive, terrifying machines meant to bring chaos to the Thunderbirds’ rescue missions.
Leading UK department store chain Harrods is hosting a dedicated Thunderbirds Are Go installation in its iconic “Toy Kingdom” section now through October 23. Centered around a recreation of the Thunderbird 2 runway on Tracy Island, the zone will have screens playing season 2 trailers and showcase key products including toys from Vivid Imaginations and Spin Master, and vehicle cushions by High Resolution design.
Rainbow Productions will deliver the show’s first costume character, with “Virgil Tracy” set to open three new Smyths Toys Superstores in Longbridge, Bradford and Crawley. Toy retailer The Entertainer will also host meet-and-greets with Virgil Tracy at six stores across the UK during the week of the season premiere, and will run online competitions during October. And Argos will run an exclusive gift-with-purchase offer for Thunderbirds toys in its Christmas gift guide.
Thunderbirds Are Go now boasts over 90 licensing partners worldwide, and in the UK toys continue to perform particularly well. Master toy licensee Vivid Imaginations has recently introduced new additions to its range including a Kayo action figure and Fab 1 Vehicle, and Spin Master will soon launch its Air Hogs RC Thunderbird 2 and a Meccano TB3. New cross-category products launching this autumn/winter include activity books from Simon & Schuster, a baking kit from Symingtons, kids’ watches from London Europe Group, homewares from Worlds Apart and sweets from Beacon Confectionery.
