Turner Broadcasting Europe will set up a new animation studio in London’s Soho district next year. According to various trade reports, this multi-million production arm is the cabler’s biggest British investment in 15 years.
Turner’s senior VP of original series and international development Finn Arnesen will be heading this new toon division, which is slated to open next year and staff around 40 employees who will be working in toons aimed at the European market. The popularity of shows such as Robotboy (which is a co-production with Alphanim) has convinced the folks at Turner Europe that they can be less reliant on American-produced animated offerings.
‘This investment is an excellent opportunity to tap into local talent and expertise which allows us to increase the amount of compelling content for our channels,’ said Finn Arnesen to Variety.
This announcement comes on the heels of British commercial broadcaster ITV announcing that it will close it’s children drama production in June. ITV continues to own the Cosgrove Hall animation studio (The Wind in the Willows, Engie Benjy).
