October 25th, 2005
Metrostar brings Hat Trick Comedy Trio to Brand Licensing

Metrostar, the new brand licensing company, formed by ex- BBC Worldwide marketer Claire Potter and Steve Deakin-Davies, is bringing Hat Trick Productions’ hit comedy shows ‘Father Ted’, ‘The Kumars at No 42’ and ‘Have I Got News For You’ to Brand Licensing for the first time.

Hat Trick appointed Metrostar as its Licensing Agent earlier this year after internal discussions led them to consider their brands’ potential. Hat Trick’s Group Business Director, Hilary Strong, said:

“I think we're the first independent television producer to look at the programmes we have made in the way other industries do, as brands in their own right, rather than just re-formatting them into DVDs or books.”

‘Father Ted’ remains the most popular comedy ever screened on Channel 4 and is still repeated regularly; six series of ‘The Kumars at No 42’ have been produced for the BBC and ‘Have I Got News For You’ is now in its 31st series.

Potter said,

“These shows have won over 50 television awards between them and are three of our most-loved television brands. DVD sales for ‘Father Ted’ and ‘Have I Got News For You’ in particular are enormous but there has been very little other licensed product available to the vast number of people who love them. So we’re very excited about their licensing potential.”

A greetings card range for all three brands has been launched by Woodmansterne/ Card Mix and a ‘Have I Got News For You’ board game has been created by Susan Prescot Games. DVDs are published by 2entertain.

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Contact Claire Potter, Metrostar, 07989 940181

Notes to Editors:

Metrostar
Metrostar specialises in helping TV companies to generate new revenue streams by licensing their programme brands into consumer products formats. Metrostar also creates and manages web shops which sell TV programme merchandise.

Metrostar’s clients include Hat Trick Productions, Kudos Film and Television, Flextech television and 12 Yard Productions.

Claire Potter began her career at Unilever and has held senior marketing positions with Ladbrokes, BBC Worldwide and the Guardian Media Group.

Steve Deakin-Davies has created and produced intellectual property for 14 years for clients including EMI, Carlton, and Polygram. He has also completed consultancy projects in global distribution and corporate finance for a number of large UK companies.

Hat Trick Productions
Hat Trick Productions is one of the UK’s most successful independent production companies, their output immediately identified with popular and award-winning programming, comedy, drama and entertainment.

Hat Trick’s reputation has flourished not only in the UK but also throughout Europe and in America.

Hat Trick’s programmes have been nominated for every major award in the industry and the company has won more awards for its comedy and entertainment output than any other producer in the history of British broadcasting, except for the BBC.

Have I Got News for You is about to record its 31st series which will air on BBC One this winter. It regularly attracts weekly audiences of over 6 million viewers.

The Kumars at No 42 completed its sixth series this year, transferring to BBC One and attracting average weekly audiences of over 4 million viewers.

Father Ted attracted Channel 4’s largest ever TV audience of 7 million viewers when it launched and is still repeated regularly. Over 1.5 million Father Ted videos and DVDs have been sold.