Major Support Across UK High Street Reflects Grwoing Demand And Strength Of Family Guy Franchise

Twentieth Century Fox Consumer Products (FCP) continues to secure new retail partners to the Family Guy programme as the show’s popularity increases its reach across the EMEA region. In the UK, audience figures continue to grow annually with episodes delivering up to 1.5 million total viewers on BBC3. Driven by strong broadcaster support and record TV ratings, the Family Guy brand has grown from niche to mass retail, with support from high-street fashion stores and grocers. Family Guy has experienced considerable growth over the past year, expanding beyond its core retail channels – HMV, play.com – into high street stores, such as Topman and Primark, as well as grocers. By adopting a dual retail strategy and a tiered creative approach to the brand, FCP is able to satisfy consumer demand from the core fan base alongside the secondary-gift purchaser.

A major initiative for the brand this year is the creation of Family Guy Online, an all-new 3D online multiplayer game experience, launching soon. The free to play browser based online game will give fans the opportunity to enjoy the popular series beyond the television screen and will tap into the crossover between Family Guy fans and gamers in a big way!

In the lead category of apparel, Bravado has renewed its license and continues to gain retail support for its T-shirt range from Tesco and Asda, as well as long-term supporters HMV and play.com. Products from other apparel partners, such as Somerbond (nightwear/loungewear), Roy Lowe (socks) and Brand International (slippers), are available at major high street retailers, including Tesco, River Island and Next. New licensee Poetic Gem has recently signed to supply adult essentials into George at Asda.

In Europe, Family Guy is attracting a growing fan base in the key markets of Germany, Italy, Spain and the Nordic region. Long-term FCP partner, H&M, will continue to introduce new Family Guy apparel lines to high street stores worldwide. Further apparel partners include Contrast and CD Specialisten Rockhouse AB (Nordic), Santex, Fipo and United Labels (Germany, Austria, Switzerland), Boibe (Spain) and Italian Brands (Italy).

“Family Guy boasts one of the most loyal fan bases,” said Carl Lumbard, Senior Vice President and Managing Director, EMEA for Fox Consumer Products. “We are committed to forging new partnerships and delivering new initiatives to satisfy consumer demand through the intelligent use of creative assets and the expansion of our retail reach. This is an exciting time for the Family Guy franchise as we take the brand to a new level in the region.”